Check out my first eleven players of the year, if any suggestions on who should or should not be here, drop your suggestions on the comment page and lets discuss it.
GOALKEEPER: IKER CASILLAS
Over the years, this young man has come to be regarded as ‘The Saint’ at the behemoth called El Santiago Bernabeu has been in fantastic form. It is no longer a secret that he has been the major reason Los Merengues have been competitive over the years. He’s got sharp reflexes and is arguably the best short stopper on the planet. The plethora of titles, awards and recognition this year is a testimony to the ability of this man. You remember when Spain was in a penalty shootout with Italy in the quarter finals of the Euro 2008? Besides being a fantastic goalkeeper, he is definitely one of the best players we have
RIGHT BACK: JOSE BOSINGWA
Jose Bosingwa has been one of the best transfers of the year. He has been in great form for Chelsea this season and a major boost to them. He has a very good control of the ball, he has a very good dribbling ability and he’s also a good crosser of the ball. He is known for going forward to help the attack and also come back when under pressure. He unusually keyed into Chelsea’s team and has become irreplaceable. lets watch out for him next year.
LEFT BACK: PATRICE EVRA
This is one position that was not difficult to fill. Very few players played at the level expected them and this made this stand out performance clearly made him my choice. He practically did what was expected of him. He may not be good in the air but he’s got his two feet planted solidly on the ground. He joins the attack and supports the defense altogether, very few can contend with him.
CENTRE BACK: NEMANJA VIDIC
Doggedness, strength, areal ability and a no nonsense approach describes the Serbian defender. He has a very good ball anticipation and even though his tackles are hard, they are however most times clean. Whether for club or country, his performance has been impressive and he’s a good partner for Rio
CENTRE BACK: CARLES PUYOL
He was a right back defender before he was converted to a central defender and he has been up to the task. Even though he had a poor season at Fc Barcelona, the blame is on the whole team. He was however able to show his efforts at the Euro 2008. He is strong in the tackle and good aerially, and he has ability to contribute to the attack. He is a committed and strong defender.
MIDFIELD: MARCOS SIENNA
Though his passport says he’s Spanish but sienna is a Brazilian by birth. He has the flair of a Brazilian and the doggedness of a European. He is known for his passing range and long shooting ability and he’s also a penalty specialist. On 27th April 2008, Senna scored an impossible goal from the centre circle against Real Betis in La Liga. That he deemed ‘the best goal of my life’ he really proved his worth at the Euro 2008. He was the perfect foil for the Spanish defense. Strong in the tackle and ability to pass well especially when bringing the ball out of defense.
MIDFIELD: XAVI
Xavi is a player that can play both as a defensive and a creative midfielder, he is however superlative in the creative part. He posed an innovative performance at the euro 2008 that got mouth gasping. He was the fulcrum between the defense and the forward line regularly supplying the strikers with vital passes and crucial assists. He scored the opening goal in the 50th minute in the semi-final against Russia. In the final, he slipped a well-timed pass to Fernando Torres who slotted in the winning goal against Germany. He was however selected as the player of the tournament. So he must be here.
RIGHT WING: CHRISTIANO RONALDO
The lists of awards won probably tells Christiano Ronaldo’s story more vividly. He can play well as a winger or as a supporting striker. His qualities are superlative and that makes it impossible for him to be left out. He uses both feet well, his aerial power is outstanding, speed and dribbling ability is a turn on and he is dangerous at set pieces. He personally contributed to the Manchester United double. Though he had a disappointing Euro 2008 but he is a rare talent which started a cold transfer war between Real Madrid and Manchester United. I am tipping him for the world footballer award.
LEFT WING: ANDREI ARSHAVIN
Arshavin is a versatile second striker who can play as an attacking midfielder and winger. He is best known for his close control, vision, playmaking ability and speed. His performance for Zenith St Petersburg and Russia at the Euro 2008 has thrown him into public glare with his name on the list of footballers on the round table.
STRIKER: FERNANDO TORRES
Torres, born in Madrid became interested in football as a child and joined the first team, Parque 84, at the age of five. He came to the English Premiership with no high hopes but he turned the camera on him and had 24 league goals to his credit (Liverpool’s top scorer) Torres is quick and can beat even goalkeepers (ask Oliver Khan) though he’s selfish sometimes but it can be argued that the greatest strikers in the world has a tinge of selfishness in them.
STRIKER: LIONEL MESSI
It is very rare to possess quick feet and still have close control of the ball. Well that’s one of Messi’s greatest asset. He has the ability to frustrate defenders and leave them in his trail, he also score goals. Great players like Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, Frank Rijkaard, Victor Fernandez, Bernd Schuster, Guti, Raul, Gianluca, Zambrotta, Francesco Totti, Antonio Cassano, Diego Maradona and pele have one time or the other declared that they consider Messi to be the best footballer in the world. What else can I say the Legends have spoken.
RESERVES
Van Der Saar, Maicon, Terry
Lampard, Fabregas
Ibrahimovic, Ruud Van Nisterroy
