BRAZIL 2014: Top underrated players at 2014 FIFA World Cup

Sunday, June 08, 2014 — updated on August 11, 2021 - 8 min read

Portugal’s midfielder Joao Moutinho kicks the ball during a training session at Praia del Rey, near Obidos, on Wednesday. Portugal is holding a training camp in preparation for the upcoming World Cup 2014 in Brazil. . PHOTO | AFP

By Edo Kumwembe

Columnists and Sports reporter

Mwananchi Communications Ltd

What you need to know:

He’s one of a very few midfielders that could walk into the great Barcelona team of recent seasons and take on the Xavi/Andres Iniesta roles with the same vision and success.

These days “the Warrior” is much more capable of controlling his temper and channel his aggression into his game, while always playing on his limits. Played in a defensive role in Germany, he’s now a true box-to-box midfielder who scores a respectable amount of goals. Not only an attacking threat with his sprints forward, late runs into the box and brilliant finishing, he’s also technically very good and puts in a real shift defensively, tracking back when needed. Chile’s system with three in midfield is ideal for taking advantage of his attacking potential and running capacity -- and while Alexis Sánchez gets all the attention as Chile’s star, Vidal is not only more important to the team but also an overall more valuable player. Perhaps because of his style, looks and past he doesn’t get the accolades of other midfielders, but Brazil 2014 could well be the time Vidal makes his global breakthrough.

BRAZIL 2014: Top underrated players at 2014 FIFA World Cup

What you need to know:

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