RATED: Every player who earned a major move after the 2018 World Cup

Every World Cup must make chairmen across Europe feel like a kid in a candy store.

All this new talent showing their abilities on the world stage just waiting to be hoovered up by the highest bidder.

Whether they then become bargain buys, shrewd acquisitions or just awful flops is down to the player but there is no denying the tournament acts like a shop window for those taking part.

The 2018 World Cup in Russia was no different with many players getting their big move off the back of some impressive performances for their national team.

With that in mind Squawka takes a look at those who made the most of their chance in Russia as we rate each big mover out of 10.

Read on to find out more:

Axel Witsel

Club before World Cup: Tianjin Quanjian

Club after World Cup: Borussia Dortmund (£18m)

The Belgium player was somewhat forgotten after he moved to China to play for Tianjin Quanjian but Axel Witsel soon showed the world what they had been missing.

His performances in Russia, especially his work-rate and aerial prowess, caught the eye and Borussia Dortmund soon swooped in an £18m move.

Key stat: Witsel has won more aerial duels per 90 minutes (4.5) than any other Dortmund player to have started a game this season.

Rating: 9/10

Robin Olsen

Club before World Cup: Copenhagen

Club after World Cup: AS Roma (£7.6m)

Robin Olsen was solid for a nation which could have been described using the same phrase. His shot-stopping was excellent and he helped Sweden progress into the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994.

It was no surprise that Roma swooped to sign him as a replacement for outgoing stopper Alisson.

Key stat: Robin Olsen made more saves at the World Cup (11) than David de Gea (one) and Alisson (five) combined.

Rating: 7/10

Aleksandr Golovin

Club before World Cup: CSKA Moscow

Club after World Cup: AS Monaco (£27m)

Russia surprised everyone at the World Cup. Playing on home soil the host nation put on a show that saw them progress all the way to the quarter-finals only to lose to Croatia on penalties.

Aleksandr Golovin was one of the key players for his country throughout. His performance against Saudi Arabia in which he assisted two and scored a magnificent free-kick for in the tournament’s opener, was a particular highlight.

He joined Ligue 1 side Monaco during the summer, having initially been linked with a move to Chelsea, but is yet to play for his new side.

Key stat: No Russian player had more assists (two) than Aleksandr Golovin during the 2018 World Cup.

Rating: N/A

Yoshinori Muto

Club before World Cup: Mainz

Club after World Cup: Newcastle United (£9.5m)

Yoshinori Muto was one of a number in the Japanese squad to impress in Russia. The neat passing and high energy play of the Samurai Blue caught the eye of many neutral fans leading to Muto getting his move to the Premier League.

It is early days for Muto but he looks like being an interesting signing for Newcastle United, having made three substitute appearances so far.

Key stat: Yoshinori Muto was directly involved in more goals (10) than any other Mainz player last season (eight goals, two assists).

Rating: 7/10

Denis Cheryshev

Club before World Cup: Villarreal

Club after World Cup: Valencia (loan)

Denis Cheryshev’s great energy was a joy to behold for a Russian crowd who were expecting very little from their team at the World Cup.

Performance prior to the tournament had been awful but they got better and better as the World Cup progressed with Cheryshev netting four times as the hosts reached the quarter-finals.

He earned a loan move to Valencia during the summer and he has already bagged his first La Liga goal this season.

Key stat: Denis Cheryshev scored more goals (four) than any other Russian player during the World Cup.

Rating: 8/10

Xherdan Shaqiri

Club before World Cup: Stoke City

Club after World Cup: Liverpool (£13m)

The Swiss international had an excellent World Cup becoming the stand out player for his nation. With Stoke being relegated it was always going to be an important tournament for Xherdan Shaqiri and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands.

He bagged a memorable late winner against Serbia while also being the go to player for Switzerland who fell by a single goal to Sweden in the second round.

His performances were enough to get a move to Liverpool where he will likely be used as an impact sub offering Klopp’s side luxury depth off the bench.

Key stat: No Swiss player had more shots per game (3.3) at the World Cup than Xherdan Shaqiri.

Rating: 7/10

Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Club before World Cup: AZ Alkmaar

Club after World Cup: Brighton & Hove Albion (£17m)

It is not often that Iran can call upon a creative talent as their attritional style of play often requires more defensive minded players but Alireza Jahanbakhsh offers a different option.

The 25-year-old scored 25 goals in 33 games in the Eredivisie for AZ Alkmaar last season making a move, even before the World Cup, almost inevitable.

Sure enough Chris Houghton and Brighton came calling and, £17m later, the Iranian midfielder was in Sussex.

Key stat: No Iranian created more chances (two) or completed more take-ons (three) than Jahanbakhsh during their three games at the  World Cup.

Rating: 7/10

Sime Vrsaljko

Club before World Cup: Atletico Madrid

Club after World Cup: Inter Milan (loan)

Sime Vrsaljko was one of Croatia’s star men in a truly epic World Cup campaign. Injury had hampered his performance while with Atletico but he proved just how good he can be in Russia. He created more chances (5) than any other defender in the side which is a testament to his marauding runs.

Inter, rebuilding over the summer under Spalletti, came calling and the full-back arrived at the San Siro on loan.

Key stat: Sime Vrsaljko made more interceptions than any other Croatian during the World Cup (11).

Rating: 7/10

Steven Nzonzi

Club before World Cup: Sevilla

Club after World Cup: AS Roma (£23.7m)

The signing of Steven Nzonzi can be seen as a direct replacement for the departing Radja Nainggolan as Roma hope to build on a promising season last time out.

Fresh from winning the World Cup, Nzonzi offers experience and drive in the midfield to help what a squad full of young talent.

Key stat: Steven Nzonzi has created 88.8% of his passes in Serie A for Roma so far this season.

Rating: 7/10

Nacer Chadli

Club before World Cup: West Bromwich Albion

Club after World Cup: AS Monaco (£10.8m)

West Brom fans must have rued watching Nacer Chadli perform at the World Cup after the player missed nearly the entire season as the Baggies were relegated with a whimper.

His highlight of the World Cup came in the last-16, scoring the decisive goal for Belgium in their match against Japan to complete a dramatic comeback.

Chadli is yet to play for Monaco but will be hoping for an injury-free season.

Key stat: Apart from Kevin de Bruyne, no Belgium player completed more crosses (four) at the World Cup than Nacer Chadli.

Rating: N/A

Yerry Mina

Club before World Cup: Barcelona

Club after World Cup: Everton (£27m)

Yerry Mina looked to have broken English hearts when he bagged a stoppage-time equaliser in the round-of-16 game against England.

His presence at the back was immense and in particular his aerial ability and threat going forward.

Everton needed to shore up at the back and in Mina they may have found their man although he is yet to make an appearance for the Toffees due to injury.

Key stat: Only Davinson Sanchez made more clearances (25) for Colombia at the World Cup than Yerry Mina’s 21.

Rating: N/A

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