Scouting World Cup Stars: Ellyes Skhiri

After breaking out onto the scene for Montpellier back in 2015, Ellyes Skhiri has the opportunity to lead Tunisia where they’ve never been before. Grouped together with tournament contenders England and Belgium as well as World Cup newbies Panama, Les Aigles de Carthage face a tall task ahead to get out of the group - yet showed signs of progression in their narrow defeat in the opener. With Skhiri at the base of midfield, Tunisia proved hard to break down and will look to bring that into match-day two against a high-flying Belgium side. Skhiri moved to France at a young age and made his way up the Montpellier youth ranks until he eventually featured for the first team three years ago.

From his youth days, the 23-year-old shuffled around the midfield until he finally settled in as a deep lying playmaker, all-while maintaining his versatility. Equally capable of breaking up play as he is distributing the ball, Skhiri will prove to be quite the asset in Russia for Nabil Maâloul’s side.

In his World Cup debut against the Three Lions, the Tunisian international was tasked with anchoring the midfield and impressed in front of the back four, shielding his side from various English forrays. If you hadn’t known it was his first appearance on the world stage, you wouldn’t be the wiser. Against Southgate’s men, Skhiri exuded the confidence of a veteran and registered four tackles as well as an interception.

More importantly, the Montpellier man completed more than 85 per cent of his passes, highlighting his ability to create from deep. Considering it was only his second appearance for the senior national team, there is still plenty of room for growth - a positive prospect, indeed. While Tunisia eventually fell short due to a late stoppage time winner from Harry Kane, Skhiri and co. proved to be a handful when in full flow.