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    Dream Team World Cup: Spain’s star players, potential flops and bargain options

    DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP gaffers will mostly be selecting players who represent countries with a realistic chance of lifting the trophy in Qatar.So in the build-up to the opening game – which is now just 11 days away – we’re analysing the top eight favourites according to the bookmakers.
    We’ve already dug deep into France and today it’s Spain’s turn under the spotlight.

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    Spain are among the favourites to taste World Cup glory in QatarCredit: getty/DREAM TEAM
    BEST PLAYERS
    Alvaro Morata has his detractors but while it’s true the 30-year-old is not the most clinical finisher around, Luis Enrique appreciates what the striker offers in other aspects of the game.
    Excellent in the air and well-suited to La Roja’s possession-based approach, Morata has the benefit of being the focal point for a team full of creative talent.
    If you back Spain to thrive in Group E (Costa Rica, Japan, Germany) then Morata, who scored the winner for Portugal in his last last international outing, should be a good selection from a Dream Team World Cup perspective even if you don’t see him as one of the team’s most-important players – remember, points are everything.
    At 19 years old, Pedri is already one of the best midfielders in the world and his exemplary technique will be crucial in determining how slickly Spain go about their business.
    However, Dream Team World Cup bosses should note that the Barcelona starlet is not one of those midfielders who deals in regular goal involvements.
    His career is still in its infancy but he’s yet to score more than five goals in a season and he’s also still awaiting his first goal in international football.
    Pedri is a generational talent but his style is not suited to Dream Team World Cup where goal involvements reign supreme – see also: Gavi.
    Spain’s first-choice keeper
    Unai Simon should be first-choice goalkeeper and with a provisional price range of £3.5m – £4m he may end up a fraction cheaper than his peers from the other favoured nations – helpful.
    POTENTIAL FLOPS
    These players are only potential ‘flops’ in the realm of Dream Team World Cup.
    For example, Ansu Fati is an exciting talent and as an ambitious winger he fits the profile Dream Team World Cup managers should be seeking out.
    However, the 20-year-old is likely to be used as second-half substitute – he can be effective against tiring legs – and will therefore be restricted in terms of point-scoring opportunities.
    Rodri and Sergio Busquets are both pushing to start as the deepest of Spain’s three midfielders but, again, neither are attack-minded enough to rack up plentiful points.
    An underrated gem?Credit: getty
    BARGAIN OPTIONS
    It’s rare to find a true bargain among the top teams as quality usually comes at a price but there is one relatively affordable option in Enrique’s ranks.
    If Pablo Sarabia is priced at the lower end of his provisional range (£3.5m – £4m) then he could offer good value for money.
    The PSG midfielder has scored nine goals and provided three assists in 24 caps since his senior debut in 2019.
    That breaks down further to a goal involvement every 105.3 minutes for Spain!
    The 30-year-old is one of the unsung heroes of his national side in recent years and he’s likely to be overlooked the vast majority of Dream Team World Cup managers in favour of more recognisable names.

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    Dream Team World Cup gaffers backing Lionel Messi to put the demons of 2014 to rest in Qatar

    EVER since Lionel Messi was not much older than a toddler, when he jinked past his first opponent in a vaguely familiar style, the legacy of Diego Maradona has cast a shadow over him.As an Argentine footballer, living up to the nation’s most outrageous talent is a near impossible task.
    And yet, in many ways, Messi has surpassed Maradona, scoring more goals, providing more assists, winning more trophies and doing it all with a stylistic panache at least equal to that of El Pibe de Oro.
    However, only one No10 has delivered a World Cup for Argentina almost single-handedly (not a deliberate Hand of God reference).

