10 players to watch in the World Cup 2022 knockout stages
By Euan Burns
The latter stages of the Qatar 2022 World Cup are approaching thick and fast with plenty of the groups already finished and many teams learning their round of 16 opponents.
That means that some wonderful players are going to get the chance to continue showing their skills and it is even more important for the players who have struggled with their clubs but have now found game time and form with their national teams.
We're going to take a look at some players who are in the round of 16 who you could be hearing much more about after the tournament. At the time of writing, Groups G and H have not played their final games.
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1. Hakim Ziyech
Morocco have done incredibly well to top their group containing Belgium, Croatia and Saudi Arabia. Hakim Ziyech has been a major reason why they have achieved that.
Everyone knows who Ziyech is, but many may have forgotten just how good he can be. The Chelsea man could be on the move to AC Milan in January where he may get a new lease of life and become a joy to watch again.
2. Yunus Musah
This guy is going to be the subject of many transfer rumours over the next couple of years if this tournament is anything to go by. The American has been a vital component of the midfield that has helped them reach the round of 16.
Playing for Valencia in Spain, Musah is already being linked with a host of Premier League clubs who want to act first.
3. Jakub Kiwior
Polish defender Jakub Kiwior can be left out of the criticisms that the national team have received for playing boring football en route to the round of 16. His job is to stop the other team from scoring.
He has looked like a really assured defender for Spezia and now he looks it at a World Cup too. Juventus and AC Milan have been linked, along with West Ham United in the Premier League. He is only 22 as well.
4. Josko Gvardiol
20-year-old defender Josko Gvardiol put in an incredible display against Belgium to ensure that Croatia made it to the knockout stages of the World Cup.
The RB Leipzig man has been linked with bigger clubs and that is only going to continue in the January and summer transfer windows.
5. Piotr Zielinski
Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski is known by most football fans, but he has been having the season of his life at Napoli and has been relatively impressive in the World Cup with Poland.
Napoli are often happy to cash in when the opportunity arises and he is one of the players many teams will be moving heaven and earth to sign very soon.
6. Thiago Almada
Football Manager connoisseurs will be more than aware of Thiago Almada's talents but he is yet to really make good on that promise in the real world.
The fact that he is in this Argentina squad shows that he is starting to find his feet at Atlanta and is still only 21 years old. A bigger move could be on the horizon.
7. Takefusa Kubo
Japanese midfielder Takefusa Kubo was a big name in the youth ranks at Real Madrid but he was finally sold in the summer to Real Sociedad.
He has impressed this season and has also impressed at the World Cup. Now that there is not the premium of being a Real Madrid player, other teams across Europe may take a closer look at the 21-year-old.
8. Goncalo Ramos
Goncalo Ramos is already being linked with some of the biggest clubs in Europe given he has scored nine goals in 11 league games for Benfica this season.
He isn't starting for Portugal but the 21-year-old will surely be facing South Korea on Friday and could get some minutes in the round of 16 tie.
9. Ritsu Doan
Ritsu Doan is another player who promised a lot earlier in his career but has settled into being a solid Bundesliga player. He has impressed at the World Cup though.
He has a steady creative output for the season at Freiburg too with eight goals and assists across all competitions. He is one some clubs will be keeping an eye given he is still only 24.
10. Dani Olmo
Much like Ziyech, Dani Olmo is not an obscure player, but he is one who is yet to make a splash at a really big club. Having left Barcelona as a youngster, he has been at Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig.
Continuing to impress for Spain at the World Cup will only grow the interest in a player who may think it is time for a step up.