⚽ Match in Vancouver kicks off at 12pm local time/4pm ET/8pm BST
David Pleat couldn’t have an unoriginal thought about football if he tried, so it’s a pleasure to see him back in the Guardian discussing five young stars of the World Cup. One of them should be in action tonight.
Johan Manzambi (Switzerland, 20)
The introduction of the forward in the last minutes of the game against Bosnia and Herzegovina was quite dramatic. Within minutes this powerful, speedy, right-footed player destroyed his opponents’ hopes of surviving with a draw. They had just lost Muharemovic and Manzambi exploited the extra space with perfect timing to get two goals. When he scored the first, a well taken volley, it was clear he would be the centre of attention and it reminded me of the impact on Michael Owen’s life when he brushed past Argentina defenders to score for England in Saint-Étienne. Manzambi spent his early days with Servette before moving to Freiburg and has shown he has the pace and power, combined with adequate control, to trouble defenders in the Bundesliga. He seems well respected by his colleagues there but after contributing a combined 16 goals and assists for his club this season, he may soon have new teammates.
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