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    How will Messi perform at his last World Cup?Credit: getty/DREAM TEAM
    Maradona’s campaign in Mexico in ’86 is the stuff of legends, remembered as the greatest ever showing from an individual on the biggest stage sport has to offer.
    His mazy dribble against England in the quarter-finals is regularly cited as the best goal of all time and so when Messi scored an eerily similar goal for Barcelona against Getafe in 2007, the pressure on the latter to flourish into the second coming was cemented for eternity.
    For a long while, Messi has known that no matter what he achieves at club level, he will not be as revered in his homeland as Maradona unless he delivers a World Cup.
    He came ever so close in 2014, inspiring the Albiceleste to the final in Brazil where they were ultimately defeated by Germany through Mario Gotze’s extra-time strike.
    Messi was named Player of the Tournament, just as Maradona was in ’86, but without the trophy the comparison was nothing.
    Maradona’s 1986 World Cup campaign is the stuff of legendsCredit: getty
    Barca’s all-time top scorer broke his international duck in 2021 when Argentina beat Brazil in the final of Copa America.
    Messi finished as top scorer and top assist provider in the tournament, an effort wholly appreciated by his compatriots, but the standards expected of the all-time greats are stratospheric.
    The Copa America triumph was one to celebrate but it did not exorcise the demons of 2014 – only victory in Qatar, Messi’s last World Cup, could do that.
    So how likely is it that the 35-year-old will write a fairytale ending to his story, a triumph that would probably cement him as the outright greatest player in history, if he isn’t already?
    Lionel Scaloni’s side are second-favourites to succeed in Qatar according to most bookmakers, and deservedly so.
    By the time the tournament gets underway, Argentina will have gone almost three and a half years unbeaten in all competitions.
    Argentina’s hopes rest on Messi’s shoulders once againCredit: getty
    This is in stark contrast to several of the fancied European giants (France, Germany, England, Spain) who have all suffered more defeats than they would have liked in the last year or so.
    Messi and company have been drawn in Group C alongside Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland – a reasonably favourable set of fixtures all things considered.
    However, one factor to consider is that Argentina have played very few European teams in recent times because of Covid restrictions – although they did beat Italy 3-0 in the Finalissima, a meeting between the champions of South America and Europe.
    And rather ominously, Messi scored all five goals in his side’s 5-0 win over Estonia earlier this year – something of a warning shot to every team set to frequent Qatar this winter.
    Dream Team World Cup gaffers are seemingly confident that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner will impress at his last World Cup – his ownership of 30.2% makes him the sixth-most popular player in the game at this stage.
    Given a provisional price range of £7m – £7.5m, Messi could well be Dream Team World Cup’s most-expensive player when prices are finalised next week but his price tag evidently isn’t much of a deterrent.
    The 2014 World Cup final still haunts Messi and ArgentinaCredit: getty
    Dream Team World Cup managers should also note the legendary No10’s superb form for PSG this season – he’s scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists in just 17 appearances across Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
    Messi is one of those players who could seriously hurt you if you leave him out of your XI, especially with Argentina set to take on Saudi Arabia in their first group game.

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    15.9% of Dream Team World Cup bosses are potentially making a mistake picking Diogo Dalot

    DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP gaffers are busy selecting their provisional teams ahead of the official squad announcements.Unlimited transfers are available right up until the tournament gets underway which means you can tinker away to your heart’s content as there is plenty of time to correct any errors before scoring starts.
    And one potential error worth flagging is the widespread selection of Diogo Dalot.

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    A popular man among Dream Team World Cup gaffersCredit: getty/DREAM TEAM
    The 23-year-old currently features in 15.9% of teams, making him the fifth-most popular defender in the game at this stage.
    On the surface, it’s understandable why Dalot boasts such a big ownership.
    With 79 points to his name, he’s the joint-third best asset in his position in Dream Team’s classic Season game right now.
    After an initial wobble, Manchester United have been relatively disciplined at the back under Erik ten Hag and Dalot has been one of the Red Devils’ most-consistent performers.
    The ex-Porto full-back is one of the first names on the team sheet at club level this term and having started the Season game at just £2.5m, he’s been one of the best bargain options of 2022/23.
    However, all those who have picked him in Dream Team World Cup so far are overlooking one massive factor: Joao Cancelo.
    Be aware of Portugal’s pecking order
    Manchester City’s No7 may have played predominantly as a left-back under Pep Guardiola in recent times but his preferred position is right-back, a role he fulfils for Portugal.
    Cancelo has been one of the best players in the world in his position in the last two or three years and while it could be argued he hasn’t always translated his club form to the international stage, it’s highly likely Fernando Santos will select him to start at right-back when his side embark on their campaign in Qatar.
    That leaves Dalot as a back-up option, a very capable back-up option who offers Portugal helpful depth, but a back-up option nonetheless.
    Some gaffers may think that Cancelo could play at left-back to accommodate Dalot on the right but that would be a new ploy for Santos, something he’s unlikely to try for the first time at a major tournament.
    Besides, Portugal have PSG’s Nuno Mendes and Borussia Dortmund’s Raphael Guerreiro competing for the left-back spot, two talented options.
    Essentially, while it’s not unthinkable that Dalot could start for Portugal at the World Cup, it’s unlikely – and gaffers should generally avoid benchwarmers.
    Dalot scored a brace for Portugal earlier this yearCredit: getty
    One potential spanner in the works is Dalot’s performance against Czech Republic in the Nations League in September, when he scored a brace as part of a superb all-round display.
    Perhaps it’s this performance that Dream Team World Cup bosses have in mind when choosing their provisional teams – beware this bear trap.
    If you want an alternative in the same price range then consider Nathan Ake, who will almost certainly start for an impressive Netherlands outfit gifted a favourable group.

