noikeee Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 I'm a bit surprised we haven't had this thread yet! Who do you think have been the best players of the competition and/or is on the running for the award for best player in the competition? So far I would say Coutinho, Willian - for Brazil they have impressed me more than Neymar, Coutinho had a wonderful group stages and Willian was superb against Mexico Mbappé - the performance against Argentina was one of the better individual performances of the tournament although I didn't think he had a great group stage? Hazard - the system for Belgium seems to be built more around him than a KDB that is misfitting at the base of midfield, and this has let Hazard play well if not perhaps at an extraordinary level Modric - Croatia's best player hands down Kane - when you've got 6 goals before the quarter-finals, you're a candidate even if most of the goals are penalties Cavani - gone missing the first 2 matches, but the performance against Portugal was superb, 2 fantastic goals I would like to mention a few defensive players too, but frankly I don't have a very good eye for them, am always watching games looking more at who creates than who destroys so that is difficult for me. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bliss Seeker Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Trippier has been England's stand out performer tbh. Would be amazed if he didn't make team of the tournament. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bliss Seeker Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Oh and Kante has been absolutely immense for France. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vynal Seven Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 10 minutes ago, noikeee said: I would like to mention a few defensive players too, but frankly I don't have a very good eye for them, am always watching games looking more at who creates than who destroys so that is difficult for me. Godin? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 Yeah I had the idea both Kanté and Godin had been doing really well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Cartman Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Yeah Godin, Kane and Kante been the most consistent throughout the tournament, others like Mbappe have just had 1 off games of brilliance Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CFuller Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Luka Modric has been outstanding for Croatia (that penalty miss aside) and is probably my player of the tournament so far. Ivan Rakitic has also generally done very well for them in midfield, I feel. Defenders are often overlooked at major tournaments, but I agree with those who mentioned Diego Godín as one of the best players. Time after time, he has been rock-solid for Uruguay, and it wouldn't surprise me that much if he managed to shut France out today. Coutinho and Thiago Silva have looked very good for Brazil, likewise Kanté for France and Golovin for Russia. Kieran Trippier and Jesse Lingard have impressed me the most from an England perspective, but Harry Kane's scoring record can't possibly be ignored. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Cartman Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Modric has been great in 2 games Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ackter Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Trippier has been really fantastic. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baptista_8 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Kagawa, Coutinho, Trippier. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crispypaul Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 1 hour ago, Bliss Seeker said: Trippier has been England's stand out performer tbh. Would be amazed if he didn't make team of the tournament. If you told me that a year ago after we sold Walker I would have scoffed but its a fair shout. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sons FC Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 As well as those mentioned, I thought Pogba has been magnificent in the last two games for France. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Agreed with above mentioned players, but noone mentioned anyone from Brazil's defense. Silva-Miranda partnership is just stellar. They've looked impressive so far, but noone mentions it because that was expected. I think they will easily handle Lukaku tonight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
georginho_juventusygr Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Kane. 6 goals already. Already as good as Pelé. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sons FC Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Just now, GunmaN1905 said: Agreed with above mentioned players, but noone mentioned anyone from Brazil's defense. Silva-Miranda partnership is just stellar. They've looked impressive so far, but noone mentions it because that was expected. I think they will easily handle Lukaku tonight. Good point GmaN. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sons FC Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Just now, georginho_juventusygr said: Kane. 6 goals already. Already as good as Pelé. By that logic, less than half the player of Just Fontaine. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthrax Dave Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Team so far IMHO Muslera (URG) Trippier (ENG) Varanne (FRA) Godin (URG) Hernandez (FRA) Kante (FRA) Matuidi (FRA) De Bruyne (BEL) Hazard (BEL) Coutinho (BRA) Kane (ENG) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
