A Player to Watch on Each of the 32 Teams at the 2022 World Cup (Part III)
GROUP E
Spain
Pedri (CM) #21, Barcelona
Spain are masters of possession and passing. Throughout their history, they’ve produced world-class midfielders like Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, and Alonso. That golden age of Spanish football may be over (although 34-year-old Busquets is somehow still playing at a high level), but Spain keeps churning out midfield talents like Gavi and Pedri.
The 19-year-old Pedri, in particular, will be an exciting talent to watch at the World Cup. But the first impression of Pedri will be surprising to some unfamiliar with his game. He’s extremely light at a mere 63 kg, and people may wonder how this man is a professional footballer.
But in terms of technical skills and the way he sees the game, he’s a genius. He’s astute in not only the build-up play for Spain and Barcelona but also in the chance creation aspect. Already at such a young age, Pedri will be a key cog in the Spanish midfield.
The problem with Spain is relatively simple. Who’s going to finish off the chances that the Spain midfield will undoubtedly generate? Will it be Morata? Rodrigo? Asensio?
Key stat- Pedri has completed 90.3% of his passes in La Liga, including an absurd 87.4% of his long passes.
Costa Rica
Keylor Navas (GK) #1, PSG
Navas at 35 is no longer in his prime and has largely been relegated to the bench this term for PSG. But why is he the player to watch for Costa Rica? The answer is simple. When he plays, he’s still a class goalkeeper.
At PSG, he’s behind Donnarumma who is one of the best goalkeepers in the world. When you take a look at Navas’ stats over the past two seasons, he’s still very much a quality goalkeeper.
In the 2020–21 to 2021–22 seasons, he has a combined 133 saves on 170 shots faced. That’s about a 78% save percentage and among the best in Ligue 1. That percentage would put Navas as the sixth-best goalkeeper in Ligue 1 this season (>10 appearances).
Key stat- In his last ten international appearances, Costa Rica has only lost once, winning eight of them.
Germany
Joshua Kimmich (DM/RB), Bayern Munich
Kimmich will be going to Qatar as one of the leaders of this German team. He is an amazingly versatile player in that he can play at fullback and in the midfield. His primary position nowadays is at defensive midfield for both Bayern Munich and the national team.
But don’t let his versatility fool you. He is not just a mere utility player who occasionally plays at different positions when the situation calls for it. Kimmich is one of the first names -if not the first- on the German starting XI.
With the technical ability of a midfielder and a defender’s aggression and toughness, Kimmich is one of the most complete footballers in world football.
He’s had double digits in assists for Bayern in four out of the past five seasons (excluding the present one). He also averages 2.3 tackles and 1.7 interceptions in the Bundesliga. For a team that will be missing Toni Kroos who retired from international play after Euro 2020, Kimmich will be vital.
Key stat- Insane passing stats for Kimmich: 99th percentile in assists (0.35 per 90), 99th percentile in shot-creating actions (5.64 per 90), 99th percentile in passes attempted (93.26 per 90), AND 99th percentage in progressive passes (8.75). Of course, the numbers may be slightly skewed from the Bayern Munich Effect, but it’s still very impressive.
Japan
Kaoru Mitoma (LW) #18, Brighton & Hove Albion
Many EPL fans know Japanese players like Tomiyasu at Arsenal or former Liverpool winger Minamino, but not many know about tricky Brighton winger Mitoma. At Brighton, he has only made eleven appearances so far, playing in only 419 minutes.
He hasn’t had as much consistent production for Brighton as he has for Japan, but he’s starting to round into form. Over the past few weeks, Mitoma has grabbed an assist against Chelsea, a goal against Wolves, and then recently scored against Arsenal in the EFL Cup.
Interestingly enough, Mitoma was only called up last November by the Japanese national team. For someone who doesn’t play a whole lot of consistent football, he has been impressive with his clinical finishing and skillful dribbling.
Japan are in a very tough group with the likes of Spain and Germany, so players like Mitoma and Minamino could be crucial. Their speed and dribbling skills could be useful on the counter for Japan.
Key stat- In just nine caps for the Samurai Blue, Mitoma has scored five goals.
GROUP F
Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne (AM) #7, Manchester City
Time is running out for the “golden generation” of Belgium to win a major international trophy. The backbone of much of their team is 30 and over.
Hazard is 31, Vertonghen 35, Mertens 35, Alderweireld 33, Witsel 33, Meunier 31, Courtois 30, and De Bruyne 31. Even players like Lukaku and Batshuayi are 29. It’s time for them to rise to the challenge.
De Bruyne is arguably one of the best midfielders of this generation. His directness and ability to spot a pass are second to none. He’s been unbelievably productive for Manchester City. According to the Premier League website, KDB has 60 goals and 95 assists in 224 career EPL matches.
Just take a look at how good he’s been for City this season. I’ll let the stats speak for themselves.
Key stat- Um, do we really need any more stats for De Bruyne?
Canada
Alphonso Davies (LB/LM) #19, Bayern Munich
It was hard to choose between Davies and striker Jonathan David, who is on fire in Ligue 1 this season (nine goals and three assists in 15 appearances for Lille). But Davies is a special player.
At Bayern Munich, he’s been primarily utilized as a left back while for Canada he’s played all over the pitch. In his international career so far, he’s played at LB, LM, LW, AM, and even at CF. Some may think of Gareth Bale in this regard.
A winger by trade, Davies is a gifted dribbler, creative, and extremely quick. His explosive pace and ability to make attacking runs from left back for Bayern is vital for their play.
Like Christian Eriksen, Davies also had a heart condition and feared he would not be able to play anymore. Thankfully, he will be fine to play in the World Cup.
Key stat- Davies has 12 goals and 17 assists for Canada in 34 international caps.
Morocco
Achraf Hakimi (RB) #2, PSG
Still just 23, the pacy and energetic Hakimi has already played for some of the best clubs in the world: Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Dortmund, and now PSG. Hakimi likes to make marauding runs into the attacking third for PSG, as evidenced by his 2.95 touches per 90 in the opposing penalty box. That’s good for the 97th percentile among all right backs in the European big five leagues.
His attacking forays will be critical for Morocco, especially against sides with a high line. His insane acceleration and speed allow him to break through defenses on overlaps.
He helped lead Morocco to the quarter-finals in AFCON, where ultimately they fell to Salah’s Egyptian side. Hakimi provided an assist in that game. In that same tournament, Hakimi also scored two direct free kicks.
Key stat- From the 19/20 season to the 21/22 season, Hakimi has scored 16 goals and added another 26 assists in league play across three different countries (Germany, Italy, and France). He’s proven himself to be one of the most productive right backs in the world.
Croatia
Luka Modric (CM/AM)#10, Real Madrid
Croatia was the runner-up in the 2018 World Cup, eventually losing to France 4–2 in the final. This will be Croatian captain and legend Luka Modric’s last World Cup.
Croatia and Belgium will be favored to progress past the group stages, but it will not be easy. Group F will be a tricky group, with sides that have clear star quality. And Modric is one such star. He’s been the backbone of both the Croatian and Real Madrid midfield for years.
At 37 Modric isn’t the same dribbler he was in his prime. But the diminutive midfield maestro is still able to dominate games just with his intelligence and awareness.
He also has an innate ability to maintain possession and make defense-splitting passes. According to FBref, he’s in the 96th percentile of assists per 90 (0.28) as well as the 96th percentile in progressive passes per 90 (5.79).
Key stats- Led Croatia to a solid showing at the Nations League, finishing top of their group. Modric scored two goals in the group stage, including a game-winner against France.
Next up:
Groups G and H
Sources:
https://www.premierleague.com/players/4288/Kevin-De-Bruyne/stats
transfermarkt.com
whoscored.com
fbref.com
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