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    This winter will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last dance at the World Cup – are Dream Team World Cup bosses overlooking him?

    CRISTIANO RONALDO has scored 117 goals in international football, more than any other player in the history of men’s football.Since his 30th birthday, he’s scored 66 goals in 73 appearances for Portugal.
    The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s pedigree is well known, yet it’s worth repeating on the brink of the 2022 World Cup – and amid the launch of Dream Team World Cup! – as Qatar is likely to play host to his last dance at the most prestigious tournament of the lot.
    Ronaldo is one of the greatest players of all time and victory at Euro 2016 ensured he ticked off an international trophy on his elite checklist (he also collected a Nations League medal in 2018/19) but the World Cup has rarely been a joyous stage for him.
    Whereas Pele and Diego Maradona both defined their legacies with World Cup triumphs, the Portuguese No7 and his contemporary, Lionel Messi, have achieved greatness despite frustrations on the biggest stage of them all.

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    Ready for the last danceCredit: getty/DREAM TEAM
    In 2006, Ronaldo was one of the most promising young talents on display but he was developing as a more traditional winger, hence why he scored just the one goal as Portugal finished fourth in Germany.
    In South Africa in 2010, his only goal came in a 7-0 thrashing of North Korea – a strike which ended a rare drought of 16 months in international football.
    Four years later, he played through a injury and was noticeably hampered, not even his late winner against Ghana could drag Portugal to the knockout stages.
    This was a case of terrible luck and timing for Ronaldo as the tournament in Brazil coincided most closely with his peak years – he scored 61 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid in the season that followed.
    All this meant that by the time he was preparing for his fourth edition of the tournament in 2018, his record at the world’s most-watched sporting event read: three goals in 14 games.
    Injuries hindered Ronaldo at the 2014 World Cup
    Ronaldo set about realigning the numbers with a superb hat-trick against Spain in his first outing in Russia – his most memorable World Cup moment to date.
    A goal against Morocco in the following group game bolstered his record further but defeat to Uruguay in the round of 16 meant Portuguese fans were once again left disappointed with their side’s efforts at the tournament that matters most.
    Now 37 years old, Ronaldo is ready for one final throw of the dice in a World Cup setting and anyone who has observed his career even casually will know his mentality towards the task at hand, such is his relentless desire for accomplishments.
    And it’s his state of mind that could be his greatest asset in Qatar now that his speed and physical sharpness have diminished with age.
    Erik ten Hag has made sparing use of Ronaldo for Man United this season and, truth be told, the Red Devils have generally played better without their legendary No7 on the pitch.
    Still Ronaldo possesses a sense of inevitability and hunger for goals that is unmatched in world football.
    Fernando Santos, whose stint as Portugal coach has coincided with the best years of Ronaldo in international football, will hope to harness his captain’s main character energy in Qatar and may even be thankful that his workload at club level has been managed this term.
    Ronaldo has conquered Europe but the World Cup has eluded himCredit: getty
    And it wasn’t that long ago Ronaldo claimed the Golden Boot at Euro 2020, which is why it’s surprising how few Dream Team World Cup gaffers have included him in their provisional teams so far.
    It’s early days but an ownership of 6.5% makes him just the 12th-most popular striker in the game.
    Portugal have been drawn against Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea in Group H and while that promises to be one of the more competitive sets of fixtures, Santos’ side are favourites to come out on top.
    Darwin Nunez and Aleksandar Mitrovic currently appear in more teams.
    Ronaldo may be at the tail end of his career and his record of seven goals in 17 World Cup games might not align with his greatness in other competitions but at the end of the day he is still Ronaldo – betting against him in rarely profitable.
    Dream Team World Cup managers are encouraged to select provisional teams now, prices and updated squads will be finalised next week – you can make as many changes to your XI as you like until the tournament gets underway.

