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WINNERS
Toni Kroos
Kroos’ move to Real Madrid looked a risky one, as better players than him have been ruined by it. Instead he has stepped up a gear, and another match winning performance for Germany proved his growing importance for his country too.
Andrew Robertson
The youngster battled one of the best full-backs in the business at the weekend when he faced Republic of Ireland’s Seamus Coleman, and put in another dynamic performance against England on Tuesday, scoring a great goal and threatening Nathaniel Clyne throughout.
Nathaniel Clyne
The Englishman did a great job against the raiding Robertson however, and the Scot’s goal was more down to Raheem Sterling’s failure to track back. Clyne put in two good performances for England, and appears to have put an end to Glen Johnson’s international career.
Christian Eriksen
Eriksen was singled out by his coach Morten Olsen after Denmark’s loss to Portugal last month, but used the criticism as fuel for an excellent performance against Serbia on Friday. The Danes, inspired by Eriksen, fought back from 1-0 down to win 3-1.
Xherdan Shaqiri
Shaqiri is trying to force his way out of Bayern Munich, and his performances this week will have seriously increased interest in the attacker. The Swiss youngster, who was allegedly called “not clever enough” for Bayern Munich by Pep Guardiola, scored twice against Lithuania and played the full 90 minutes of his country’s friendly draw with Poland.
Roberto Firmino
Hoffenheim attacker Roberto Firmino got his first callup to the Selecao last month, and now has his first goal, an impressive long range strike in his country’s 2-1 win over Austria. The youngster has been linked with a move to the Premier League, and at this rate, those rumours won’t be going anywhere.
LOSERS
Luka Modric
Modric has been outstanding for the last 18 months, and the injury he picked up in Croatia’s draw with Italy will be a bitter blow. The problem could keep him out for three months, so he will hope to be back in time for the business end of the season.
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey’s form has been poor for Arsenal, and the midfielder now finds his international performances being questioned. He will be desperate to put things right against a makeshift Manchester United defence on Saturday, and the Gunners star does have a good record when it comes to proving his critics wrong.
Daniel Sturridge
Sturridge’s injury has gone from inconvenient, to annoying, to worrying for Liverpool fans. Yet another setback in the striker’s recovery is now creating fears over a long term problem, rather than just frustration over missed games.
Jordan Henderson
Sturridge’s clubmate had a pretty poor game against Slovenia, the lowlights being a pass hit straight out of play and an own goal, and the midfielder then picked up a knock and was unable to feature against Scotland.
The Reds need the midfielder on top form to stop their slide, and will hope he can find some form against Crystal Palace this weekend.
Manchester United
The fitness problems continue for Louis van Gaal, who can now add David de Gea, Daley Blind, and potentially Angel di Maria and Luke Shaw, to his injury list.
Nobody knows what United’s teamsheet will look like at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, but even a best case scenario won’t be easy reading for Red Devils fans.
Spain
The Spain national side lost one of the great records in international football, yet another sign of their waning powers on the international stage.