JUDE BELLINGHAM, AZZEDINE OUNAHI, CODY GAKPO – EUROPE’S 10 EMERGING TALENTS WHO THRIVED AT WORLD CUP IN QATAR

More than a football tournament, the World Cup is a fantastic opportunity for players to showcase their talents on the biggest stage of all.

In just a matter of weeks, a player can put together a run of performances that can help both their profile and value skyrocket as new stars are propelled into the footballing elite.

Of course, there is no guarantee of success beyond a good tournament showing, but there’s no doubting that eye-catching displays at the show of shows could lead to bigger and better things.

Here is a look at some of the players from European clubs we expect to go from strength to strength following their exploits in Qater.

ENZO FERNANDEZ – BENFICA

Enzo Fernandez

Image credit: Getty Images

The 21-year-old Benfica midfielder blasted his way into the public consciousness with a sensational goal to seal Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Mexico at the World Cup. From here, Fernandez played a key role in his country’s eventual triumph in Qatar and was named young player of the tournament in the process.

Despite only moving to Portugal in the summer, the big names are already being linked with the player with the likes of Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid all said to be sniffing around.

JOSKO GVARDIOL – RB LEIPZIG

Josko Gvardiol

Image credit: Getty Images

Fans of old-school WWE wrestling may have noticed the visual similarities between the masked, bearded Croatian defender and 90s grappling star ‘Mankind’, although that’s where the similarities end.

While the latter was more known for reckless brutality, the 20-year-old RB Leipzig defender is cool, calm and collected in everything he does.

A wonderful passer and reader of the game, Gvardiol was instrumental as Croatia reached the final four and it’s little wonder the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are strongly linked with the player.

MOHAMMED KUDUS – AJAX

Mohammed Kudus of Ghana celebrates with teammates after scoring their team’s third goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Korea Republic and Ghana at Education City Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Image credit: Getty Images

Although Ghana’s World Cup journey didn’t progress beyond the group stage, Mohammed Kudos was one of the Black Stars players who could come away from Qatar with his head held high.

The Ajax midfielder was in impressive form in the defeat to Portugal and scored twice in the win over South Korea to show exactly why he has garnered interest from a number of Premier League clubs, and the fact the Dutch side will be looking at upwards of £40m to let him leave.

AZZEDINE OUNAHI – ANGERS

Azzedine Ounahi

Image credit: Getty Images

Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the World Cup opened the eyes of the world to the talent in their squad, none more so than 22-year-old Ounahi.

The midfielder, whose all-energy, all-action displays were key to the Atlas Lions’ run to the final four will likely not stick around Ligue 1 basement boys Angers, who themselves might take the opportunity to cash in on their star – especially with the likes of cash-rich Newcastle reportedly interested in the player.

ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER – BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Alexis Mac Allister

Image credit: Getty Images

The fixation on the origins of his Gaelic name have perhaps done something of a disservice to his ability as a player, with the Brighton midfielder not looking out of place alongside team-mates Lionel Messi, Rodrigo de Paul and the abovementioned Fernandez as those who played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup success.

Having arrived at the Amex stadium in 2019, it’s likely his time in the spotlight in Qatar will see interest from around the continent grow in the 23-year-old, with a potential reunion with former boss Graham Potter at Chelsea a realistic possibility.

CODY GAKPO – PSV EINDHOVEN

Cody Gakpo of Netherlands celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Netherlands and Qata

Image credit: Getty Images

The Netherlends to Manchester pipeline that seems to have emerged in the last six months could see more action with the talented Dutch 23-year-old being linked to Old Trafford on a near daily basis.

Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag is more than familiar with the PSV star from his time managing Ajax and with a huge Ronaldo-shaped hole waiting to be filled, a move for World Cup three-goal hero Gapko feels imminent.

JUDE BELLINGHAM – BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Jude Bellingham of England reacts at the end of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between England and Senegal at Al Bayt Stadium on December 4, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar

Image credit: Getty Images

Already establishing himself with a string of impressive displays with Borussia Dortmund, England’s midfield gem demonstrated his ability on the world stage with impressive performances against Iran and Senegal in particular, adding a few more million to his price tag.

As always with Dortmund, it seems a case of if rather than when they will sell one of their star men and they know that if the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool want to get their hands on the fleet-footed attacking midfielder, they are going to have to pay top dollar.

BUKAYO SAKA – ARSENAL

Bukayo Saka celebrates v Senegal

Image credit: Getty Images

That there is often debate over whether the Arsenal man should be starting matches for England simply highlights the depth of the country’s attacking talent.

The Three Lions’ joint top scorer with three goals showed he has bounced back from the disappointment of the Euro 2022 final and at 21, has a bright future ahead of him for both club and country.

While he seems happy in north London, Arsenal may be sweating over the fact he is yet to commit to a long-term deal, which may pique the interest of clubs around the continent.

RITSU DOAN – SC FRIEBURG

Yuto Nagatomo and Ritsu Doan celebrate

Image credit: Getty Images

Fresh from playing a role in Freiburg’s unlikely rise up the Bundesliga table in the first portion of the campaign, Doan exploded on the world stage with goals in Japan’s shock World Cup wins against both Germany and Spain.

The Samurai super-sub would have seen his stock rise in recent months and will look to the second half of the season to go from strength to strength and help his side continue their unlikely Bundesliga push.

GONCALO RAMOS – BENFICA

Gonçalo Ramos (Portugal) celebrates his third goal against Switzerland

Image credit: Getty Images

It is quite something to steal the headlines from Cristiano Ronaldo but Benfica’s nippy forward managed to do so with a breath-taking hat-trick in Portugal’s demolition of Switzerland, doing so after coming in to replace his captain who had been dropped.

Although he was unable to repeat the feat against Morocco in their shock quarter-final defeat, the 21-year-old has caught the attention of the world and given his obvious technical and finishing ability, will no doubt be on the radar of clubs beyond Portugal’s borders.