Five struggling stars who need a big World Cup
FT Desk
- Updated: 20 Nov 2022 15:43 GMT
- 5 min read
The World Cup is now underway.
The main focus will be on the teams fighting it out for glory – with the Brazil, Argentina, France, England, Germany and Portugal among the main contenders.
But there is also a big transfer element to the World Cup. Lesser-known players have the chance to showcase themselves on the biggest stage and earn a move to a big club.
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Meanwhile, players who are going through difficult times for their clubs have a chance to put themselves in the transfer gaze, as well.
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Here are five players who need a big World Cup for this reason.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The most high-profile footballer who needs a big World Cup in order to reignite his club career is, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 37-year-old is certain to leave Man Utd after his bombshell interview with Piers Morgan, in which he slammed high-profile figures at the club.
Ronaldo initially issued a transfer request back in July, demanding to join a Champions League club who could challenge for major trophies.
Chelsea and Real Madrid have both been linked with signing him on a free transfer but right now there is no concrete interest in him
He also has been a bit-part player for Man Utd so far this season, scoring just one Premier League goal.
A big World Cup can show everyone just how valuable he remains.
Memphis Depay (Netherlands)
Memphis Depay signed for Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer of 2021 from Lyon, penning a two-year contract.
However, he has endured a miserable time at Camp Nou and has never nailed down a first-team place. This season he has played just 203 minutes of football, scoring one goal.
He was available for sale this past summer and was in advanced negotiations with Juventus. However, his excessive wage demands scuppered a move.
Depay will surely consider a transfer again in January, with Juventus and Roma interested.
Depay is a key player for Holland and can demonstrate his quality with a good tournament.
Alex Sandro (Juventus)
Juventus have six players who will leave the club on a free transfer at the end of the 2022-23 season unless they sign new contracts.
These are third goalkeeper Carlo Pinsoglio, right-back Juan Cuadrado, centre-back Daniele Rugani, left-back Alex Sandro, midfielder Adrien Rabiot and attacking midfielder Angel Di Maria.
One player who will certainly leave is Alex Sandro. The Brazilian has declined badly in recent years, is on big wages and is now 31.
But for Brazil, his form has generally been good. Available on a free transfer next July, this is Alex Sandro’s chance to find himself one last big move in his career.
Denis Zakaria (Chelsea)
Denis Zakaria joined Chelsea on loan for the season towards the end of the summer, but his move has been a bit of a disaster so far.
He has played just one game for the club, a dead rubber in the Champions League.
Zakaria was signed by former manager Thomas Tuchel when he was still at the club but after his sacking his chances have been even more limited.
The World Cup gives Zakaria the chance to play regularly and show Chelsea – or Juventus if the Blues try and send him back as reported in January – that he deserves to play more.
Harry Maguire (Man Utd)
The last year or so has been a miserable one for Harry Maguire.
The centre-back’s form has declined so badly that he has lost his place in the Manchester United starting XI, with Erik ten Hag preferring Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane.
Maguire has started just four games in all competitions for Man Utd. He has been error-prone and has been affected by the constant criticism from fans and the media.
He even went on a run of 10 games without winning a game in which he started.
But Maguire retains the trust of England manager Gareth Southgate and a good World Cup can resurrect his club career. At Euro 2020, he was one of the best defenders in the tournament. He will hope for the same in Qatar.
