The world Cup is only around the corner, who’s going to win?
Argentina?
Argentina have a great chance this year, they have players like Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Napoli) and Ezequiel Lavezzi (Paris Saint-Germain). This Argentine side can cause some defenders problems as the strike force speaks for itself, so good that they haven’t included Juventus striker Carlos Teves, having had a good first season with Juventus scoring 21 goals in 49 appearances. With Messi, Aguero, Higuain and Lavezzi, Teves wouldn’t have been guaranteed to start in the world cup even if he was selected.
Player to watch
Sergio Aguero has had a great year with Man City this season scoring 28 goals in 34 appearances for the club making him this years leading top goal scorer at the club.
Star man
Lionel Messi has struggled with injuries this season and hasn’t had as good a season as some Barcelona fans would have wanted. Messi just missed out on the ballon d’or with Cristiano Ronaldo just edging it. With Messi now fully fit I expect him to kick start his season with a great world cup and I wouldn’t be surprised if he gets golden boot.
Germany?
Germany also have a good chance, they have bags full of talent throughout the squad, their midfield in my opinion is one of the best in the world cup and that could prove to be the deciding factor. They have players like Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Philipp Lahm.
Player to watch
The player to watch for Germany is Toni Kroos, he’s had a fantastic season with Bayern Munich and is attracting a lot of interest from premier league clubs such as Manchester United and Arsenal.
Star man
People might disagree with me on this one but I’m saying Mesut Ozil, he hasn’t had the best of seasons with Arsenal this season, he moved to the premier league for a staggering 42 million, with more time and more games I believe he will become a good asset and will be a big fan’s favourite up there. He’s been consistent with Germany, in the last world cup he was arguably Germany’s best player and he caught Real Madrid’s eyes, I think Arsenal fans are going to see the real Ozil in the world cup and this could push him on next season.
Spain?
I think Spain will win it this year they have the best midfield in the tournament and I don’t think anyone can argue with that, they play the best football and they will cause teams problems with their passing. They are a clever team they make teams physically and mentally tired, well known for making teams chase the ball and find openings which is really good on the eye.
Player to watch
Diego Costa has had a fantastic season with Atletico Madrid and there’s a deal in place for him to join Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in the summer, the question on my mind is can he be as effective in the world cup as he has been in the Spanish league this season.
Star man
The star man for Spain is Xavi he’s known around the world for his passing and work rate, Xavi is now 34 and this could be the last world cup he plays in and I think his team will win it with him in the midfield pulling the strings.
Brazil?
Brazil have a really good chance to win it because they are hosting the world cup and they will be backed heavily by their fans, they have a lot of quality throughout the squad and it’s there for everyone to see, players like Oscar, David Luiz, Willian, Hulk and Neymar tells you how good Brazil are.
Player to watch
The player to watch is Paulinho the spurs man hasn’t made much of an impression in the premier league this season, he joined spurs with a big reputation but as of yet he hasn’t delivered and it’s going to be interesting to watch and see how good he can be in a big tournament like the world cup.
Star man
The star man is Neymar, he’s had a great season with Barcelona with Messi being injured for parts of the season the pressure has been on Neymar to deliver and he did, he hasn’t got Messi to compete with him to be the main man so that’s why I think hes going to be the star man.
Uruguay?
I think Uruguay will go far in this tournament they have quality going forward with Luis Suarez (Liverpool), Edinson Cavani (Paris Saint-Germain) and Christian Rodriguez (Atletico Madrid).
Player to watch
The player to watch is Gaston Ramirez he hasn’t had a lot of game time this season for southampton, spending most part of the season on the bench. With Adam Lallana reportedly attracting interest from Liverpool, Ramirez could find himself being a regular starter next season at southampton if liverpool were agree the sale of Lallana with Southampton. I think Ramirez needs to have a good world cup to show Southampton fans that he’s there and willing to play.
Star man
Star man is Luis Suarez, last season he just missed out on player of the season with Gareth Bale just edging it but this year he’s been superb with his goals and assists has helped Liverpool to get into the champions league by finishing second. I think he will push on from his good season and will cause teams such as England problems in the world cup.
England?
I would like to think England could win the world cup but I don’t think we have a chance, there are a lot of teams that are better and have better quality in their squads. I think England have got good quality in midfield and upfront but the defence is a massive worry for me, we have a hard group in Italy and Uruguay and players like Luis Suarez, Mario Balotelli and Edinson Cavani they will cause our defence problems.
Player to watch
Raheem Sterling is the player to watch for England, he’s had a fantastic season with Liverpool and has caused a lot of defences problems with his pace and power. The world cup is a massive tournament and there’s a lot of great players so its going to be a big test for Sterling with only being 19 there’s going to be a lot of pressure on his shoulder to deliver. The question on my mind is can he deliver on the big stage?.
Star man
People might disagree with me on this but I’m going for Daniel Sturridge again what a season he has had at Liverpool he’s formed a brilliant partnership with Luis Suarez, he’s scored 24 goals in 33 appearances. I think if we can give him the service from midfield with Gerrard and whoever is to partner Gerrard in the middle can get him the service then that will be the best chance with have of going far.
I will touch on England a bit more, I am happy with most of the squad selections accept one, which is Andy Carroll; he’s a different option all together if you compare him to Ricky Lambert. Yes, Lambert has had a good season with Southampton and has scored goals, but for me there’s not many as good as Andy Carroll in the air. Andy Carroll has spent most of the season injured and since coming back hasn’t done too much but over the last few years he’s showed what he is about and that should be enough to warrant a place on the plane to Brazil.
It’s a hard group to get out of and if you’re going to win a world cup then you’re going to have to beat the top teams it’s simple as that, we need big performances from the players to give the country something to be proud off.
Good luck England!
