Russia 2018: The best player on every team at the World Cup

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Mario Goetze of Germany celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Final match between Germany and Argentina at Maracana on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images) /

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Dusan Tadic of Serbia during the FIFA World Cup 2018 Qualifying Round match between Republic of Ireland and Serbia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland on September 5, 2017 (Photo by Andrew Surma/NurPhoto via Getty Images) /

Serbia: Dusan Tadic

There have been two distinct Dusan Tadic’s this season. There has been the Southampton Tadic, who has registered just three goals and three assists in nearly 30 Premier appearances. The Serbian came to the south coast with a lot of swagger in 2014 after impressing for Twente in the Netherlands. Sadly, the more exciting aspects of his game haven’t been on show for the Saints in recent seasons.

Then there is Serbia Tadic. Serbia Tadic scored four goals in his country’s crucial qualification campaign, in which they cruised to a second World Cup appearance. Outside of the goals, the 29-year-old was involved out wide providing a constant threat and caused Ireland no end of issues both in Belgrade and Dublin, where they all but sealed qualification. The World Cup will ask different, more difficult questions of Tadic. It might be Tadic’s last chance to prove to the world that he’s still indeed the talented midfielder that looked so promising for Twente.

Should that version of Tadic show up, then Serbia are a threat. They finished top of a very difficult group and they did so very much on merit. On form, they will trouble any side in Russia. Should Tadic not show up, then Serbia lose among their most potent attackers from the qualifiers and it will likely be a disappointing second World Cup showing.

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