On current form, in European football terms (although I'm only really drawing from three leagues)...
Casillas
Dani Alves Ferdinand Ramos Evra
Fabregas Iniesta
Messi Kaka Ronaldo
Fabregas Iniesta
Messi Kaka Ronaldo
Zlatan
Excuse the Man United tinted vision here, but we aren't half bad at the moment! Dream elevens are by definition highly subjective (especially judged over just three months of the season), but the trio playing off the striker - and Fabregas behind them - sort of pick themselves as their presence on the pitch virtually guarantee their sides goals. I wonder what it says about the modern game that most people's picks for the three best players in the world over the last year or so are all second strikers. I guess not that much as other attacking midfielders like Ronaldinho, Zidane, Figo and Rivaldo have been lauded by fans and peers as the world's best in recent years.
My inclusion of Zlatan over say Drogba, Van Nistelrooy or Rooney ultimately comes down to style (perhaps over substance) and Iniesta I feel is Barca's most improved player over the last year, even more so than Messi. I like intelligent, passing, attack-minded central midfielders and must say with the likes of Fabregas, Xavi and Arteta, Spain have been blessed with an abundance of such players. In Sergio Ramos they also have a player with the potential to become the world's best defender. Of his generation, only Manchester City's Micah Richards shows a similar combination of strength, pace, aggression and intelligence at the back.
I have picked the full-backs for their attacking as much as defensive attributes (otherwise, we may as well play four centre-halves) and few provide as much attacking impetus as these two; as good as having an extra midfield player when in possession. While he most likely won't be seeing too many clean sheets playing for Real Madrid, Iker Casillas is pretty much the game's best shot stopper and rarely guilty of errors. I feel he deserves his berth as his penchant for flamboyant saves makes him one of the game's great entertainers. Ferdinand's technical ability, strong reading of the game and calm, assured manner (along with 11 clean sheets this season) secure his place.
Honourable mentions must go to the injured Totti and Rooney, Real Madrid's Guti and especially Robinho, Man City's Elano and Micah Richards, Ricardo Carvalho, Adrian Mutu, Seedorf, Perrotta and Franck Ribery...all having made a strong start to '07/'08.
My inclusion of Zlatan over say Drogba, Van Nistelrooy or Rooney ultimately comes down to style (perhaps over substance) and Iniesta I feel is Barca's most improved player over the last year, even more so than Messi. I like intelligent, passing, attack-minded central midfielders and must say with the likes of Fabregas, Xavi and Arteta, Spain have been blessed with an abundance of such players. In Sergio Ramos they also have a player with the potential to become the world's best defender. Of his generation, only Manchester City's Micah Richards shows a similar combination of strength, pace, aggression and intelligence at the back.
I have picked the full-backs for their attacking as much as defensive attributes (otherwise, we may as well play four centre-halves) and few provide as much attacking impetus as these two; as good as having an extra midfield player when in possession. While he most likely won't be seeing too many clean sheets playing for Real Madrid, Iker Casillas is pretty much the game's best shot stopper and rarely guilty of errors. I feel he deserves his berth as his penchant for flamboyant saves makes him one of the game's great entertainers. Ferdinand's technical ability, strong reading of the game and calm, assured manner (along with 11 clean sheets this season) secure his place.
Honourable mentions must go to the injured Totti and Rooney, Real Madrid's Guti and especially Robinho, Man City's Elano and Micah Richards, Ricardo Carvalho, Adrian Mutu, Seedorf, Perrotta and Franck Ribery...all having made a strong start to '07/'08.
0 Comments:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
