2010 World Cup Preview: Some Things to Watch For

It is the pinnacle of dreams for footballers around the world.

But for the common folk, like myself who have absolutely no magical potential with my feet, the World Cup is an event riddled with passion, patriotism and fanaticism bundled together for a showcase of saintly football talent.

It is the Olympics of football—a coming together of fans and players alike to witness the world’s most popular game played on the world’s biggest stage.

With so much hype drilled into every moment leading up to the opening round, it is no surprise that this is an event into which the entire football world is so constantly tuned. Friendlies, injury reports, strange strategic gambles, and relentless advertising dominate the football headlines.

And millions of people still want more.

As we head into the final week before the opening match between Mexico and host country South Africa, here are some things to watch for during the next month of football ecstasy.

Injuries

A great handful of football superstars fell into the hands of team physicians a little earlier than many would have liked. How will these setbacks affect respective squads? Some teams will suffer more than others, but here is a look at the significant ones.

Didier Drogba, FW, Ivory Coast . This one hurts the most out of any pre-World Cup injury. With Ivory Coast drawing both Portugal and Brazil—no football slouches by any means—Drogba was seemingly the team’s golden ticket out of the group stages and into the knockout rounds. Though he’s recently had surgery to repair a broken arm, his return is still questionable. It would have been tough to advance in this group in the first place, but without the Chelsea striker—arguably the best finisher in the world—it will make the undertaking an even steeper of a hill to climb.

Michael Ballack, MF, Germany . The centerpiece of the German midfield, the white and black will miss their captain in South Africa despite having capable replacements at the position. With Germany as the lion and favorite in Group D, Ballack's absence serves less of an impact during group play. At any rate, they have more than capable forwards that can pick up the slack for any shortcomings in the middle third, but they will sorely miss Ballack’s moxie and aggression in the midfield—the true impacts of which will be felt in the knockout rounds rather than in the group stages.

Michael Essien, MF, Ghana . A third Chelsea man will be watching the World Cup rather than playing. Essien’s work-rate and power are utilities that the Ghanaian team can hardly replace with any one player. Without his services, team Ghana looks to be in a hard-nosed fight for a second-place finish and the advancement into the knockout rounds with the Aussies.

John Obi Mikel, MF, Nigeria . Mikel’s large physique and experience at the highest levels are measurables that would have lent a great hand in Nigeria’s quest to move beyond the group stages. With offensive giant Argentina and a respectable Greek team in its group, the Nigerians will have to look elsewhere for a solid, defensive-minded midfielder. Though Mikel is not a huge scoring threat on his feet, the power and skill from the air may leave a gap for other teams to exploit.

Rio Ferdinand, DF, England . Probably less of a concern that many come to think, Ferdinand’s absence is truly not a great setback for a stacked English squad. Between defenders Michael Dawson and Ledley King—two Tottenham selections—they are more than capable in handling the backfield duties. Replacing the leadership and experience, however, will be harder to come by, but it is hard to doubt a well put-together English team.

Arjen Robben, FW, Netherlands . Just a few days ago, the Dutch winger left with a hamstring injury late in a friendly match against Hungary, but has vowed to be fit for the group stages. This one will be interesting to watch because of his enchanting skills with the ball, and his ability to unload thunderous strikes from distance. We saw his magnificence during Champions League play, and his capacity to change the momentum of any game is a crucial talent to hold onto.

Charlie Davies, FW, United States . With the United States already deprived of talented strikers at the top level, Davies’ injury has made headline after headline in past months, and could generate more debate as the World Cup begins this weekend. As the only striker with a strong combination of experience, pace and skill, the American team will need more production out of Jozy Altidore, Robbie Findley and Edson Buddle up front if the USA are to make a serious run deep into the tournament.

Andrea Pirlo, MF, Italy . Pirlo’s knack for delivering crisp balls and maintaining possession could prove to be an Achilles heel for the defending World Cup Champions. Without his skill set, the Italians lack a true two-way midfielder who can provide his teammates with the chances to score goals. Though the team is talented enough to advance past the group stages, if Pirlo is to miss the World Cup, the knockout rounds is where his absence will be felt.

The England-United States Match

It is a game of monumental anticipation.

A headliner in the first of this weekend’s games, the England-USA match-up will be one that millions of viewers will eye. For England, it’s a stepping stone towards capturing its first World Cup title in 44 years. For the Americans, it’s also a stepping stone to solidifying a position as a respected world selection after a great run into the Finals in last year’s Confederations Cup.

Players to watch :

Wayne Rooney, FW, England . Coming off a heartbreaking injury in a Champions League match against Bayern Münich, Rooney will be a tough match-up for the American defenders.

