Player Focus: Value Available on Underrated World Cup Stars

If we think of Brazil in line with the Oscars, there are a number of leading nominees for the top gong at this World Cup. After, ironically, Oscar stole the show on opening night, there have been some outstanding performances at the tournament thus far.

There are, however, now four clear front runners for player of the tournament - best actor in a leading role perhaps befitting for Arjen Robben (8.91) in particular - with the Dutchman joined by the South American trio of Lionel Messi (9.25), James Rodriguez (8.62) and Neymar (8.25) at the top of WhoScored.com's rankings. There are also a number of players that could throw their name into the hat for a best newcomer award, with the likes of Divock Origi and Enner Valencia attracting plenty of attention this summer.

In this piece, however, we look at some of the unsung stars of this World Cup that should perhaps be monitored by those sides working on a tighter budget. It's always a risk to pursue a player based on their performances over such a short span of games, but a low cost risk is often the most effective. Of course, the players with a lower market value will generally play for the less glamourous nations and that could certainly be said of the following hand-picked quintet.

Kenneth Omeruo (Nigeria) - 7.44 WhoScored.com rating

While Chelsea youngster Omeruo certainly won't be available on a permanent basis having recently signed a new long-term contract, the club are keen to send the centre-back out on loan once again. Middlesbrough are at the front of the queue having taken the player to the Riverside for the latter half of last season but there's reason to think that the 20-year-old is ready to test himself in the Premier League.

It's highly likely that he won't have the chance to do that at Chelsea yet, with the Blues having signed Kurt Zouma in January and also possessing youngster Tomas Kalas, who has already been shipped to the Bundesliga on loan. Omeruo's displays last season and on the grand stage of the World Cup should, however, have attracted more high-profile interest. The defender won the most aerial duels for the Super Eagles (12 out of 14 contested), while no compatriot made more interceptions (11) and only Ogenyi Onazi produced more tackles (also 11).

Mehrdad Pooladi (Iran) - 7.38 WhoScored.com rating

Iran may not have gone out of the tournament all guns blazing (understatement) but they did impress from a defensive standpoint in their opening matches against Nigeria and Argentina. The best player in their backline by a considerable distance, Mehrdad Pooladi was undoubtedly the star performer for the Asian qualifiers from left-back, with a rating of 7.38 from WhoScored at least 0.50 greater than any other teammate.

The full-back displayed an impressive defensive armoury, making the most interceptions for his side (9), along with 10 tackles and 21 clearances to keep opposition onslaughts at bay. His timing in the challenge was also commendable, committing just 2 fouls to minimise opponents' potential threat from set pieces. Still plying his trade in his native Iran and now 27 years of age, Pooladi would likely be available for next to nothing in today's market and may deserve a chance at a club in Europe.

Muhamed Besic (Bosnia & Herzegovina) - 7.34 WhoScored.com rating

There will have been a number of clubs casting their eye over Bosnia & Herzegovina youngster Muhamed Besic this summer, with the 21-year-old given the nod over the more experienced Salihovic in midfield. He proved his worth to the side with a string of assured performances in the middle of the park and has the versatility to play at the back too. The question mark as far as Besic is concerned is his discipline, having been suspended by Hamburg and later sold to current club Ferencvaros in Hungary due to his attitude.

He seems to have matured under less pressure though, having received the hype early on in his career to become the youngest ever player to appear for the national side, and certainly displayed great composure on the field in Brazil. Besic has good close control and an impressive range of passing, completing 91% of his 223 pass attempts - ranking 6th in the group stages - and 28 of his 31 long ball efforts - ranking 7th. With 3 tackles and 3.3 successful dribbles per game to boot, Besic may be a gamble based on his temperament but certainly has the ability to play at a far superior level than he is at present.

Aissa Mandi (Algeria) - 7.23 WhoScored.com rating

Algeria were undoubtedly one of the surprise packages of the tournament, taking Germany right to the wire in the round of 16, though a closer inspection of their team shows a plethora of talent plying their trades across Europe's top 5 leagues. One of those is right-back Aissa Mandi, with the 22-year-old coming into the tournament off the back of an impressive campaign with Ligue 1 outfit Reims.

No teammate made more tackles than the full-back (11), despite the fact that he featured in just 3 of the Africans' 4 matches at the World Cup, with 3.7 per game an increase on an already impressive average of 3.1 from the league campaign. He also produced 2.3 interceptions per match, and in the three games Mandi started for Algeria they were unbeaten in normal time, with the youngster creating 2 chances for teammates at the business end of things.

Cristian Gamboa (Costa Rica) - 6.96 WhoScored.com rating

The only of the 5 here to remain in the competition at the quarter-final stages, there may well be interest in a whole host of Costa Rica's squad after their impressive World Cup campaign. One player that has certainly caught the eye is right-back Cristian Gamboa, who has combined an effective attacking outlet for the side with a solid defensive game. The 24-year-old has all the physical attributes that could see club Rosenborg struggle to keep hold of the defender this summer.

Gamboa looks to get forward and get balls into the box from wide, attempting 12 crosses at the time of writing, but is particularly strong in the tackle, winning a team high of 18 - at least 6 more than any teammate. Only three players produced more in the tournament up to the quarter-final stages and his energy levels have been crucial on the right hand side for Costa Rica, whose wide midfielders tend to cut inside rather than hug the touchline.

Which players have been the breakthrough acts of the 2014 World Cup? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below