A flurry of players change clubs after a World Cup. Many would have been on the move regardless. Others become the centre of transfer rumours on the back of their World Cup performances.
Of course, this usually takes place in the summer window. On this occasion, it is the January window, midway through the European club season, when clubs will be swooping for World Cup stars.
Who makes our 2022 World Cup Team of the Tournament?@SteTudor123 picks his Best XI from Qatar 2022 - do you agree with his squad?https://t.co/cRbkMIlaMP
— 888sport (@888sport) December 19, 2022
Euros have been added to transfer fees, putting selling clubs in a far stronger than they were a few weeks ago. Not all of these players will be on the move, but each of these 10 are bound to attract interest.
Joško Gvardiol, RB Leipzig
Unquestionably one of the best players at the 2022 World Cup, Joško Gvardiol has drawn comparisons to Vincent Kompany, Virgil van Dijk and various other central defensive greats.
Chelsea have long been considered the frontrunners for Gvardiol, but the Blues have plenty of company in the race with Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and others interested.
Gvardiol has the potential to be a club-changing signing wherever he ends up. He’s that good.
Enzo Fernández, Benfica
Named Young Player of the Tournament, 21-year-old Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernández wins an award previously given to Paul Pogba, Franz Beckenbauer, Pelé and Kylian Mbappé.
Fernández was a substitute for the first two matches, but his goal against Mexico earned a place in the XI which he never relinquished.
Manchester United have been rumoured as suitors in the past. Newcastle and Liverpool could also be in the mix to activate his £105 million release clause.
Harry Souttar, Stoke City
At the heart of one of the biggest betting upsets in the group stage, Harry Souttar entered the World Cup with minimal football of late due to an injury, but there were no signs of rust.
Of players to play 360 or more minutes, only four registered more clearances per 90 than Souttar.
Willing to put his body on the line, Souttar also exhibited superb passing range. Spreading the play and acting as a springboard for the Aussies when they had possession, Stoke are bound to field calls about their towering central defender.
Azzedine Ounahi, Angers
Massive outsiders in World Cup winner odds before the tournament, Morocco were (outside of the final) the story of the 2022 World Cup. Azzedine Ounahi was one of their stars.
Ounahi is currently playing for Angers, who are bottom of Ligue 1 with just eight points on the board.
He was the tournament’s biggest surprise performer, competent with his defensive work and influential in possession, especially putting pressure on the defence with his ball carrying. Only seven players drew more fouls in Qatar.
Leeds, Leicester, Wolves, Newcastle and West Ham have all been mentioned as landing spots.
Sofyan Amrabat, Fiorentina
Liverpool and Tottenham appear to be at the front of the queue to sign Sofyan Amrabat. Like Ounahi, the Fiorentina midfielder was integral to Morocco’s success, albeit in a different role.
🗣️ “He’s an absolutely brilliant player. He was the stand out player in the Moroccan team. The transfer window is opening soon, I would not be surprised if there were some bids especially from Premier League clubs.”@SkyKaveh says he can see Sofyan Amrabat getting a transfer 💰 pic.twitter.com/Sn9IFtsuY3
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 19, 2022
Amrabat’s work was not as eye-catching as Ounahi, yet he was the heartbeat of the Morocco midfield which frustrated Belgium, Croatia, Spain and Portugal. Still only 26 years old, Amrabat’s best years are ahead of him as a deep-lying midfielder.
While his passing was not his key attribute at this World Cup, he has shown for Fiorentina that he can pick out teammates in advanced positions with 5.98 progressive passes per 90.
Randal Kolo Muani, Eintracht Frankfurt
Included in the France squad after Christopher Nkunku’s injury, Randal Kolo Muani had made just two appearances for Les Bleus prior to the World Cup.
Effective substitute outings against Morocco and Argentina saw the Eintracht Frankfurt forward garner praise, even if his final performance will be remembered for missing a crucial chance.
Tottenham, Liverpool and Bayern Munich have already been linked with Kolo Muani, who has 14 goal involvements in 13 Bundesliga starts this term.
Cody Gakpo, PSV Eindhoven
Prior to the World Cup, Cody Gakpo was reportedly a transfer target for Manchester United after Cristiano Ronaldo’s unseemly departure.
Scorer of three goals in Qatar, Gakpo’s reputation continued to grow despite the Netherlands’ quarter-final exit.
Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United but what is next for the Portugal star after the World Cup?
— 888sport (@888sport) November 23, 2022
✍️ Join @FabrizioRomano as he pens his thoughts on CR7 and his Old Trafford exit.https://t.co/8WIgBbnzce
Even after flourishing under Louis van Gaal, there are some doubts about Gakpo’s role at Manchester United. He probably isn’t a striker long-term, nor does he project as an effective winger.
With PSV Eindhoven keen to retain their star man, it will be interesting to see if a deal gets done in January.
Dominik Livaković, Dinamo Zagreb
Pipped to the Golden Glove by Emiliano Martinez, Dominik Livaković still had a spectacular World Cup.
Using post-shot expected goals, Livaković was the most effective goalkeeper at the tournament on aggregate and ranked joint-fourth on a per 90 basis.
Named Croatian Best Goalkeeper in each of the last four years, and included in the Europa League Squad of the Season in 2020-21, Livaković has already attracted interest from Bayern Munich following Manuel Neuer’s injury.
He was reportedly offered to Leicester last summer for around £9 million.
Rafael Leão, Milan
Chelsea were pursuing Rafael Leão before a ball was kicked in Qatar, and their chase shows no sign of slowing down.
Leão was limited to 83 minutes across five substitute appearances for Portugal, but he made an impact off the bench on multiple occasions, including a couple of goals.
A direct and gifted ball carrier, Leão has 10 goal involvements in 12 Serie A starts this season. Any club considering a move for the Portuguese winger will need to cough up around £100 million.
João Félix, Atletico Madrid
The focus of transfer rumours during every window, João Félix has been suggested as a target for Arsenal, Aston Villa, Manchester United and PSG this January.
He played 333 World Cup minutes, scoring against Ghana and assisting two in the hammering of Switzerland, when he was seemingly invigorated by Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence.
Félix has been on the scene for a long time, and it’s several years since his big money move to Atletico Madrid. Still only 23 years old, however, a change of scenery, and a fresh start away from Diego Simeone, could be what he needs.
