World Cup Stars to watch this season

Raheem Sterling can be a star this season

The World Cup has been and gone but it has made stars out of a few players, Alex Johnson looks at how they might do in the domestic season.

The recent World Cup was scintillating and gave birth to many stars, but who is worth watching in the 2014-15 season?

James Rodriguez - Real Madrid

After a stunning World Cup, Rodriguez was the name on everybody's lips this summer, and the Colombian duly got his big move to Real Madrid from Monaco. The 23-year-old top scored in Brazil with five goals and this secured his move to 'Planet Galactico'.

Rodriguez started his career with Envigado before a move to Argentina and Club Atletico Banfield.

Two years later, Rodriguez moved to Porto in Portugal, where the striker enjoyed success in winning the league three times and also the Europa League under the tutelage of Andre Villas-Boas.

Well-versed in success, Rodriguez has already won his first trophy with Real after they secured the UEFA Super Cup in midweek, and it's unlikely to be his only trophy this season.

Raheem Sterling - Liverpool

One of the bright sparks in England's disappointing World Cup campaign, he arguably was the country's best player in their opening match against Italy.

Sterling had an excellent season with club side Liverpool last year, so much so that he was shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Sterling's ability to move quickly with possession of the ball enabled Liverpool to attack with more fluidity during the 2013-14 campaign, when they narrowly lost out on the title to Manchester City.

The teenager formed a formidable and triumphant trio up front with outgoing striker Luis Suarez and England colleague Daniel Sturridge. With Suarez gone, Rickie Lambert has been added to the squad. He is a totally different type of striker so the question is; how will this affect Sterling?

Romelu Lukaku - Everton

After a fruitful season playing for Everton on loan last year, Lukaku played a peripheral part for the Belgian national team which reached the last eight in Brazil.

The 21-year-old was already left out of Jose Mourinho's plans at Chelsea, so Everton made an offer that the Portuguese boss couldn't refuse. Lukaku felt happy at Goodison Park last season, that was evident with his 15 goals in the Premier League, so could his signing be the key to the Merseyside club finishing in the top four?

Toni Kroos - Real Madrid

The German midfielder secured a move from Bayern Munich to Real Madrid following the World Cup. Kroos helped Germany secure the World title with some dominant displays and was named man of the match in Germany's 7-1 semi-final thrashing of Brazil.

The 24-year-old will probably accompany Luka Modric in a defensive midfield role in the Spanish capital. The German has already sparked controversy in his home country though by saying that his new club are "a cut above Bayern." With both teams battling for the Champions League this season, time will tell regarding the accuracy of that statement.

Stefan de Vrij - Lazio

Named in the World Cup team of the tournament, De Vrij has just secured a move to Serie A with Lazio when it was thought he might move to the Premier League and join former national boss, Louis van Gaal, at Manchester United. The 22-year-old scored in the Dutch team's drubbing of defending champions Spain, a game which set up the tournament as a goal-fest.

The defender had started his career at Feyenoord before securing his move to Rome.

Marcos Rojo - Sporting Lisbon

The Argentinian defender performed superbly well for the World Cup runners-up and was named in the all-star team of the tournament.

The 24-year-old started his career with Estudiantes de la Plata, before securing a move to the Russian Premier League with Spartak Moscow. Rojo's time in the Russian capital was unsuccessful and he moved to Lisbon to play for Sporting. Such were his performances for Argentina, he has been linked with a move to Manchester United.