5 Players we Expect to see in the Premier League After the World Cup

Across the 2022 World Cup there has been plenty of players that have put in some impressive performances that has put them on the radar of England’s top teams. Here are five players who we think have earned a big move to the Premier League and will be expected to be turning out in the best domestic league in the world, either now or sometime in the future, after turning heads on the world’s biggest stage.

One man who would have already been quietly linked to some of the Premier League big boys is Enzo Fernandez, whose performances for Benfica alone would surely be enough to interest the top teams.

Fernandez was linked with a number of top teams whilst turning out in his native Argentina with River Plate, before he sealed a move to Benfica in the summer for just €12million. The 21-year-old has impressed enormously since his arrival at the Portuguese outfit and has been integral to their stellar start to the season, which has seen them win 12 of their 13 Liga Portugal games and go eight points clear at the top, without a single defeat.

The midfielder’s showing at the World Cup has only ramped up interest in him, with Fernandez being a key player in the Argentina midfield. His work rate and energy in midfield have given the license to the likes of Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez to attack and take the game to the opposition.

Fernandez has played in all six Argentina games in Qatar, starting the last four, and has even notched a goal and assist. He’ll be focussing on the biggest game in his career with the World Cup final pending but will likely be targeted by Premier League giants soon – especially if there is a release as low as what is being reported, which will surely the tempt the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United.

Morocco have been one of, if not the story of the tournament in Qatar – defying odds to become the first-ever African and Arab side to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

A key player that had a major influence on Morocco reaching the semis was Sofyan Amrabat, who was the lynchpin in midfield for the Atlas Lions. The Fiorentina midfielder’s protection in front of the backline was crucial for Morocco progressing to the late stages, seeing off the likes of Portugal and Spain after topping the group which also featured Belgium and Croatia. During that time, Morocco only conceded one goal, an own-goal against Canada, before making it to the last four when they were knocked out 2-0 by France. Even in that game Amrabat demonstrated his defensive qualities with a crunching tackle on Kylian Mbappe that folded the PSG superstar in half, perfectly winning the ball.

The 26-year-old’s price will have surged up after his standout tournament, with Liverpool and Arsenal among the clubs interested in bringing Amrabat to the Premier League.

Another Moroccan midfield maestro that has enjoyed a terrific tournament is Amrabat’s midfield partner, Azzedine Ounahi.

Ounahi was often the creative player in the middle of the park, with Amrabat sitting back and allowing 22-year-old Ounahi to impress going forward. Ounahi, who plays his football for Angers in Ligue 1, received high praise from the likes of Luis Enrique and Jose Mourinho after brilliant performances against Spain and Portugal in the knockout rounds for his tenacious work in midfield and technical quality on the ball. His best performance was arguably in the semi-final against France where, despite his team losing 2-0, he was very exciting to watch and a looked top-class player against a top-class team in France.

Despite being relatively unknown heading into the tournament, Ounahi will be being looked at by many teams across Europe and would look a shrewd signing for any Premier League outfit.

Cody Gakpo will have only added more value onto his worth and it looks only a matter of time before the talented Dutchman arrives in the Premier League.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was said to be keen on the PSV winger in the summer but that move ultimately fell through with Antony joined the Red Devils instead. Gakpo has only continued to be nothing short on sensational for the Eredivisie side this season though, with only Erling Haaland having as many goals and assists as the 23-year-old in Europe’s top five leagues.

Gakpo has gone on to continue his fine form for the Netherlands in Qatar, firing three goals in the five games that Louis van Gaal’s side played as they made their way to the quarterfinals.

Whether United turn to Gakpo to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, or another Premier League side chase the Dutch star, it looks certain that Gakpo has outgrown the Dutch league and needs a step up to the Premier League where he can progress even further.

Not many people were familiar with Goncalo Ramos before the striker was drafted in to fill the huge boots of Cristiano Ronaldo. Ramos did exactly that and more though with his immediate impact for Portugal that will have seen clubs take notice of his enormous potential.

Ramos scored that magnificent hat-trick to mark his first start for his national side against Switzerland, coming in for CR7 after making just two substitute appearances before that. The quality of the three strikers – a front post rocket, deft tap-in, and little dink over the keeper – as well as his assist for Raphael Guerreiro, show the talent that the Benfica man has.

Ramos’ goalscoring prowess is something that the 21-year-old has been showing all season, with the striker firing in nine goals in 11 games for Benfica so far this campaign. At a young age as well, it surely won’t be long before Ramos makes the jump to the Premier League. There is already talk of him replacing Ronaldo again, this time at club level.