Pogba, Ozil, Kane, Lovren and Sterling: The World Cup players with a point to prove in Premier League

A look at some of the stars from Russia 2018 and the various challenges awaiting them back in England's top tier

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15:  Paul Pogba of France celebrates with the World Cup Trophy following his sides victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.  (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
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Just four weeks after the World Cup came to a close in Russia, the Premier League is back in action from Friday night when Manchester United take on Leicester City.

Here is a look at five players, who performed at varying levels on international duty, and the respective objectives awaiting them back in club colours.

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SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JULY 14:  Harry Kane of England reacts during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia 3rd Place Playoff match between Belgium and England at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 14, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.  (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Harry Kane was top scorer at the World Cup and now faces the task of going back to the top of the scoring charts in the Premier League. Getty Images

Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur)

It feels a little unfair to include the World Cup’s top scorer, but Kane’s clinching of the Golden Boot did not completely convince.

His six goals in Russia included three penalties, a close-range header and a hugely deflected effort he knew next to nothing about.

For the most part, the England captain looked off the pace, the previous season’s exertions with Tottenham Hotspur, and race to full fitness after a late injury, perhaps taking its toll.

The Premier League’s lead marksman in two of the past three seasons, Kane will have sights trained on reclaiming that title from Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah. Expect goals and lots of them.

Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Lazio v Arsenal - Friends Arena, Stockholm, Sweden - August 4, 2018   Arsenal's Mesut Ozil gestures   REUTERS/Fabian Bimmer
Mesut Ozil will hope for happier times with Arsenal then he endured with Germany in the summer. Reuters

Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)

The fallout from Ozil’s World Cup has been explosive. The Germany midfielder was part of the world champions’ side dumped surprisingly from the tournament at the group stage.

Ozil bore the brunt, the Arsenal star criticised for both his performances and his May meeting with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Feeling he had been made a scapecoat by fans and the German FA, Ozil announced his retirement from international football.

Yet his relationship with Arsenal seems much stronger and his pre-season form has been encouraging. New manager Unai Emery has repeatedly backed him.

Although hugely inconsistent last season, Ozil remains a high-calibre creator. Arsenal should benefit from a narrowing of the playmaker’s focus.

epa06871422 Raheem Sterling of England (R) and goalkeeper Robin Olsen of Sweden in action during the FIFA World Cup 2018 quarter final soccer match between Sweden and England in Samara, Russia, 07 July 2018.

(RESTRICTIONS APPLY: Editorial Use Only, not used in association with any commercial entity - Images must not be used in any form of alert service or push service of any kind including via mobile alert services, downloads to mobile devices or MMS messaging - Images must appear as still images and must not emulate match action video footage - No alteration is made to, and no text or image is superimposed over, any published image which: (a) intentionally obscures or removes a sponsor identification image; or (b) adds or overlays the commercial identification of any third party which is not officially associated with the FIFA World Cup)  EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY   EDITORIAL USE ONLY
Raheem Sterling failed to score at the World Cup for England. EPA

Raheem Sterling (Manchester City)

Once more, Sterling divided opinion. The England forward began six of his side’s seven World Cup matches, employed primarily as Kane’s nearest support in attack, but his problems in front of goal continued.

Sterling was particularly wasteful in the quarter-final against Sweden, and he concluded the tournament still without a goal for England since October 2015.

However, last season’s club campaign could not have been any more different. Sterling scored 23 goals for the Premier League champions and appeared set to star in Russia.

As always, negative headlines have dogged him. Yet, with Pep Guardiola’s guidance at City, Sterling should silence the doubters – for now.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 15:  Paul Pogba of France celebrates with after scoring during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Final between France and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 15, 2018 in Moscow, Russia.  (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Paul Pogba is a World Cup winner with France. His challenge now is to find his best form for Manchester United. Getty Images

Paul Pogba (Manchester United)

Maybe it represents Jose Mourinho’s greatest conundrum: gleaning the best from one of the game’s most talented midfielders.

Pogba has for some time been a baffling presence at Manchester United, a high-value star not offering consistently top-level performances.

Yet he returns to Old Trafford as a World Cup winner. In Russia, Pogba was key to France’s march to a second global crown, his influence increasing as the tournament unfolded, on and off the pitch. He even scored in the final.

That augurs well for United, should Pogba deliver finally on his potential. And should Mourinho realise that his talent requires constructing a team around him.

epaselect epa06882008 Dejan Lovren (C) of Croatia celebrates with teammates after winning the FIFA World Cup 2018 semi final soccer match between Croatia and England in Moscow, Russia, 11 July 2018.

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Liverpool will hope Dejan Lovren can maintain his good form from the World Cup for Croatia. EPA

Dejan Lovren (Liverpool)

A successful World Cup can do wonders for self-belief. Take Liverpool’s Lovren. Asked following Croatia’s semi-final victory against England if he proved he belonged among the game’s best defenders, the centre-back replied.

“I think I have done that.” While he excelled at times in Russia, and has a silver medal to show for it, Lovren still has much to prove. He began last season badly, when poor decision-making and lapses in concentration pockmarked performances.

He improved considerably, though, after Virgil van Dijk arrived.

Still, Lovren needs a strong start to the campaign to allay fears he does not represent a weak link in an otherwise impressive Liverpool side.