The 2022 World Cup in Qatar was overshadowed by criticism of the host country prior to kick-off, with many left questioning the Gulf state’s approach to human rights and the LGBTQ+ community. While politics threatened to dominate this winter’s tournament, it was football that came out superior, with a record number of goals scored (172) for a FIFA World Cup, and a hatful of surprises that came along the way. Some of the usual suspects shined in Qatar, most notably Argentina’s talisman Lionel Messi, who won the golden ball, and France’s poster boy Kylian Mbappe, who took home the golden boot after eight goals in seven games. However, plenty of surprise names broke through at this winter’s World Cup, as teams like Australia, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco gained an abundance of admirers. Here are seven players that have earned a big move based on their 2022 World Cup performances.
Sofyan Amrabat
Not many people would have recognised Sofyan Amrabat before the tournament, in fact, it was likely that more people would have remembered Sofyan’s older brother Nordin, who turned out for Watford in the Premier League in the 2015/16 season. Nonetheless, the 26-year-old ended the tournament in most people’s teams of the tournament, as well as collecting accolades such as ‘the new Kanté’, having won possession 57 times – the most by any African player since the 1966 World Cup. Alongside his Moroccan teammate Azzedine Ounahi, Amrabat excelled in Qatar and significantly contributed to Morocco becoming the first-ever African side to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.
Even before the tournament, there were some rumours linking Amrabat with a move away from Fiorentina, but the 2022 World Cup only added fuel to the fire, with some of the biggest clubs in the world now battling for the midfielder’s signature. If the latest rumours are to be believed, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur seem to be in a direct battle for the Moroccan, but Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, and Sevilla are also linked. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Fiorentina are only willing to let Amrabat go for at least €40m – with Liverpool only recently spending close to that for Cody Gakpo, does this give Tottenham an advantage in the race for the Atlas Lion?
Jude Bellingham
England midfielder Jude Bellingham was by no means an unknown entity before this winter’s World Cup, after already becoming one of the best young players in the world following his €25m move from Birmingham City to Borussia Dortmund as a 17-year-old in 2020. However, this was perhaps the 19-year-old’s statement tournament, becoming a crucial member of the Three Lions’ midfield in Qatar. The Birmingham native had not scored for his national side ahead of the tournament, but in England’s opener against Iran, it was Bellingham who notched the first goal of the tournament for the Three Lions, also adding an assist for Jordan Henderson in the round of 16 tie against Senegal. At 19, Bellingham became one of the most important pieces of the England team, having finished first in shot-creating chances, tackles won, blocks, and dribbles completed out of the entire squad.
The Borussia Dortmund man’s stock has only risen after the 2022 World Cup, with the usual suspects, such as Real Madrid and PSG, linked with a move for the England star, but it seems more likely that the 19-year-old midfielder will head back to England, with Liverpool and Manchester City set to go head-to-head for his signature. Manchester City have already snapped up his good pal Haaland last summer, with City perhaps the more logical option for Bellingham, however, according to reports in England, Jude’s father is trying to convince his son to choose Liverpool instead. Only time will tell whether Bellingham will listen to his father or become his own man in 2023. gon
Enzo Fernández
Enzo Fernández was largely unknown to European football followers prior to the World Cup, although he was linked with the two Manchester clubs while still playing for River Plate in his native Argentina. A transfer to the Premier League did not materialise, with Portuguese side Benfica instead capturing the midfielder for around €10m. That fee is set to increase ten-fold once the 21-year-old ends up leaving Benfica, especially after his stand-out performances in Argentina’s run to the World Cup title in Qatar. Fernández started the tournament on the bench for the Albiceleste, before becoming an integral part of Argentina’s midfield following his first start in the final group game against Poland.
The 21-year-old impressed throughout the knockout stages, collecting the best young player of the tournament award after the final, with many top European sides now on the hunt for the Argentine. According to the latest reports, most notably by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea seem to be moments away from signing Fernández. The Benfica midfielder currently has a €120m release clause included in his contract, with Chelsea instead wanting to offer a sum that is slightly lower than that. It has been suggested that the Portuguese side will not budge regarding the 21-year-old’s release clause, so it will remain to be seen whether Chelsea or Benfica will blink first.
