Ironically, only Argentina’s Julian Alvarez, reserve striker to Erling Haaland at the Etihad, remains in Qatar as we await the semi-finals of the World Cup.
Manchester City’s contingent of sixteen(the second-highest of any club)has been reduced to only the unlikely figure of Alvarez, who scored two good goals in earlier rounds and was then anonymous in the quarter-final.
Alvarez is now sweating on his semi-final place which is probably in the hands of the meddling, though magnificent, Messi who will, no doubt, have the final say on who plays alongside him upfront.
But most players are of course, by definition, finally losers in these knock-out tournaments. They want to avoid the ignominy of departing at the group stage and, as discussed in my previous weekly blog, two particularly elite City players, De Bruyne and Germany’s Gundogan suffered that fate.
I suspect Gundogan may retire from international football, as may Kyle Walker, to prolong his career. But Kevin De Bruyne will probably soldier on if given the captaincy carrot, particularly if his old teammate Vincent Kompany becomes Belgium’s new manager.
The departure of the struggling Akanji (he looked as out of place at this level as he’s beginning to do at the top of the Prem) in the Round Of Sixteen was not as significant as Rodri and Laporte who both played very well for Spain and were unlucky not to go further. However, all three now could be ready for the Liverpool game on 22nd December. Advantage Pep.
The quarter-finals saw the departure of ten of the remaining eleven. Cancelo and Dias were disappointing for Portugal and only Bernardo Silva enhanced his reputation.
The conventional Portuguese back-four system was particularly difficult for Cancelo’s silky skills. He seemed unable to adapt and dumb-down, and was not allowed to roam and create as he does for Pep.
And Dias’ downward descent since his stunning first season at City continued apace as Hakim Ziyech out-leaped him for Morocco’s winning goal. However, Silva’s continuing brilliance shone through even in defeat. We’re all praying he stays with City next season and beyond.
Ake had a largely good tournament for The Netherlands until Messi finally ran him ragged. Fortunately, there are not too many like Lionel.
And Ederson was only the second-choice goalkeeper for Brazil although he did get the final dead-rubber group game. The competition between him and Allison will run for several years yet, probably all the way to the 2026 World Cup.
Finally, the five-man England contingent.
John Stones was City’s outstanding player at this World Cup, not putting a foot wrong, similar to his performance in 2018 in Russia. His place at City is tougher to hold down than with England, a testament to Pep’s embarrassment of centre-back riches, although there are increasing worries over Akanji and to a lesser extent Dias.
Kyle Walker, by far England’s best player in Russia, was almost as good here. His shackling of Mbappe, probably the fastest player on the planet, was exemplary. It will be a great loss to England if he decides to retire from the international arena, although it may extend his career.
We need him at the 2024 Euros and maybe beyond, although the next World Cup will be a stretch for a then 36-year-old, but not impossible given his bloody-minded determination.
Phil Foden flattered to deceive. He played well in the final group match and then in the last sixteen game, but seemed a little sidelined against France. He needs to assert himself on the international game more and not be daunted by the different players, environment and methodology of England.
City has become too much of a comfort zone for him and he risks not fulfilling his awesome potential with the country as well as club. Perhaps, a central midfield creatde role for both City and England will ultimately better showcase the undoubted talents of the most technically gifted young footballer of his generation.
Jack Grealish played only cameo roles although I’d have preferred him to the labouring Sterling as an earlier sub against France. Not sure, however, if he’s settled enough at City to enhance his England career. I suspect Pep is not sure either.
And Kalvin Phillips could only play a bit part as he recovered from prolonged injuries. His time will come again. Whereas for Julian Alvarez, his moment may yet arrive very early in his career at Sunday’s World Cup Final.