Landon Donovan, MF, United States . After what many have qualified as a successful loan deal with Everton, Donovan has the chance to stamp his name as one of the great American footballers. But he has to show up on the biggest stage of all and enable success for his teammates. His familiarity goes both ways, as his knowledge of the English game in addition to England's perception of Donovan's ability may affect the outcome.

The Brazil-Portugal Match

No doubt this game may contain some trash-talking here and there in anticipation of and during this Group G match-up.

Talk about the powers that be. Some of Europe’s greatest club footballers will showcase their talent on June 25. No need for introductions; let’s just watch as some of the top players in the world will be on the pitch for this one.

Players to watch :

Kaká, MF, Brazil . He is tall, he is slender, he is agile. He is Kaká. The Real Madrid star may be the center of attention for both squads, and great runs could start and end with this Brazilian.

Luis Fabiano, FW, Brazil . Fabiano can do it all, and he will demonstrate such skill thoroughly. He’s fast, dexterous with the ball, and he can finish with both his feet and his head. He is the goal-scorer that Brazil needs to make a run at another cup title.

Cristiano Ronaldo, FW, Portugal . Maybe the world’s top footballer, Ronaldo hardly needs an introduction. Even though teams know what he is capable of, they simply cannot stop his magic and finishes. Do not take your eye off of him when the ball is at his feet, you might miss the play of the tournament.

The Breakout Player

Every World Cup, there is at least one player that shines on the grandest of football stages. Sometimes he is an unknown, sometimes he is little known. I will only pick one, but here is my selection—a popular one—as the next football starlet that many club teams will covet during this summer’s transfer season.

Eljero Elia, FW, Netherlands . Many are already prepping for this 23-year-old to emerge as a star in South Africa. The Dutch are loaded up front, but with Robben’s services in question, Elia’s role as a super-sub or even in a starting role on the left side will be one to watch.

Goals, Goals, Goals

It is the fuel that propels World Cup Champions. Which player will win the Golden Boot for most goals scored in the tournament? Which squad will net the most goals? Historically, the squad that hoists the trophy at the end of the tournament notches about two goals a game.

Here are the teams with that kind of potential, making them heavier favorites to advance deeper into the tournament:

Spain . Some of the world’s best forwards hail from Spain: Liverpool’s Fernando Torres and newly signed Barcelona man David Villa. But the Spanish are loaded with star youngsters and veterans alike in the midfield. Though still battling injury, Cesc Fábregas is one of the world’s best, and another Barca attacker Pedro plays like a striker. This goes without mentioning two other midfielders from Barcelona, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, to go along with a handful of potent options and substitutes.

Portugal . Ronaldo has the skill set to score goals on his own accord, but the Portuguese team has several midfield options at its disposal to create chances on the fly. Nani is a speedy winger with great footwork and Deco still has the tricks and skill with the ball to produce, even at 32.

Argentina . Another candidate to lead the tournament in goals is Argentina’s next big thing who has actually already arrived. If you haven’t seen Lionel Messi’s work on the pitch, you haven’t been watching proper football. In addition to the 22-year-old Barcelona superstar, coach and Argentinean legend Diego Maradona has Champions League hero Diego Milito and the always working Carlos Tevez at his discretion up front—any of which can finish with the best of them. Keep an eye on Sergio Aguero, another 22-year-old starlet who can be just as shifty as Messi.

Netherlands . The Dutch have been known to produce fantastic strikers, and this year’s selection in the final third is no exception. Wiry veteran Robin Van Persie has power few can match. Robben is a question mark, but is definitely a game-changing goal scorer. Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt is a workhorse who has great finishing abilities, and Ryan Babel is a speedster with nimble footwork to complement. Wesley Sneijder is deadly from the midfield, and many are waiting for his form to emerge during big games.

Brazil . When you think of goal scoring machines, you think of Brazil. Fabiano and Kaká can finish at any time with either their feet or noggins. Robinho, when in form, is a very skilled player who can slither his way around defenders. Maicon is always a threat for long runs up the side or even unfathomable strikes like this . But almost every player on the team can head the ball with purpose and power, a deadly combination for set pieces in which the Brazilians are known to specialize.

France . Though France is like an old, but well-maintained Cadillac, do not mistake them for something they are not. Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is still the smooth glider and finisher he has been his entire career. Fellow Blues midfield/winger Florent Malouda has the pace and cunning to slide past defenders and in position to score, and Franck Ribery is one of the best midfielders in the world with his quickness and magic with the ball.

With all of this to digest, the month long World Cup will be one we all will remember.