given1legend Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Trippier and Maguire been fantastic for England. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GunmaN1905 Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 4 minutes ago, Anthrax Dave said: Team so far IMHO Muslera (URG) Trippier (ENG) Varanne (FRA) Godin (URG) Hernandez (FRA) Kante (FRA) Matuidi (FRA) De Bruyne (BEL) Hazard (BEL) Coutinho (BRA) Kane (ENG) Varane over Granqvist? No way. Modrić over Matuidi. Cavani instead of Hazard. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
adhikapp Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Granqvist has been great this World Cup, arguably the best performing CB. He's even made Lindelof look competent. Stones and Maguire has also been great, as well as the Gimenez-Godin combo. Disappointed with De Bruyne, Pogba has been outshining him a lot. It's like they reverse their clubs and nations role. Kane and Lukaku looks like the new "Henry vs Van Nistelrooy" for years to come in Premier League, and both have impressed this World Cup. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekstromlars Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 I might be biased but I think Robin Olsen have been one of the best preforming goalkeepers so far. Lined up for a big move this summer. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMLF Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 4 hours ago, noikeee said: Coutinho, Willian - for Brazil they have impressed me more than Neymar, Coutinho had a wonderful group stages and Willian was superb against Mexico Willian was great against Mexico but not very good in the other games. Neymar has been improving game after game. I think Fagner is also doing well. And the defense too, apart from the first game. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Wakeford Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 1 hour ago, ekstromlars said: I might be biased but I think Robin Olsen have been one of the best preforming goalkeepers so far. Lined up for a big move this summer. Sommer had a great tournament as well, some superb saves. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
given1legend Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 2 hours ago, Anthrax Dave said: Team so far IMHO Muslera (URG) Trippier (ENG) Varanne (FRA) Godin (URG) Hernandez (FRA) Kante (FRA) Matuidi (FRA) De Bruyne (BEL) Hazard (BEL) Coutinho (BRA) Kane (ENG) Can probably take Muslera out now. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 1 hour ago, PMLF said: Willian was great against Mexico but not very good in the other games. Neymar has been improving game after game. I think Fagner is also doing well. And the defense too, apart from the first game. Yeah was going to say I thought William was an odd choice in the OP. Good against Mexico as you say but that's about it really. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyman Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 I love World Cup De Bruyne Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 KDB probably deserves an addition to the list after tonight, but he was not a great holding midfielder before this match was he. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cedrik Posted July 6, 2018 Share Posted July 6, 2018 Meunier is also having a very good tournament imo. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 6, 2018 Author Share Posted July 6, 2018 4 hours ago, EnterUsernameHere said: Yeah was going to say I thought William was an odd choice in the OP. Good against Mexico as you say but that's about it really. I haven't watched every game from beginning to end with full attention... didn't even see the Mexico game that long, mostly highlights, I'm going just by the bits I saw... just wanted to get the discussion started. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 11 hours ago, noikeee said: I haven't watched every game from beginning to end with full attention... didn't even see the Mexico game that long, mostly highlights, I'm going just by the bits I saw... just wanted to get the discussion started. Yeah I wasn't tearing into you or anything, just didn't agree with the Willian suggestion. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maple Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 19 hours ago, adhikapp said: Granqvist has been great this World Cup, arguably the best performing CB. He's even made Lindelof look competent. Stones and Maguire has also been great, as well as the Gimenez-Godin combo. Disappointed with De Bruyne, Pogba has been outshining him a lot. It's like they reverse their clubs and nations role. Kane and Lukaku looks like the new "Henry vs Van Nistelrooy" for years to come in Premier League, and both have impressed this World Cup. While Granqvist has been good, he's made close to a half-dozen errors where the other central defender (Jansson and Nilsson Lindelöf) have been forced to rescue him, so I don't think he should be in a World eleven, but hopefully he proves me wrong in the coming match(es). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
decapitated Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 Jordan Pickford Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMLF Posted July 7, 2018 Share Posted July 7, 2018 59 minutes ago, decapitated said: Jordan Pickford He will no doubt be named the best goalkeeper of the tournament, unless he makes some huge mistake in the remaining games. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Courtois seems like the more obvious pick, his match against Brazil will be in the minds of everyone far more. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJJ Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Trippier, Pickford and Henderson for England. KDB, Mbappe and Modric from the rest. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Lucas Posted July 8, 2018 Administrators Share Posted July 8, 2018 My XI: Courtois Trippier Maguire Godin Hernandez Hazard Kante KdB Neymar Kane Lukaku Mentions for Golovin, Cheryshev, Modric, Pickford as well this tournament. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haguey Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Pickford Trippier Walker Stones Maguire Young Henderson Alli Lingard Sterling Kane Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
