Best XI
I think this article might start a little debate between everyone that reads this blog and that can be the fun part.
In honor of the Four Four Two Magazine, I am going to make a quick list of my best, current, XI players by position in the world. Basically my dream team. And I do mean by position – four center backs are not allowed, etc. So, without further ado:
GK Petr Cech – Chelsea/Czech
RB Sergio Ramos – Real Madrid/Spain
CB Carles Puyol – Barcelona/Spain
CB Nemanja Vidic – Manchester United/Serbia
LB Philipp Lahm – Bayern Munchen/Germany
RM Steven Gerrard – Liverpool/England
CM Ricardo Kaka – AC Milan/Brazil
CM Francesc Fabregas – Arsenal/Spain
LM Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester United/Portugal
ST Lionel Messi – Barcelona/Argentina
ST Fernando Torres – Liverpool/Spain
What a team! Do you agree? I better put my defense up now – I know I am going to get drilled with my selections. First things first, I don’t know if there could ever be a unanimous best XI.
Cech over Iker Casillas and Gianluigi Buffon was tough when they are clearly the best three in the world. I do prefer youth when building a team so that threw Buffon out. Casillas or Cech was a close call, but a keeper wearing a helmet is intimidating!
The one big time defender that was left off the list is Chelsea’s John Terry. I want a player that can play 90 minutes and odds are that Terry wouldn’t even be able to start the game – he would break his foot walking into the locker room. I think Lahm might be questioned, but I like how he can get forward. He scored the first goal of the 2006 World Cup, a missile hit from outside the area, that was definitely one of the best goals of the tournament.
In the midfield, can you go wrong with any of these four? Ronaldo plays on the left at times so he qualified for me there. He just roams around and scores goals. Kaka is a no brainer. Fabregas was known as one of the better players in the world going into the season, but he has been so good this year he might be the most improved player in the world this year. And he’s 20. Being a Man U fan – I’m not an Arsenal fan and that’s being nice – I admit he is sick. Gerrard was tough, but you have to have him on the list for free kicks alone. This team would get plenty of free kicks around the box and Stevie G is the second best in the world on dead balls. David Beckham is still the best and I almost put him on the wing, but I am going to get drilled as it is. One man can only take so much.
For my forwards, with Messi, I don’t think there will be any complaints. Torres, however, will surely have some calling me an idiot. Here is my reasoning. The pace that this kid shows is amazing and he has proven this year that when he has talent around him he can be great.
So there’s my team. What do you think? Let the questioning begin.
On February 20th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Good list, but I have a couple of my own picks.
As much as I like Sergio Ramos, the best right back in the world is Sevilla’s Daniel Alves. I would also sub out Puyol with John Terry, despite the injury problems because when he is healthy there might not be a better center back.
Also, at left back I like Lahm in a crowded field including Inter’s Christian Chivu or Barcelona’s Eric Abidal.
There isn’t too much to complain about in the midfield, except right mid is not Stevie G’s normal position even though he occasionally moonlights out there.
Up top, love Messi and Torres, but would replace Torres with Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter.
On February 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I do think that is a good starting eleven. However, I believe, realistically, that the best team is this.
GK - Petr Cech
LB - Philip Lahm
CB - Fabio Cannavaro
CB - Nemanja Vidic
RB - Sergio Ramos
DM - Javier Mascherano
CM - Steven Gerrard
AM - Ricardo Kaka
W/F - Cristiano Ronaldo
W/F - Lionel Messi
CF - Fernando Torres
Close to being selected were Alessandro Nesta, Zambrotta, Sneijder, Gattuso, Daniel Alves, Robinho, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Wayne Rooney.
On February 29th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
What about Fabregas. I know he doesn’t grab headlines, but he has led a young Arsenal team that has been without it’s two goalscorers from just a year ago. Without the help of Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie. Arsenal currently sits in first with a league best 56 goals scored. This is just 7 short of last years total in which Arsenal finished just fourth in the EPL. Without Fabregas Arsenal seem lost. With Fabregas, Arsenal play a beautiful style that provides results.