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3 players who enhanced their reputation during the Confederations Cup

Now that the dust has settled on Brazil’s win, we pick out those who impressed most over the past two weeks.

BRAZIL WERE CROWNED deserving Confederations Cup champions at a delirious Estadio de Maracana last night with Neymar, Hulk, Fred and Paulinho just some of the members of a Brazilian squad which has further enhanced its reputation ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Aside from the winners, here are three players that did their reputations and future transfer fees no harm at all with some eye-catching displays during a memorable fortnight in South America.

Edinson Cavani – Uruguay

Credit: Fernando Llano/AP/Press Association Images

The Napoli striker added a few zeroes to his potential transfer fee following a consistent showing at this summer’s Confederations Cup. The 26-year old was stationed at the apex of a three-pronged Uruguayan attack that also included Luis Suarez and Diego Forlan, scored three goals in four appearances and underlined his undoubted quality with a wonderful free-kick in the 2-2 third and fourth place play-off against Italy.

Chelsea continue to hover, waving a €58 million transfer fee cheque in the air and based on his most recent displays, Cavani would be worth every cent.

Daniele De Rossi – Italy

Credit: Eugene Hoshiko/AP/Press Association Images

Andrea Pirlo might be the Italian and world media’s darling but the Juventus playmaker’s influence would be less effective without Daniele De Rossi by his side. De Rossi was the central cog in Cesare Prandelli’s 3-4-2-1 formation at the Confederations Cup with the Roma midfielder’s ability to get from box to box, close down opposing attacks (his performance against Spain underling this fact) and support his front three cementing his status as one of the best defensive midfielders in the game.

Manchester City have not yet given up hope of securing the Italian’s signature and De Rossi would represent a huge upgrade of the 2012 Premier League champions’ midfield.

Shinji Kagawa – Japan

Credit: Andre Penner/AP/Press Association Images

Premier League fans know all about the Manchester United midfielder’s qualities since transferring from Borussia Dortmund despite an injury-plagued first season in English football. Kagawa played in an exciting attacking Japanese midfield alongside Hiroshi Kiyotake and Keisuke Honda that lit up the early stages of this summer’s Confederations Cup.

Kagawa scored a cracking volley in the 4-3 loss to Italy and starred in the narrow 2-1 defeat to Mexico, brilliantly linking midfield with attack and enjoying a 79% pass rating. David Moyes will hope his Japanese international can carry his summer form into the early weeks of the new domestic campaign where a full pre-season should see Shinji Kagawa stake a claim for a first team spot.

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13 Comments
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    Mute Kev Wade
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    Jul 1st 2013, 5:43 PM

    Ah here surely Neymar should have made the top 3 now?

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    Mute Ger McCarthy
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    Jul 1st 2013, 8:34 PM

    If you re-read the second para you’ll see I stated ‘apart from the winners’ but thanks for commenting.

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    Mute Barry
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    Jul 1st 2013, 9:51 PM

    Cavani added a few zeros to his transfer fee? By that logic he is now worth over a billion.

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    Mute Ossi Fritsche
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    Jul 1st 2013, 5:46 PM

    What about David Luis?

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    Mute Fin Tastic
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    Jul 1st 2013, 8:32 PM

    Got to love Sideshow Bob. An absolute class act even if he is a flawed genius.

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    Mute Jambbie
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    Jul 1st 2013, 7:51 PM

    Maggio great attacking RB.

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    Mute Ger McCarthy
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    Jul 1st 2013, 8:39 PM

    I like Maggio and thought he did well too but in my opinion De Rossi was far more important to Italy’s progression

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    Mute Gavin Buckley
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    Jul 2nd 2013, 1:14 AM

    Because di Rossi ‘s performance against Spain ” cemented his reputation”, Christ,
    He has played 88 times for Italy, won the world cup! The man’s reputation preceded this fun fair of a competition !

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    Mute Bacon Bap
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    Jul 2nd 2013, 1:05 PM

    What a load of rubbish this is.

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    Mute Paddy Harnett
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    Jul 1st 2013, 6:07 PM

    Fred, no?

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    Mute Ger McCarthy
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    Jul 1st 2013, 8:34 PM

    See second para where I state ‘apart from the winners’

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    Mute Chris Rea
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    Jul 1st 2013, 8:16 PM

    Cavani? He was rubbish apart from the italian game, poor shout! Also Neymar has to be in the list, lots of “over-rated” comments before the tournament

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    Mute Ger McCarthy
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    Jul 1st 2013, 8:36 PM

    Thought Cavani worked really hard without the ball and led the Uruguayan attack well throughout the tournament. Second para states the fact this article is about 3 players ‘apart from the winners’. Thanks for the comment though

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