DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP managers will obviously be desperate to include some big names in their XI this winter.
However, the likes of Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Kevin De Bruyne are sure to break the bank once player prices are finalised next week.
That means gaffers will need to identify some cheaper, value-for-money options to balance the books – remember, teams with a total value over £50million won’t be eligible to score points.
With that in mind, we’ve picked out three affordable defenders capable of punching above their weight in Qatar.
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Nathan Ake
- Provisional price range: £3m – £3.5m
- Country: Netherlands
Louis van Gaal has options aplenty at centre-back with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Stefan De Vrij, Matthijs de Ligt and 21-year-old Ajax prospect Jurrien Timber also at his disposal.
But what casual fans may not realise is that Ake is the leading candidate to start as the left-sided centre-back in the preferred 3-4-1-2 formation.
Factor in the Netherlands’ favourable group (Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal) and whether the Manchester City defender is confirmed at £3m or £3.5m, he will be reasonably priced.
Granted, the Oranje haven’t been as tight at the back as they would have liked in recent times but they’ve played some brilliant football and will be hopeful of clean sheets against Ecuador and the hosts – the AFCON champions will pose a greater threat.
Joachim Andersen
- Provisional price range: £3m – £3.5m
- Country: Denmark
If the Crystal Palace centre-back is finalised at the top end of his provisional price range then ‘value for money’ might be pushing it but he would probably be worth a whirl at £3m.
Denmark are firmly in the territory of ‘Dark Horses’ having beaten France home and away this year.
No European nation boasted a better record than Kasper Hjulmand’s side in qualifying and, more relevant to this conversation, three goals conceded gave them the best defensive record.
Andersen has started every Denmark game this calendar year so there’s no need to worry about selection dilemmas.
Group D is intriguingly poised with the Danes set to meet Didier Deschamps’ mob again, as well as Tunisia and Australia.
Antonee Robinson
- Provisional price range: £1.5m – £2m
- Country: USA
Now this is a genuinely dirt-cheap option.
The Fulham left-back is a key player for his country, potentially even more important than Barcelona/Milan’s Sergino Dest on the opposite flank.
Instinctively, Group B feels like a potentially cagey one, even group favourites England have prioritised control over attacking intent at major tournaments under Gareth Southgate.
USA have their limitations but they’re fit, strong and disciplined – they’ll probably be harder to beat than most casual fans think.
It certainly wouldn’t be a surprise to see them register a clean sheet against Wales and/or Iran and given that Robinson contributed two goals and three assists in qualifying, he’s got an outside chance of reaching double figures in terms of points before the end of the group stage.
Obviously this punt comes with risk but that’s what you get when you shop around the bargain aisle.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
