By Ameenu Shardow
Follow on Twitter @alooameenu
FIFA has named Ghana defender John Boye among the 10 best players so far at the 2014 World Cup thanks to his excellent showing in the Black Stars match against the USA.
The France-based centre-back placed 8th in a statistical ranking done by the world governing body after the first round of group games of the ongoing tournament in Brazil.
This is a massive boost for the reputation of the career of the player who will now be classified as world class because of the rating by FIFA.
FIFA used information gathered from the renowned football engine Opta to conduct its rankings which sees German forward Thomas Muller on top of the pile with a 9.75 rating.
Boye lasted the entire duration in Ghanaââ¬â¢s shocking 2-1 defeat to the USA in their opening Group G game last Monday in Natal.
The 27-year-old however appeared amongst the best statistical performers after the first round of matches at the World Cup even though some Ghanaians have accused him of being over-confident in Black Stars defence in the defeat to the United States.
Boye ended up with a 9.45 rating having won five of his seven tackles, eight recoveries, eight clearances and a block in the defeat to the USA.
He is also said to have completed 91 percent of his 44 passes in the game against the USA.
The Black Stars defenderââ¬â¢s statistics bettered that of Chileââ¬â¢s Alexis Sanchez and Tim Cahill of Australia.
He is however behind the likes of Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie and Phil Jagielka.
Boye is a free agent and this statistic could help him land a bumper move in Europe after refusing to extend his expiring contract with Rennes.
Below is the full list of FIFAââ¬â¢s best players atà the 2014 World Cupà thus far.
Position | Name | Ratings | Country |
1st | Thomas Muller | 9.75 | Germany |
2nd | Mehrdad Pooladi | 9.7 | Iran |
3rd | Geoff Cameron | 9.64 | U.S.A |
4th | David Luiz | 9.6 | Brazil |
5th | Phil Jagielka | 9.56 | England |
6th | Robin van Persie | 9.52 | Netherlands |
7th | Arjen Robben | 9.48 | Netherlands |
8th | John Boye | 9.45 | Ghana |
9th | Alexis Sanchez | 9.42 | Chile |
10th | Tim Cahill | 9.39 | Australia |