The World Cup group stages are over, already. We've had the hilarious (France), the shocking (Slovakia) and the frustrating (everyone else) but through the fog of negative tactics, missed open goals and bizarre sendings off - some players have emerged from obscurity to tickle many a scout's fancy. Here's my pick of ten guys I wouldn't say no to:
1. Cristian Riveros - Paraguay
Just signed for Sunderland from the Mexican league, and looks another shrewd signing from the man who brought Wilson Palacios and Antonio Valencia to the English league. Central to Paraguay's excellent midfield and doesn't mind a shot at goal either.
2. Jong Tae Sae - North Korea
The only North Korean to emerge from the World Cup with much credit, and this is despite breaking down in tears during their first national anthem. A pacey and powerful forward who, at 26, could still have his best years ahead of him.
3. Mesut Ozil - Germany
Going to be a star, it just depends who gets him first. Give him the ball and he will make something good happen. Not your typical German player, but then he is Turkish.
4. Anthony Annan - Ghana
At 23 he is in the Norweigan league and ought not to be. A midfield destroyer in the mould of Michael Essien - he was rejected by Paul Ince while at Blckburn. Which means he's brilliant.
5. Elijero Elia - Netherlands
The super sub of the tournament so far, with that much pace and that eye for goal who wouldn't want him?
6. Alexis Sanchez - Chile
At 21 he has already played over 30 times for his country. Can play anywhere across the forward line, full of tricks and I don't think he misplaced a pass in any of Chile's 3 games. Nobody with that much diversity should play for Udinese.
7. Simon Kjaer - Denmark
He's 21 and looks 35, which is a good skill for a centre-back. He can also nail a 70-yard pass, get forward and dominate defensively from set-pieces. Pretty much ticks all the boxes.
8. Winston Reid - New Zealand
Don't laugh, he looks alright. He's 21, enormous and pretty agile. He scored one of New Zealand's two goals and was part of a defence that only conceded two. Get him out of the Norweigan league and he could develop.
9. Marek Hamsik - Slovakia
The captain of the tournamen's most surprising team. Only 22, idolises Pavel Nedved and that shows in his play. Tormented Italy, even if at times it looked as though you or I could have done the same.
10. Keisuke Honda - Japan
Rubbish analogy but the press will start to make it so I may as well: The Japanese Ronaldo. That free-kick was fricking superb, no matter how badly Sorensen dealt with it. And that turn in the box to set up their third against Denmark was as good as we've seen this World Cup. Could end up the tournamen's top goalscorer at this rate.
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