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    Dream Team World Cup: France’s star players, potential flops and bargain options

    FRANCE are the reigning World Cup champions and so it’s natural they are among the favourites to triumph in Qatar this winter.However, for all their talented players and historical success, Les Bleus have wobbled this year, winning just one of their last six games.
    They’ve also had their famous squad depth tested with some disruptive injuries – hardly ideal preparation for a major tournament.
    And yet there’s no doubt almost every Dream Team World Cup gaffer will be keen on more than one of Didier Deschamps’ troops as they build their provisional teams this week.
    France face Denmark, Australia and Tunisia in Group D and are expected to earn a favourable round of 16 draw in the form of either Mexico or Poland (assuming Argentina top Group C).

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    Can Kylian Mbappe lead France to another World Cup win?Credit: Getty
    So who should Dream Team World Cup bosses be considering, who should they avoid, and who (if any) are the potential bargains?
    The temptation with France is to work from front to back, such is the star power in their forward line.
    Kylian Mbappe and Karim Benzema are two talismanic forwards with both set to be among the most-expensive and most-popular assets in the game.
    The former lit up Russia in 2018 but underwhelmed at Euro 2020 while the latter is coming off the back of a campaign that saw him lift the Ballon d’Or.
    Both are top-tier options having plundered bucket-loads of goals for club and country in the last two years.
    It should noted, however, that Antoine Griezmann has arguably been France’s main man at major tournaments under Deschamps.
    The 31-year-old is having his minutes managed at Atletico Madrid this season but it’s worth remembering he won the Golden Boot at Euro 2016 and was second only to Harry Kane for goals scored at the last World Cup.
    Whether he has another major tournament glory in him at this stage of his career remains to be seen and Dream Team World Cup gaffers should expect him to play deeper than Benzema and Mbappe.
    Griezmann was his country’s joint-top scorer in qualifying – perhaps one to have a look at first.
    Eduardo Camavinga and Aurélien Tchouaméni could have big parts to playCredit: Getty
    In midfield, Kingsley Coman feels like a player to avoid despite his undoubted talent.
    Competition for places is fierce and Dream Team World Cup gaffers should be eyeing up certain starters only.
    France will be without the injured Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante, two stalwarts of their 2018 victory.
    Real Madrid youngsters Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga may be tasked with stepping up, though Deschamps generally values experience.
    The former is a more likely starter though he does not fit the profile of a midfielder capable of producing plentiful points – you should focus on players who specialise in goals and assists.
    Incredibly, Adrien Rabiot may have an important role to play, he’s been a regular in the last two years after a somewhat turbulent start to his international career.
    Will Raphael Varane win his race against time to be fit?Credit: Reuters
    In defence, it’s unclear what combinations Deschamps prefers.
    Raphael Varane’s latest injury scare left him as a doubt to make Qatar as he faces a race against time – the Manchester United centre-back is a veteran of 87 international caps and was a class act in Russia four years ago.
    Presnel Kimpembe, Jules Kounde and William Saliba are all pushing for a place in the starting line-up though Benoit Badiashile is one to keep an eye on given he played 90 minutes in both of France’s last two Nations League games.
    The Monaco man has battled with injury issues of late but looks to have returned to fitness in time to be in contention.
    Benjamin Pavard starred for France in 2018 but faces a battle with Jonathan Clauss for the right-back spot, with the latter a potential bargain if given the nod.
    Hugo Lloris is likely to overtake Lilian Thuram to become France’s most-capped player of all time during the tournament – if you think Les Bleus will keep it tight at the back then he’s your man between the sticks.
    However, the 35-year-old is equally capable of the sublime as he is the ridiculous these days, as we’ve seen in a Tottenham shirt recently.

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    Who are the favourites to win the World Cup Golden Boot this winter?

    DREAM TEAM WORLD CUP managers are spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting their forward line.Goals remain the game’s primary currency and so every self-respecting XI will need plenty of firepower up front.
    With that in mind, let’s run through the bookies’ favourites to win the the Golden Boot in Qatar this winter.

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    Harry Kane will be an immensely popular selection among Dream Team World Cup gaffers.
    The England skipper needs three goals to break Wayne Rooney’s all-time Three Lions record — what better stage to achieve the feat than a World Cup?
    Chances are, that is exactly what will happen, with Kane leading the betting to finish the tournament as the top scorer at 7/1.
    Let’s not forget the 29-year-old already has a World Cup Golden Boot on his mantelpiece.
    Harry Kane is the pre-tournament favourite to win Golden BootCredit: PA
    Gareth Southgate’s men have a relatively favourable group with Iran and USA up in the first before a mouthwatering clash with Wales on November 29th.
    With provisional pricing currently in place, Kane is among the most-expensive strikers in Dream Team World Cup but given his impressive form for Spurs this season, he could well be worth the investment.
    He’s joined at the top of the favourites list by Kylian Mbappe (8/1), Karim Benzema (12/1) and Lionel Messi (12/1).
    The former has 18 goals and five assists in 19 appearances for PSG this term and will be determined to perform on the international stage after an underwhelming showing at Euro 2020.
    Benzema, fresh from his Ballon D’Or win, has been quieter in front of goal recently but his record of ten goals in 16 caps for Les Bleus since his return to international football speaks for itself.
    Those keen to back a France forward from the get-go have a difficult decision to make – some may even feel compelled to double up.
    Kylian Mbappe is set for a huge tournamentCredit: Getty
    With this likely to Messi’s final World Cup, many are backing the little Argentine to finish with a flourish.
    Not only is he 12/1 to win the Golden Boot, Argentina are second favourites to lift the trophy having not lost a game in over three years.
    With Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland in their group, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner could rack up plentiful points from the off and transfer his impressive club form to the World stage.
    The 35-year-old has scored 11 goals and provided 14 assists in just 17 appearances across Ligue 1 and the Champions League in 2022/23.
    It may feel strange to some to see Robert Lewandowski (33/1) at such long odds but this is merely a reflection of Poland’s fortunes rather than the prolific No9’s individual quality.
    He has 18 goals in 17 Barcelona games at this stage but it will be a challenge for him to reach the knockout stages in Qatar.
    Golden Boot bettingBetfair odds

    Harry Kane 7/1
    Kylian Mbappe 8/1
    Neymar 12/1
    Karim Benzema 12/1
    Lionel Messi 12/1
    Cristiano Ronaldo 14/1
    Romelu Lukaku 18/1
    Vinicius Junior 25/1
    Lautaro Martinez 25/1
    Memphis Depay 25/1
    Richarlison 30/1
    Robert Lewandowski 33/1
    Alvaro Morata 33/1
    Kai Havertz 33/1
    Ferran Torres 33/1
    Raheem Sterling 33/1

    Neymar will play a huge role for pre-tournament favourites Brazil and is likely to be a fraction cheaper than the absolute most-expensive forwards in Dream Team World Cup once prices are finalised.
    At 12/1 he’s on par with Benzema and Messi yet may be a marginally more affordable pick-up – a tempting prospect.
    Serbia, Switzerland and Cameroon lie in wait for Brazil, who are confident of adding to their trophy haul in this prestigious tournament.
    Neymar and Brazil are primed for a big tournament as favouritesCredit: Getty
    Neymar has 14 goals and 11 assists in 18 games for PSG this season and will be at the heart of a formidable Seleção front line.
    We simply have to mention Cristiano Ronaldo (14/1) when discussing Golden Boot candidates – he claimed the equivalent award at Euro 2020.
    Portugal have Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in their group, representing a great opportunity for progression as group winners.
    The experienced No7 hasn’t played all that much under Erik ten Hag at Manchester United and while he would have liked more game time, perhaps fresher legs will be a benefit in Qatar?
    Among the dark horses, Memphis Depay (25/1) and Netherlands have a very winnable group with Senegal, Ecuador and hosts Qatar involved.
    Though he hasn’t seen much game time, the Barcelona forward comes into the tournament fresh and could rack up plenty of early points for Dream Team World Cup managers who take the punt.
    Depay has scored 21 international goals since the start of 2021!

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    Enter and see if you’ve got what it takes to win Dream Team’s World Cup £25k Survivor Game?

