World Cup Talent Scout: Giorgian de Arrascaeta

Fellow midfielder Lucas Torreira was expected to be the main focus after his strong links with Arsenal but he was surprisingly benched by Oscar Tabarez for the Group A opener - with 24-year-old De Arrascaeta making the starting XI.

The Cruzeiro No. 10 was a member of the Uruguay side which finished second in the 2013 under-20 World Cup and his senior debut came in September 2014, making him a fresh face for the new World Cup cycle. He came into the tournament with 14 caps and two goals.

De Arrascaeta came through the ranks with Defensor Sporting in his home country and was a member of the team who lost a title play-off in 2013, as well as making a subsequent run to the Copa Libertadores semi-final. His exploits for Uruguay's youth teams and Defensor brought attention from across the continent and he joined Brazilian club Cruzeiro in 2015.

De Arrascaeta cemented his reputation as one of South America's brightest talents when helping Cruzeiro lift the Campeonato Mineiro in 2018. He has 40 goals in 159 appearances for the Brazilian club.

Strengths: De Arrascaeta is known as a devilish dribbler whose close control makes him a nightmare to deal with. Also takes a mean free-kick and delivers a good cross.

Weaknesses: Lacks experience and isn't particularly tactically flexible - meaning he could be limited to cameo roles in Russia. His passing also needs some work.

De Arrascaeta started on the left of midfield in Tabarez’s 4-4-2 system but soon drifted infield when swapping with Rodrigo Betancur. Uruguay often went long to Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani though and midfield was an afterthought at times.

It was evident that Uruguay respect his talent as De Arrascaeta was on corner duty, and while he saw little of the ball, he did produce a few sparks which suggested he is capable of bringing more to the side if used as a proper playmaker.

Unfortunately, his touch deserted him at a crucial moment in the first half. Diego Godin went on a surging run from the centre of defence and laid the ball off to his team-mate at the edge of the box. A good touch would have taken De Arrascaeta into the box in a dangerous position but he lost control with a heavy swing of his foot.

He was subbed off after 58 minutes.

On this evidence, Wolves should hold fire before trying to bring him to England. De Arrascaeta may need a more forgiving landing than the Premier League if he does come to England and a move to Ligue 1 might be more appropriate.