My favorites to win the 2018 World Cup
For the last few years international football has seen some changes, big upsets, and some footballing nations that didn't qualify for the World Cup. This is a World Cup where it seems that their is no clear favourite to win it, with everyone having different opinions. If I was asked this question, I have three countries in mind who have the best shot. Those teams are Germany, France or Brazil, and I will explain why these teams have the best shot in winning the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Germany:
Despite Die Mannschaft losing some key veteran players after Euro 2016, they have bounced back and have some fresh young players. Currently Germany's first choice keeper is Marc-Andre ter Stegen because Manuel Neuer is recovering from a foot injury. The Barcelona keeper preformed well in the qualifiers with three clean sheets out of the five matches he played. At the back Germany have Mats Hummels who has played in eight qualifying matches, has won 67% of the tackles he has faced and has a 92% pass accuracy rate. Right back Joshua Kimmich has made his mark in the national team as he has played all ten qualifying matches. Kimmich has a 90% pass accuracy rate and scored two goals. Head coach Joachim Low will have a tough decision to make as Die Mannschaft have many world class midfielders who are playing in Europe's top teams. The key player for Germany in the World Cup Qualifiers is PSG midfielder Julian Draxler, as he scored three goals and had an 89% pass accuracy rate. And up front Die Mannschaft have RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner who only played three matches but scored three goals.
France:
As Les Bleus just missed out on winning the Euro 2016 Final, anything other than winning the World Cup will be a disappointment for France. France have a mix of experienced veterans and young talented players who are preforming well for their club teams. In goal, Les Bleus have Hugo Lloris who had a great season for English side Tottenham, and help France win crucial matches. At the back France have Raphael Varane who has won 100% of the tackles he has faced, and has kept a solid back line for Les Bleus. Varane will be a very important player for France in the World Cup. Another key player for France is Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante who has pace and is excellent at winning the ball. Kante will also have the help of Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who scored two goals in the Qualifiers to help France win two crucial matches against the Netherlands and Sweden 1-0 and 2-1. Up front Les Bleus have two world class strikers, Antoine Greizmann and Kylian Mbappe. Greizmann has scored four goals, and had four assists for the Les Bleus. Although Mbappe only scored one goal in the qualifiers, he has been on fire for his club team PSG as he has scored more than 15 goals for French side.
Brazil:
After their struggles at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Copa America, Brazil have remerged as they finished top of the table in the South American World Cup Qualifiers. As Brazil have some of the best midfielders and strikers in the world, Brazil could make a comeback and potentially win their 6th World Cup. AS Roma keeper Alisson was a huge part of Brazil's success in the qualifiers as he had nine clean sheets out of the 16 matches he played, and only concede nine goals. Real Madrid left back Marcelo played a crucial part for Brazil's defence as he kept the back line stable. The player to watch on Brazil's team is Chelsea attacking midfielder Willian. Willian controlled the matches for Brazil and he scored 4 goals and had 5 assists in the qualifiers. Up front Brazil have the striker duo Gebriel Jesus and Neymar who both had a combined total of 13 goals and 12 assists. However since Neymar picked up an injury in February for PSG, he will have to recover very quickly as he is a vital player for Brazil.
Sources
Despite Die Mannschaft losing some key veteran players after Euro 2016, they have bounced back and have some fresh young players. Currently Germany's first choice keeper is Marc-Andre ter Stegen because Manuel Neuer is recovering from a foot injury. The Barcelona keeper preformed well in the qualifiers with three clean sheets out of the five matches he played. At the back Germany have Mats Hummels who has played in eight qualifying matches, has won 67% of the tackles he has faced and has a 92% pass accuracy rate. Right back Joshua Kimmich has made his mark in the national team as he has played all ten qualifying matches. Kimmich has a 90% pass accuracy rate and scored two goals. Head coach Joachim Low will have a tough decision to make as Die Mannschaft have many world class midfielders who are playing in Europe's top teams. The key player for Germany in the World Cup Qualifiers is PSG midfielder Julian Draxler, as he scored three goals and had an 89% pass accuracy rate. And up front Die Mannschaft have RB Leipzig forward Timo Werner who only played three matches but scored three goals.
 |
| Germany celebrates after they win the Confederations Cup in 2017 Image Source: Sky Sports News |
France:
As Les Bleus just missed out on winning the Euro 2016 Final, anything other than winning the World Cup will be a disappointment for France. France have a mix of experienced veterans and young talented players who are preforming well for their club teams. In goal, Les Bleus have Hugo Lloris who had a great season for English side Tottenham, and help France win crucial matches. At the back France have Raphael Varane who has won 100% of the tackles he has faced, and has kept a solid back line for Les Bleus. Varane will be a very important player for France in the World Cup. Another key player for France is Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante who has pace and is excellent at winning the ball. Kante will also have the help of Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who scored two goals in the Qualifiers to help France win two crucial matches against the Netherlands and Sweden 1-0 and 2-1. Up front Les Bleus have two world class strikers, Antoine Greizmann and Kylian Mbappe. Greizmann has scored four goals, and had four assists for the Les Bleus. Although Mbappe only scored one goal in the qualifiers, he has been on fire for his club team PSG as he has scored more than 15 goals for French side.
 |
| Greizmann and his teammates celebrate after he scored a goal against Bulgaria Image Source: Soccer Laduma |
Brazil:
After their struggles at the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Copa America, Brazil have remerged as they finished top of the table in the South American World Cup Qualifiers. As Brazil have some of the best midfielders and strikers in the world, Brazil could make a comeback and potentially win their 6th World Cup. AS Roma keeper Alisson was a huge part of Brazil's success in the qualifiers as he had nine clean sheets out of the 16 matches he played, and only concede nine goals. Real Madrid left back Marcelo played a crucial part for Brazil's defence as he kept the back line stable. The player to watch on Brazil's team is Chelsea attacking midfielder Willian. Willian controlled the matches for Brazil and he scored 4 goals and had 5 assists in the qualifiers. Up front Brazil have the striker duo Gebriel Jesus and Neymar who both had a combined total of 13 goals and 12 assists. However since Neymar picked up an injury in February for PSG, he will have to recover very quickly as he is a vital player for Brazil.
 |
| Coutinho is celebrating a goal that he scored against Peru Image Source: IOL Sport |
Sources
- https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2016-2017/man-of-the-year-ngolo-kante-an-unbroken-story-of-excellence_sto5995175/story.shtml
- Onefootball App
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment