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The best 30 players at the World Cup

By James Dudko

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the International friendly match match between Portugal and The Netherlands at Stade de Genève on March 26, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the International friendly match match between Portugal and The Netherlands at Stade de Genève on March 26, 2018 in Geneva, Switzerland(Photo by VI Images via Getty Images) /
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BRUSSEL, BELGIUM – MARCH 27: (L-R) Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium, Abdullah Otayf of Saudi Arabia during the International Friendly match between Belgium v Saudi Arabia at the Koning Boudewijnstadion on March 27, 2018 in Brussel Belgium (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)
BRUSSEL, BELGIUM – MARCH 27: (L-R) Kevin de Bruyne of Belgium, Abdullah Otayf of Saudi Arabia during the International Friendly match between Belgium v Saudi Arabia at the Koning Boudewijnstadion on March 27, 2018 in Brussel Belgium (Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

9. Kevin De Bruyne, midfielder, Belgium

Kevin De Bruyne has never quite replicated his club form for Belgium. Yet the Red Devils will be hoping the Manchester City star hasn’t used up all his defense-splitting passes this season.

De Bruyne tallied 20 assists for the champions of England. He’s ceaseless in his attempts to unlock defenses.

The appetite for an assist can make the difference for Belgium. Coach Martinez encourages an expansive style of play reliant on playmakers as skilled as De Bruyne.

It’s a possession-based mode of playing similar to the one De Bruyne has taken to so well at City.

He will be tasked with making sure Lukaku, Hazard and Napoli man Dries Mertens have enough chances to win matches. If the tactics favored by Martinez bring out the best in De Bruyne, Belgium’s forward line has the ability to dominate in Russia.

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