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    Can you be the last player standing? Longest survivors WIN 50% of the prize pool!Credit: DREAM TEAM
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    Gen Z’s world-class midfielders set to take World Cup by storm this winter

    In case you haven’t noticed, Dream Team World Cup is now live across all platforms!Gaffers are invited to select a provisional team now before player prices are finalised on November 14th.

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    The next generation of midfielders are set to flourish in Qatar
    One aspect to consider when selecting your XI is the array of young midfield talent that will be on display in Qatar.
    As the most-watched sporting event in the world, the World Cup has long been the platform from which youngsters can launch themselves to superstardom.
    This year’s tournament will be no different with several notable young midfielders seemingly on the cusp of greatness already.
    We make no apologies for the England-centric view by highlighting Jude Bellingham first of all.
    Still just 19 years old, Borussia Dortmund’s No22 is earning huge plaudits in Germany for his all-round performances and a sense of maturity beyond beyond his years.
    A diligent worker in defence, Bellingham is also blessed with a deftness of touch and natural technique that makes him effective in tight areas.
    And this season the former Birmingham midfielder has shown a sharper eye goal – he’s scored nine goals for Dortmund in all competitions already.
    Such has been the impressive nature of his development in recent months, it now seems likely that Bellingham will be a starter for England at the World Cup.
    Kalvin Phillips has struggled with injury setbacks recently and Bellingham’s added edge going forward makes him a superb candidate for a spot alongside Declan Rice whether Gareth Southgate opts for a 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 formation.
    Barcelona and Spain’s futureCredit: getty
    Never to be outdone where technically gifted midfielders are concerned, Spain boast two teenage talents likely to win swathes of admirers in Qatar.
    Pedri is arguably among the world’s best players in his position already and previously flaunted his ability on the international stage to considerable degree at Euro 2020.
    Recently he’s been joined at club and country level by Gavi, a La Masia graduate who shares many of the same attributes.
    Naturally there are whispered hopes from fans of Barcelona and La Roja that Pedri, 19, and Gavi, 18, can emulate Xavi and Andres Iniesta’s partnership that formed the foundation of some of the greatest triumphs of the modern era.
    It’s a similar situation in France where Didier Deschamps may call upon Real Madrid pair Eduardo Camavinga, 19, and Aurelien Tchouameni, 22, as Les Bleus seek to defend their crown this winter.
    The latter is virtually guaranteed a spot in the squad and he may be joined by his younger team-mate because of N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba’s absences through injury.
    France have injuries in midfield and so Deschamps may turn to youth
    Both starlets blend athleticism and physicality with a certain poise in possession, making them very modern midfielders.
    More casual fans will remember Camavinga’s match-shaping performances off the bench during Real Madrid’s latest Champions League glory.
    Germany have Jamal Musiala, the most attack-minded of the lot.
    Once a England youth representative and Chelsea academy player, the 19-year-old has become hugely important to Bayern Munich – he’s scored nine goals and provided six assists for the Bundesliga champions already this term.
    Die Mannschaft are hardly lacking in midfield options but there is an increasingly loud clamour for the national team to be built around Musiala’s blooming talent.
    If Hansi Flick concurs then Musiala may be the pick of the lot in terms of Dream Team World Cup viability, purely because he’s the most likely of the players mentioned to contribute goals and assists.
    More broadly, all the youngsters listed have shown enough in the early stages of their careers to suggest they could become world-class midfielders – some may have already reached that level – and there’s no better stage than the World Cup for a player to stamp their authority on the game.
    Musiala has rapidly become a key player for club and countryCredit: getty
    And the tournament comes at a fitting time too with several leading midfield lights at the back end of their careers.
    Qatar will surely be Luka Modric’s last World Cup at 37 years old, Toni Kroos is 32 and already retired from international football, Angel Di Maria is 34 and currently sweating on an injury ahead of the World Cup.
    Casemiro, Ilkay Gundogan and Sergio Busquets are all in the 30s, as is Kevin De Bruyne.
    These experienced names still have plenty to offer of course, many are still at the top of their game, but every player succumbs to the passing of time eventually.
    The 2022 World Cup could act as a passing of the torch from one crop of decorated midfielders to an exciting host of youngsters hoping to emulate their heroes.

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