The third of our World Cup Ones to watch: Groups E and F

Friday 13 Jun 2014
Paul Pogba of France

The World Cup is well now well and truly underway and with another hat-trick of games on Friday.

Mexico v Cameroon, Spain v Holland and Chile v Australia keep the festival of football flowing - but who will be the stars of the show in Brazil?

We continue our Ones to Watch series as we take a look at eight more potential superstars.

Group E

France – Paul Pogba

The Juventus midfielder was captain as France won their first ever Under-20 World Cup last year and he will want to have a similar impact on the senior tournament.

After leaving Manchester United in 2012, the 21-year-old has won back-to-back Serie A titles.

10 Caps/2 goals (as of 2 June)

Switzerland – Granit Xhaka

Emerging from the Basel academy at the same time as Xherdan Shaqiri, the then Basel Manager Thorsten Fink believed Xhaka was the more talented of the two.

The 21-year-old could have played for Albania, but chose Switzerland and made his debut against England in 2011.

25 Caps/4 goals (as of 2 June)

Jefferson Montero of Ecuador

Jefferson Montero of Ecuador

 


Ecuador – Jefferson Montero

After failing to make the grade at Villarreal, the winger is now playing his football in Mexico with Morelia.

After being left out of the squad for the 2011 Copa America, the 24-year-old will be hoping to shine at his first major tournament.

39 Caps/8 goals (as of 2 June)


Honduras – Emilio Izaguirre

After joining Celtic in 2010 for £600,000, the left-back went on to be voted the Scottish Football Writers’ Player of the Year.

The 28-year-old will be hoping his experience can help Honduras secure their first ever win at a World Cup.

67 Caps/1 goal (as of 2 June)

 
 
Group F

Argentina – Angel di Maria

A man-of-the-match performance in the Champions League final rounded off an impressive season for the 26-year-old. 

The midfielder scored 12 goals and laid on 24 assists, double the number he managed during the 2012/13 campaign.

45 Caps/ 9 goals (as of 2 June)

Emmanuel Emenike of Nigeria

Emmanuel Emenike of Nigeria

 


Nigeria – Emmanuel Emenike

The top goalscorer from last year’s Africa Cup of Nations will be pivotal to Nigeria’s success. 

The 27-year-old striker also scored 11 league goals for Fenerbache last season as they won the Turkish title for the first time since 2011.

21 Caps/10 goals (as of 2 June)


Bosnia and Herzegovina – Miralem Pjanic

The attacking midfielder was a key part of the Roma side which finished runners-up in Serie A last season.

He represented Luxembourg at youth level and once scored four goals against Belgium, before deciding to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina’s senior side.

47 Caps/8 goals (as of 2 June)


Iran – Javad Nekounam

Despite being 33, Nekounam remains pivotal to the Iran national side.

The midfielder was runner-up in the Asian Footballer of the Year award in 2013 and has already played in two World Cups.

139 Caps/ 37 goals (as of 2 June)

By FA Staff