The World Cup always makes a star and this World Cup has been no different so far. A few unknown faces and a few relatively unknown faces have been making an impact. Here is a look at 5 players you may not have known before the 2014 World Cup who could now be on for a move to a bigger club:
1. Guillermo Ochoa (Free transfer & Mexico)
The Mexico goalkeeper so far has the longest streak in the World Cup without conceding a goal. They were 3-0 up on Croatia and 266 minutes without conceding a goal in Brazil before Ivan Perišić scored from close range after a cheeky flick from Ivan Rakitić gave him space to find the net. He had caught everyone’s attention in the 0-0 draw with Brazil previously after pulling off a string of excellent saves.
Guillermo Ochoa has been impressing in the French Ligue 1 over the past three seasons with AC Ajaccio. The 28-year old saw his contract expire at the end of the season following his side’s relegation.
Both Paris Saint-Germain and AS Monaco have been strongly-linked to the goalkeeper who said pre-tournament he wants to find a club in France. Arsenal and Liverpool are also linked means he can expect to be at a UEFA Champions League side next season.
2. Enner Valencia (Pachuca & Ecuador)
Ecuador’s main striker has scored 3 goals in his first two matches at Brazil 2014 and is on a run of seven goals in his six games at international level including one against England in a pre-tournament friendly.
Enner Valencia only left his native Ecuador to move to Mexican side Pachuca in January where he ended up scoring 18 goals in 23 league games. Now he is reportedly being chased by a handful of Premier League sides.
3. Daley Blind (Ajax & Netherlands)
The 24-year old son of Danny has had an excellent start to the World Cup along with the Netherlands in general who are three wins from three ahead of their second round match against Mexico.
It was Daley Blind’s 50+ yard pass that set up Robin van Persie’s amazing diving header to equalise against Spain before they went on to win 5-1. The Ajax full-back has recorded 3 assists so far in this tournament, matched only by Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado. Two of the three goals conceded have been from the penalty spot so the defensive unit are doing a good job at the back too.
4. Memphis Depay (PSV Eindhoven & Netherlands)
The 20-year old pacey left winger from PSV Eindhoven has stamped his name down on the competition with 2 goals and 1 assist in two substitute appearances (63 minutes) so far at the 2014 World Cup.
Memphis Depay will find it difficult to start a game with Arjen Robben but he has already attracted the attention of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur reportedly. And given that his national team coach Louis van Gaal is on his way to Manchester United after the World Cup, if he’s genuinely interested in bringing him across to Old Trafford you’ve got to like his chances.
5. Serge Aurier (Toulouse & Ivory Coast)
Like Daley Blind in this list also bombing up and down the wing, Serge Aurier has done similar on the opposite flank in Ivory Coast’s unsuccessful attempt to progress past the group stage in a third successive World Cup.
Serge Aurier has been energetic and also provided the two crosses for both of Ivory Coast’s goals in their come-from-behind victory over Japan in their first match. He has also won possession back for his country on a number of occasions in this tournament. Arsenal have been linked to Aurier as Bacary Sagna’s replacement for a while now, whilst Queens Park Rangers have shown interest during the World Cup.
