Ali Mabkhout, Keisuke Honda and Marco Asensio: players to watch at the Fifa Club World Cup

Swipe left/right on your browser to see John McAuley's picks for the players to watch out for at the Fifa Club World Cup UAE 2017

Ali Mabkhout (Al Jazira) The UAE striker, 27, displayed his ability by securing the Golden Boot at the 2015 Asian Cup. Scored 33 goals in 25 AGL matches last season – a pro-era record. Courtesy AGL

Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) The midfielder, 21, has been long identified as one of Spain’s best talents and lived up to that last season, scoring important goals in Madrid’s dominant domestic and European campaigns. Getty Images

Yosuke Kashiwagi (Urawa Red Diamonds) The Japanese midfielder, 29, was instrumental in Urawa’s Asian Champions League success, recording five assists and one goal. Has five goals and 11 assists in this year’s J1 League, too. Masashi Hara / Getty Images

Achraf Hakimi (Real Madrid) The Moroccan right-back, 19, has enjoyed a remarkable rise since replacing the injured Dani Carvajal this season. Performances have earned him a recent call-up to his national team. Angel Martinez / Getty Images

Mbark Boussoufa (Al Jazira) The Moroccan midfielder, 33, shone for Jazira last season as they captured a second UAE top-flight title. Helped his national team reach next year’s World Cup. Karim Jafaar / AFP

Achraf Bencharki (Wydad Casablanca) The Moroccan striker, 23, joined Wydad last year and went on to score five goals and register two assists to help his club clinch the CAF Champions League. Getty Images

Rafael Silva (Urawa Red Diamonds) The Brazilian striker, 25, has been in breathtaking form since joining Urawa earlier this year. Scored nine goals in the club’s Asian Champions League-winning run. Kaz Photography / Getty Images

Arthur Melo (Gremio) The Brazilian midfielder, 21, has been linked to a €50 million (Dh217.7m) transfer to Barcelona. Rose to prominence this year, helping Gremio win the Copa Libertadores. Nelson Almeida / AFP

Keisuke Honda (Pachuca) The Japanese playmaker, 31, represented CSKA Moscow and AC Milan before joining Pachuca this summer. Already shown his set-piece prowess and ability to score from distance. Saul Gonzalez / Getty Images

Emiliano Tade (Auckland City) The Argentine forward, 29, has an unrivalled record in New Zealand, scoring 91 goals in 159 appearances since signing from Team Wellington. Appearing in sixth Club World Cup. Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images

Theo Hernandez (Real Madrid) - Hernandez was heavily in demand this summer, as the young defender’s versatile set of abilities caught the eye of many clubs, but Real Madrid were able to snatch him before anyone else for an impressive 20 million pounds. Hernandez’s high pace and energy, in addition to his occasional affinity for scoring goals, makes him a promising prospect. Angel Martinez / Getty Images

Angel Berlanga (Auckland City) - A Spanish-born defender, Angel Berlanga will be hoping to captain The Navy Blues to a FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017 showdown with his hometown club, Real Madrid. The Spaniard is in his second stint at Auckland, following a successful spell between 2010-2013 where he helped the side to their successive run of OFC Champions League titles. Getty Images

Ryan De Vries (Auckland City) - Born in South Africa, Ryan De Vries moved with to New Zealand with his family in 2008, where he would soon make his professional football debut with Waitakere United in 2010. He joined Auckland City in 2013. As of today, he has played over 90 games and scored more than 40 goals in the Sterling Sports Premiership. He won the Sterling Sports Premiership Golden Boot award in the 2015/2016 season after scoring 15 goals, which is the highest number of goals ever scored by a Golden Boot winner in the Premiership. He also played a crucial role in Auckland City’s FIFA Club World Cup third place win in 2014. Getty Images

Osmar Gonzalez (Pachuca) - Gonzalez is one of the most recognisable players in North America, given his success for both club and country. The former LA Galaxy defender won three MLS Cup’s during his time in Los Angeles, whilst a move to Pachuca has heralded similar results, picking up the Liga MX and CONCACAF Champions League titles in his first season. In the CCL Final, Gonzalez was applauded for containing Tigres star striker, Andre-Pierre Gingac and his partnership in defense with Columbian Oscar Murillo is considered the best in the league. Jaime Lopez / Getty Images

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Read more:

• Ramon Tribulietx interview: Auckland City have 'belief' they can compete at Fifa Club World Cup
• Henk ten Cate interview: Al Jazira have chance to promote Abu Dhabi to 'hundreds of millions'
• New arrivals: Auckland City's experienced squad make way to UAE for Club World Cup
• Line-up complete: Gremio win Copa Libertadores to complete Fifa Club World Cup participants

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