World Cup Fantasy Preview: Chile

Chile are next up on Group B and may be the danger men of the whole competition.

Goalkeepers:

Claudio Bravo (Real Sociedad), Johnny Herrera (Universidad de Chile), Cristopher Toselli (Universidad Catolica)

Defenders:

Gary Medel (Cardiff City), Gonzalo Jara (Nottingham Forest), Marcos Gonzalez (Union Espanola), Jose Rojas (Universidad de Chile), Eugenio Mena (Santos), Mauricio Isla (Juventus)

Midfielders:

Jorge Valdivia (Palmeiras), Felipe Gutierrez (Twente), Rodrigo Millar (Atlas), Jose Pedro Fuenzalida (Colo Colo), Francisco Silva (Osasuna), Arturo Vidal (Juventus), Charles Aranguiz (Internacional), Marcelo Diaz (Basel), Carlos Carmona (Atalanta), Miiko Albornoz (Malmo)

Forwards:

Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona), Eduardo Vargas (Valencia), Jean Beausejour (Wigan Athletic), Mauricio Pinilla (Cagliari), Fabian Orellana (Celta)

Fantasy players to watch

Mauricio Isla

The Juventus right back is one of those relentless types.  Bombing forward for his club he is expected to more so if that is possible for Chile.

Eugenio Mena

As with the right back the left back is also expected to get forward constantly.  3 goals in 23 games may tempt you.

Arturo Vidal

Perhaps the best box to box central midfield player in the world right now.  At 27 he is in his prime and will be the driving force in the Chilean system.  A big match player he was the joint top scorer in qualification.  The mohawk will be everywhere.

Charles Aranguiz

The most likely midfielder to end up in the opposition's penalty area in a team that end up in opponents penalty areas plenty,

Alexis Sanchez

Perhaps the player you are most familiar with.  Rumours he will be sold in the summer by the £30m price tag will limit his options.  Sanchez has 22 in 65 games and can play anywhere across the front line.

Eduardo Vargas

A real danger and joint top scorer in qualification.  He is easily wound up effecting his performances but is quick and skillful.  11 in 28 goals he plays his club football at Napoli.

Conclusion

Chile are the team who worry everybody in their half of the draw.  A team that press high up and commit exclusively to attacking they may be the most fun team to watch in the competition.  The all out attack system and some very slow centre backs mean they are unlikely to win the World Cup but very likely to take one or two scalps along the way.  An opening tie over Australia should set them up for perhaps the game of the the first round against Spain.  Even Brazil may prefer to avoid them in round two.  Whatever their results Chile are this years entertainers and for some a dark horse.

Stall