Monday, June 23, 2014

Five affordable World Cup stars that may have caught Aitor Karanka's eye


The World Cup presents the perfect opportunity for lesser-known players to put themselves in the shop window for a move




The race for the Golden Boot at the World Cup currently reads like a who's who of global stars.


Benzema, Van Persie, Robben, Neymar, Messi - the list goes on.


But as well as the world's finest performing on the global stage, the World Cup presents the perfect opportunity for those lesser-known players, plying a trade in those leagues not so established, to put themselves in the shop window for a move.


And while it may be Suarez who is subject of the annual Real Madrid summer flirt with an in-form star and Balotelli and Costa continue to be linked with big-money moves, the tournament hasn't been short of the unfancied nations springing some real surprises, led by players who aren't exactly household names.


We've taken a closer look at five more affordable players who have impressed on the world stage.


Could any of these tempt Aitor Karanka into making a move this summer?


Enner Valencia:


Wedged between Robin Van Persie and Arjen Robben in the race for the Golden Boot is Enner Valencia, a previously unheard of 25-year-old striker who has taken the World Cup by storm.


The Ecuadorian plays his football for Mexican top division side Pachuca where he hit 18 goals in just 23 games since joining in January this year.


That club form has continued on the international stage with Valencia's goals putting Ecuador in a great position to reach the last 16.


But his form isn't going unnoticed with reports suggesting English Premier League clubs already have their eye on the front-man.


Valencia may well be striking his way into a move to Europe this summer at a price tag certainly more affordable than many of the other strikers who join him in the chase to be the World Cup's top scorer.


Muhamed Besic:


The much-fancied Bosnia and Herzegovina may be on an early flight back home after two defeats from two but it hasn't prevented some of their stars from shining on the big stage.


When Muhamed Besic left Hamburg in the competitive German league to join Hungarian side Ferencváros TC in 2012, he may have feared his international hopes would take a hit.


But the 21-year-old who is at home in defence or midfield has excelled for his national side in Brazil - even when he was handed the most daunting task in world football of man-marking Lionel Messi when Bosnia came up against Argentina in the World Cup opener.


Messi may have hit the winner in that game and Bosnia may find themselves pointless unless they get a result against Iran on Wednesday but Besic has still shown his class in the midfield role.


In fact, Boro's Championship rivals Cardiff City have already expressed an interest in Besic this summer.


Portugal's Miguel Veloso, right, and United States' Graham Zusi


Abdelmoumene Djabou:


As Algeria stand on the brink of reaching the knock-out stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history, 27-year-old Djabou has certainly played his part in the African nation's impressive showing.


The attacking midfielder who plays for Tunisian side Club Africain hit the third goal in a manic 12 minute first half spell which left South Korea shell-shocked and heading for an early exit when the sides met on Monday.


With just nine international caps to his name, the probing midfielder will hope Algeria complete their impressive group campaign by getting the minimum one point they need against Russia in their final match.


If they do, Djabou and the rest of the Algeria players may well find themselves subject to some interest from watching scouts in the stand.


Kim Shin-Wook:


A Korean striker with a respectable goalscoring record in his domestic league. It's enough to make Boro fans shudder with unforgettable memories of Lee Dong Gook's no-shows still lingering fresh in the minds of many.


But towering Korean forward Kim Shin-Wook poses quite the threat in the opposition box. The 6ft 5" 26-year-old has a goalscoring record of better than one in every three games for his club side Ulsan Hyundai.


His international record isn't as impressive and although Shin-Wook played a pivotal role in South Korea's World Cup qualifying campaign he has been limited to appearances off the bench during the tournament.


He caused enough panic in the Algeria defence when he was brought on with Korea chasing the game on Sunday to demonstrate how he can be used as a dangerous weapon and may turn the heads of scouts sent to Brazil to keep their eyes out for a target man.


Graham Zusi:


He may have had to settle for a place on the bench in USA's World Cup opener but Graham Zusi soon had an impact on the game when he was brought on with just 13 minutes to play.


It was the 27-year-old midfielder who swung in the corner from which USA snatched a late winner against Ghana.


And Zusi impressed again on Sunday after being thrust in from the start against Portugal following his cameo in the opening match.


The set-piece specialist who plays for Kei Kamara's former club Sporting Kansas City had an unsuccessful trial with West Ham ahead of last season.


But he has established himself as a regular in the USA squad, making 24 appearances for the national side since 2012.


More Gazette World Cup coverage:


The 55 players to have played or managed Boro that have been to a World Cup


Boro's proxy World Cup wonders: Germany's Schweinsteiger was a one-time target


How Boro almost became shop window for Chile striker


When Boro almost ended up with Brazil striker Fred as well as Afonso Alves



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