Dream Teams
Approaching 100 players based in Britain could be lacing up their boots in Germany this summer. Here we pick a possible Premiership All-Stars XI drawn from the overseas talent plying their trade in this country to take on the Rest of the World. We also select our World Cup Legends XI. Could those in Germany beat this dream team?
PREMIERSHIP ALL-STARS
Manager: Arsene Wenger (Arsenal, France)
1 Petr Cech (Chelsea, Czech Republic) The towering Chelsea goalkeeper has emerged from relative
obscurity at French club Rennes to distinguish
himself as the best keeper in the Premiership, if not the world.
2 Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea, Portugal) Chelsea paid a British record fee for a full back and it’s not hard to see why - consistent, solid and dangerous going forward.
3 Gabriel Heinze (Manchester United, Argentina) Committed, tough-tackling left-sided defender. When playing for PSG, French football fans voted him the toughest defender in France.
4 Michael Essien (Chelsea, Ghana) The most
expensive African player in the world. Dubbed ‘The Bison’, Essien is a powerhouse of a player, blessed with immense talent, who eats up the turf without breaking a sweat.
5 Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea, Portugal) A proven winner, dominate with both feet and head. His
anticipation and interception skills are as good as
it gets.
6 William Gallas (Chelsea, France) Versatile defender who can play right across the back four. Technically gifted and armed with searing pace, there are few better one-on-one defenders.
7 Ronaldo (Manchester United, Portugal)
When he first arrived at United the young Portuguese man-of-war was labeled a one-trick pony, with his tendency to over indulgence. But under the guidance of Sir Alex Ferguson, Ronaldo’s dazzling skills and pace are now administering capital punishment.
8 Xabi Alonso (Liverpool, Spain) Highly-rated playmaker who has established himself as one of the Premiership’s finest midfielders. Exceptional range of passing, vision, comfortable on the ball and can score goals.
9 Ruud van Nistelrooy (Manchester United, Holland) A natural-born killer. His peerless finishing ability has helped him achieve a frightening
goalscoring record.
10 Thierry Henry (c) (Arsenal, France)
One of the best players in the world. Explosive pace, breathtaking skill, deadly from just about anywhere on the pitch fused with selfless team play. The jewel in the crown.
11 Arjen Robben (Chelsea, Holland)
Predominately left footed, but capable of playing
on either flank or as a supporting striker. Robben’s talent is frightening. The ball sticks to his feet like Velcro, even when he is at full speed. Has an eye for goal and can deliver a telling cross.
SUBS: 12 Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United, Holland); 13 Kolo Toure (Arsenal, Ivory Coast); 14 Claude Makelele (Chelsea, France); 15 Fredrik Ljungberg (Arsenal, Sweden); 16 Hernan Crespo (Chelsea, Argentina).
REST OF THE WORLD
Manager: Marcello Lippi (Italy)
1 Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus, Italy) Blessed with a natural sense of position and feline agility. In July 2001 Juventus paid Parma a world record £36
million for his services. Widely regarded as the finest keeper on the planet.
2 Lillian Thuram (Juventus, France) The epitome of the modern defender. Quick, strong, athletic, comfortable on the ball and almost impossible
to beat.
3 Roberto Carlos (Real Madrid, Brazil) His explosive left foot will go down in football
history. Competent defender who is capable of something magic going forward.
4 Patrick Vieira (Juventus, France) The former Arsenal player is a formidable
driving force from the engine room.
As a fierce competitor and
technically gifted footballer, he has a commanding presence all over the field.
5 Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus, Italy) Don’t let his size deceive you. Cannavaro’s pace coupled with his man-marking skills can extinguish the most deadly of threats.
6 Alessandro Nesta (c) (AC Milan, Italy) Regarded as one of the best defenders in the world. Blends force with finesse – a rock at the back with
exceptional passing skills.
7 Joaquin (Real Betis, Spain) The Spaniard
possesses all right ingredients for a wide player - mesmerising ball skills combined with the ability to deliver a pinpoint cross.
8 Michael Ballack (Bayern Munich, Germany) One of the most complete midfield players in the world. The man for the big occasion has a superb ability to run with the ball and score vital goals.
9 Andriy Shevchenko (AC Milan, Ukraine) The
former European Footballer of the Year is one of the world’s top strikers. Simply awesome for AC Milan in Serie A and the Champions League.
10 Ronaldinho (Barcelona, Brazil) No World XI could be picked without the outrageous ball skills of the brilliant Brazilian, the current European and FIFA World Player of the Year.
11 Pavel Nedved (Juventus, Czech Republic)
Consistently brilliant. It’s hard to fault the Czech’s game. Capable of producing quality with either foot and equipped with an awesome shot.
SUBS: 12 Iker Casillas (Real Madrid, Spain); 13 Javier Zanetti (Inter Milan, Argentina); 14 Kaka (AC Milan, Brazil); 15 Juan Roman Riquelme (Villarreal, Argentina); 16 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Juventus, Sweden).
WORLD CUP LEGENDS
Manager: Mario Zagallo (Brazil)
1 Lev Yashin (USSR) Arguably the greatest goalkeeper ever, the Black Panther played in three World Cups for the old Soviet Union.
2 Carlos Alberto (Brazil) Captain of Brazil’s World Cup-winning team back in 1970.
3 Paolo Maldini (Italy) Peerless left-sided AC Milan defender. Played in four World Cups for the Azzurri.
4 Franz Beckenbauer (West Germany) Legendary German defender and captain. ‘Der Kaiser’ won the World Cup as both player and manager.
5 Bobby Moore (England) The classy West Ham defender captained England to their only success in 1966.
6 Lothar Matthaus (West Germany) The versatile midfielder-cum-sweeper played in five World Cups and captained the 1990 winners.
7 Bobby Charlton (England) England’s record goalscorer and World Cup winner in 1966.
8 Michel Platini (France) A midfield maestro. France’s greatest footballer of all time.
9 Pele (Brazil) A World Cup legend. Only player to have won the trophy three times.
10 Diego Maradona (c) (Argentina) Another
all-time great and won the World Cup almost
single-handedly in 1986.
11 Johan Cruyff (Netherlands) A sublime
talent. The chief architect of Holland’s
Total Football of the 1970s.
SUBS: 12 Gordon Banks (England);
13 Cafu (Brazil);
14 Garrincha (Brazil);
15 Zinedine Zidane (France);
16 Gerd Muller (West
Germany).
Think you could do better?