Joško Gvardiol
Josko Gvardiol has been heavily linked with Chelsea in the summer when the Londoners were in search of defensive reinforcements. Back then, the roughly €100m price tag led to Chelsea looking for other alternatives, but the Premier League club might now be kicking themselves for not sealing a deal for the Croatian centre-back. The 20-year-old was one of the outstanding performers at the 2022 World Cup, with 37 clearances and 11 interceptions earning him a spot in the team of the tournament. While Gvardiol is primarily deployed as a left-back at his club side RB Leipzig, this winter’s World Cup clearly demonstrated that the Croat is much more superior when played in the middle of the defence.
His incredible defensive displays in Croatia’s run to the semi-finals in Qatar prompted a transfer battle this year, with Premier League giants Manchester City and Manchester United strongly linked, while Chelsea are also set to reignite their interest. Reports in England state that the three clubs have already launched bids for the RB Leipzig defender, with the opening bids believed to be in the region of £80m, however, Sky Sports claim that City are willing to increase their bid up to £110m. Whoever ends up winning the battle for the Croatian centre-back, it will certainly end up being a new transfer record for a defender.
Alexis Mac Allister
A Brighton and Hove Albion player lifting the World Cup trophy was not something many people would have expected to see in 2022, yet Alexis Mac Allister became an important part of the Argentina side that triumphed on the world stage for the first time since 1986. The 24-year-old midfielder started the tournament on the bench for Argentina, however, following a surprising defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia in Albiceleste’s opening match, the Brighton man was thrown straight into the starting eleven in the next match, where he remained throughout the tournament.
His brilliant displays in Qatar have led to a handful of European sides vying for his signature, with the likes of Atletico Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, and Liverpool linked with the Argentina star. Mac Allister joined Brighton in 2019 for around €8m, a fee that seems like an absolute bargain today. Chelsea and Liverpool seem to be the two sides closest to signing the 24-year-old, who they see as a cheaper alternative to other targets, notably Enzo Fernández and Jude Bellingham, as mentioned earlier in the article. With Mac Allister costing around €40m, any team with some spare change could be getting a decent midfielder in the near future.
Dominik Livaković
Dominik Livakovic was the outstanding goalkeeper of this winter’s World Cup, having racked up the most saves in the entire tournament with 24, and being particularly exceptional against Brazil in the quarter-finals. Prior to the tournament, it was even debatable whether Livakovic will be Croatia’s number-one goalkeeper, having been dropped in a handful of games in qualifying due to shaky performances. That being said, Livakovic put to bed any doubts over his position in between the sticks for his national team with his performances in Qatar, while also earning plenty of admirers on the club stage.
At the age of 27, Livakovic is surprisingly still on the books of Dinamo Zagreb, but if the tournament in Qatar was anything to go by, he is finally entering his prime years. Plenty of clubs have been linked with the Croatia number-one in the past months, with Bayern Munich reportedly recently pulling out of the race, despite captain Manuel Neuer suffering a long-term injury. This seems to leave the Premier League Livakovic’s most likely destination, with newcomers Nottingham Forest reportedly close to signing the Croatia goalkeeper in the summer for a fee between £4.2m – £8.5m, while Leicester City were also offered the 27-year-old prior to the tournament. Of course, both teams decided against the signing, but following Livakovic’s heroics in Qatar, both clubs are set to reevaluate their decision this year.
Azzedine Ounahi
It is no surprise that there are two Moroccan players on this list following the Atlas Lions’ incredible run to the World Cup semi-finals this winter. While teammate Sofyan Amrabat might be the bigger name, Azzedine Ounahi was quietly controlling the midfield for the African side in Qatar. His incredible performances at the heart of the Moroccan midfield led to transfer speculation this year, with the 22-year-old unlikely to stay at his current club side Angers, who find themselves bottom of Ligue 1. According to club president Chabane, Angers have been approached by clubs from Italy, Spain, England, and France.
Marseille are believing to be trying to fund a deal for Ounahi’s signature by selling Brazilian midfielder Gerson, while Premier League sides Leicester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also keen on the midfielder, who is valued at around £37m. In addition, European giants Napoli and Barcelona are also said to be monitoring Ounahi’s situation. As of now, it is difficult to clearly see where Ounahi will end up, but according to the man himself, he will choose his future club ”based on the best sporting project.”
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