The summer has been one of familiarity for Spurs fans with players from the club gracing the world stage in abundance. Now the quarter final fixtures have been played out and we are down to the final four. Tottenham can boast nine players left in Russia, which is more than any other club side in the world.

So, with this in mind, we look at some of the players left to see how they have fared and whether Spurs will boast a World Cup winner or two in their ranks ahead of the big Premier League kick off in August.

Harry Kane – England

England’s captain is the perfect place to start and is having the tournament of his life. Currently the front runner for the Golden Boot. Kane has the best chance to add to his tally with two more games to play. Tottenham’s number nine boasts six strikes which is two more than Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku putting him in pole position. Golden Boot winner and captain of the World Cup winners? It could well be.

Dele Alli – England

Up until Saturday, Alli had mixed performances at the World Cup and was even a doubt for the Colombia and Sweden game’s. However, the quarter final against the Swedes announced Alli on the World stage after finding the back of the net to double England’s advantage and book the Three Lions passage to the semi-finals.

That performance will have assured Alli a starting spot against Croatia in the last four tie.

Eric Dier – England

The midfielder has had to play understudy to Jordan Henderson in the middle of the park but has been solid as a rock when called upon. His highlight so far was scoring the decisive penalty against Colombia, giving England their first ever penalty shootout victory at the World Cup finals.

Kieran Trippier – England

Much like his defensive partner Harry Maguire, Kieran Trippier is another player who has surprised many and excelled for the three lions. Called upon in all of England’s big games so far, Trippier has looked the picture of content and his pace and passing has been a real highlight.

Oh, and not to mention he stepped up to take England’s penalty right after Henderson’s miss and buried it home.

Hugo Lloris – France

French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris sees his side instilled as favourites for the World Cup and much like his club performances, has been consistent between the sticks for his national side. Despite conceding three against Argentina, Lloris position in the side is assured with a crunch tie against Belgium up next.

Jan Vertonghen & Toby Alderweireld– Belgium

Tottenham’s defensive duo for the last few years also partner one another in the Belgium national side. So far, they have been assured, confident and look set to take on France for a place at the World Cup final full of belief they can get the job done.

Alderweireld’s future at the club may be in doubt, but if his World Cup performances are anything to go by, Spurs make think again about letting him leave.

Other Spurs players left in the tournament: Danny Rose (England) and Mousa Dembele (Belgium).

After Manchester United’s 1-0 victory against Liverpool in the League Cup on Wednesday night, the Sky Sports commentary team aptly described Wayne Rooney’s summer transfer window escapades as playing “hard to keep” as opposed to “hard to get.” The reigning Premier League champions stood firm during a summer of ludicrous transfer dealings and even more unfathomable outbursts to the press from their main man (cue, “I’m angry and confused”). Any approach from rival clubs, including Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, was promptly swatted away. And the Red Devils, yet again, managed to keep hold of one of their prized assets.

And now it seems their tough no-nonsense approach has done the trick based on the striker’s renewed bill of confidence under new United boss David Moyes so far this season. Rooney, 27, has arguably been United’s top performer as his side venture to fight on both domestic and European fronts with an encouraging start in the Champions League, and a League Cup win against their bitter rivals that could act as a springboard for the Premier League matches.

Rooney could not be blamed for that embarrassing defeat against Manchester City. He was the only United player that afternoon who got around the pitch with purpose… not to mention the stunning free kick he hammered home in the second half to give his side a faint shred of respectability.

What has been evident this year is his uncanny passing ability in the mould of recently retired teammate Paul Scholes. ‘Pinging it about like nobody’s business’ was a turn of phrase a friend of mine coined following yet another convincing performance from Rooney in David Moyes’ maiden appearance in the League Cup with Manchester United Wednesday night. And with the striker also finding the net more regularly too these days, the United faithful will hope he can stay fit and form a lethal partnership with team mate Robin van Persie (who should return to action this weekend against West Brom), something that the fans have yearned for since he joined the club from Arsenal last season.

Editor’s note: Read more articles from Andrew on his blog at www.laligablog.com.