marcorigobelli Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 How about Subasic? The guy is pretty much getting Croatia to the finals himself one penalty after another. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryan045 Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 1 hour ago, Lucas Weatherby said: My XI: Courtois Trippier Maguire Godin Hernandez Hazard Kante KdB Neymar Kane Lukaku Mentions for Golovin, Cheryshev, Modric, Pickford as well this tournament. Whats the reason for Neymar in your team? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators Lucas Posted July 8, 2018 Administrators Share Posted July 8, 2018 1 hour ago, ryan045 said: Whats the reason for Neymar in your team? Up until they were knocked out he played pretty well for Brazil (and I went 433) and involved in practically all their goals? Assuming Mbappe performs in the Semi Final then he's probably taking that spot in the XI. Tournament's not over yet Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMLF Posted July 8, 2018 Share Posted July 8, 2018 Yes, as mentioned in the other thread, Neymar scored twice and made two assists. It may not be a Ballon d'Or performance, but it's still better than most. Neymar could have done even better though, but he was not 100% fit and also wasted too much time diving and simulating. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 11, 2018 Author Share Posted July 11, 2018 Provisional team of the tournament for me: Jordan Pickford Marcelo Raphael Varane Diego Godin Kieran Trippier N'Golo Kanté Luka Modric Philippe Coutinho Eden Hazard Kylian Mbappé Harry Kane Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anti Spiral Posted July 11, 2018 Share Posted July 11, 2018 8 minutes ago, noikeee said: Provisional team of the tournament for me: Jordan Pickford Marcelo Raphael Varane Diego Godin Kieran Trippier N'Golo Kanté Luka Modric Philippe Coutinho Eden Hazard Kylian Mbappé Harry Kane I'd have Courtois instead of Pickford and Pogba instead of Coutinho. But otherwise mostly agree. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiasV Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Subasic Hernandez Godin Varane Trippier Kante Rakitic Hazard Modric Coutinho Mbappe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 12, 2018 Author Share Posted July 12, 2018 So we're onto the final, who's bidding for the Golden/Silver/Bronze Ball? I believe the only in the running would be Hazard, Modric, Mbappé, Varane or Kanté. Maybe Kane. This rarely awards defensive players so I'm expecting some sort of Hazard/Modric/Mbappé combination although I think Varane and Kanté have done well enough to be on the running. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 15 minutes ago, noikeee said: So we're onto the final, who's bidding for the Golden/Silver/Bronze Ball? I believe the only in the running would be Hazard, Modric, Mbappé, Varane or Kanté. Maybe Kane. This rarely awards defensive players so I'm expecting some sort of Hazard/Modric/Mbappé combination although I think Varane and Kanté have done well enough to be on the running. 0% chance it'll be Kane. Between Modrić and Mbappe now I think unless there's a big individual performance in the final. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anti Spiral Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Does it always go to someone in the final? My vote would be Hazard but I don't know if him not being in the final would hurt his chances. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
noikeee Posted July 12, 2018 Author Share Posted July 12, 2018 3 minutes ago, EnterUsernameHere said: 0% chance it'll be Kane. Between Modrić and Mbappe now I think unless there's a big individual performance in the final. I think it used to be awarded before the final at least, but only announced at the very end. Which blew up in FIFA's face three WCs in a row, 98 when Ronaldo had that unfortunate seizure before the final and disappeared only for Zidane to score twice - Ronaldo wins the Golden Ball, Zidane not in top 3; 2002 when Kahn wins it then makes a howler in the final; and 2006 when Zidane wins it and assaults a player in the final. Although I have a vague memory they changed something after that incident to prevent this happening again, they hold off until the final? Still didn't prevent them from giving it to Messi in 2014. Although I still insist Messi had a good WC that year, just not best-player-of-the-competition good. 1 minute ago, Anti Spiral said: Does it always go to someone in the final? My vote would be Hazard but I don't know if him not being in the final would hurt his chances. It hurts his chances but it doesn't always go to a finalist, no. 2010 went to Forlán, 1990 went to Schillaci. I think that's the only 2 times in history though. List of Golden Ball winners Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnterUsernameHere Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 7 minutes ago, Anti Spiral said: Does it always go to someone in the final? My vote would be Hazard but I don't know if him not being in the final would hurt his chances. Not always no, Forlán won in 2010 and the last 3 (at least) failed to go to a player in the winning team. Messi, Forlán, Zidane. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubenJ Posted July 12, 2018 Share Posted July 12, 2018 Hazard was outstanding but as a non finalist he'd have to have been significantly better than Mbappé or Modric to have a chance and I don't think that's the case. Also Modric is always the obvious Croatia pick, but Rakitic has been at least as good really. He ran the midfield yesterday. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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