Who would your World XI football team be?

[plekhanov]

I don't have much of a problem with ManU supporters picking Neville tbh, I think he's very effective playing for a team he's been a part of for so long. I do think that when you see him on the international stage and in Europe to an extent he looks solid but no way superb.

When was the last time any England player was 'superb' 'on the international stage' particularly attacking players? Neville may not have set the world alight when playing for England but he and the rest of the back four are generally solid which is more than can be said for most of those playing further up the field.

 

The argument against Ashley is that he got found out defensively against the better teams in Europe. Since he's tightened up defensively he no longer seems to pose such a threat going forward. It will be interesting to see what he's like this season if injury free.

When do you think he got 'found out'? From what I recall he still seemed pretty good for Arsenal in Europe last season and defensively has for a long time been better able to deal with the likes of Ronaldo than most other defenders.

 

As for Evra, he's only had 29 PL starts and 5 caps; is it not a touch early to be lauding him as the best left back in the world?

He was by all accounts very good in France as well but anyway I'm not 'lauding him as the best left back' he's simply the best I'm really aware of at the minute. He was good this season not imperious like the likes of Ronaldo & Drogba who had amazing seasons and I don't doubt that it's quite possible others out there are at or above his level at the moment.

[Tricky]

When was the last time any England player was 'superb' 'on the international stage' particularly attacking players? Neville may not have set the world alight when playing for England but he and the rest of the back four are generally solid which is more than can be said for most of those playing further up the field.

 

I grant you that England's style isn't geared to making players look great but is this a chicken and egg situation? Is it that the qualities of the players dictate the style of play? Would a great fullback (Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Lizerazu, Maldini etc) impose their game whatever the team tactics?

 

When do you think he got 'found out'? From what I recall he still seemed pretty good for Arsenal in Europe last season and defensively has for a long time been better able to deal with the likes of Ronaldo than most other defenders.

 

No, he's always been quick and athletic so shackling Ronaldo is playing to his strengths. Where he got found out time and again in Europe was the diagonal ball in behind him. Luckily for Cole there aren't many players like Deco or Aimar in the Prem.

[plekhanov]

I grant you that England's style isn't geared to making players look great but is this a chicken and egg situation? Is it that the qualities of the players dictate the style of play? Would a great fullback (Roberto Carlos, Cafu, Lizerazu, Maldini etc) impose their game whatever the team tactics?

Many people seem to consider Beckham, Gerrard & Lampard 'great', yet they've put in anonymous performances for England for years, I find it rather confusing as to why you are focussing on Neville in this regard.

 

No, he's always been quick and athletic so shackling Ronaldo is playing to his strengths. Where he got found out time and again in Europe was the diagonal ball in behind him. Luckily for Cole there aren't many players like Deco or Aimar in the Prem.

Well I guess we'll just have to see how well he does for Chelsea in Europe next season won't we.

[Tricky]

Many people seem to consider Beckham, Gerrard & Lampard 'great', yet they've put in anonymous performances for England for years, I find it rather confusing as to why you are focussing on Neville in this regard.

 

None of the former appeared in half a dozen 'World XIs', (Beckham and Lampard have appeared in none).

[LFCMadPaul]

Many people seem to consider Beckham, Gerrard & Lampard 'great', yet they've put in anonymous performances for England for years, I find it rather confusing as to why you are focussing on Neville in this regard.

If, let's say Gerrard (or Lampard for that matter) were put up for sale and at the same time Man Utd decided to let Neville go and (for arguements sake) they were all put up for £5m pound and offered to the other top 10 teams in the world....... would they sign Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard or Gary Neville??

 

My guess is that 99% would take Gerrard, 1% might take Lampard and i would bet my house Neville would have no takers at all!!

 

He's good Plekh, but not in Stevie's league!!!

[CockneyMafia]

It's not just me Plekh, many many players and managers think Gerrard is amongst the worlds best, as i've shown. You don't and that's fine but your opinion compared to the people i've quoted means nothing.

As for Benitez, i don't idolise him but i do think he is doing a good job and has a record that is not even debatable. Real Madrid think he is a great manager also, hence why they have tried to poach him on several occasions.

 

Gerrard on form is world class. As I have posted before though, he is far too inconsistent. Moreover, the media kiss his arse. Even in games where he evaporates on the pitch, he is tagged as man of the match. He is often upstaged by Alonso and Sissoko (underrated) but seems to get away with it.

 

I would also argue that he has been very poor for England, whereas other 'world class' players such as Deco, Figo, Zidane, Riquelme, Ronaldo etc seem to perform consistently for club and country. Going back further, the likes of dragan stojakovic and lothar matthaus were what you would consider truly world class midfielders.

[LFCMadPaul]

Gerrard on form is world class. As I have posted before though, he is far too inconsistent. Moreover, the media kiss his arse. Even in games where he evaporates on the pitch, he is tagged as man of the match. He is often upstaged by Alonso and Sissoko (underrated) but seems to get away with it.

 

I would also argue that he has been very poor for England, whereas other 'world class' players such as Deco, Figo, Zidane, Riquelme, Ronaldo etc seem to perform consistently for club and country. Going back further, the likes of dragan stojakovic and lothar matthaus were what you would consider truly world class midfielders.

I'm sorry Mike but i can't agree with that. Gerrard for me is one of our most consistant performers in my eyes (especially for Liverpool). It seems he can't win. There is so many claiming that Gerrard carries Liverpool and that they are a one man team, then you have another section claiming he is poor and overated! I know one thing, i wouldn't swap him for any other midfielder in the world!

[scottishdude]

This thread is turning into a "Save and Justify" Gerrard for a World 11 benefit concert.

Here are a few names to conjure with to help you make a decision if,

1 Gerrard should be included in a World 11

2 How far Up/Down the pecking order he would be if included.

 

I have made 2 lists which put the players in their natural position, albeit they can be versatile.

 

Attacking Midfielders.

 

Ronaldinho

Deco

Kaka

Van Der Vart

Riquelme

Totti

Messi

Kallstrom

Ribery

Aimar

 

Defensive Midfielders

 

Juninho

Lampard

Pirlo

Xabi Alonso

Gerrard

Ballack

Viera

Essien

Gattuso

Fabregas

 

Let the judging commence.

[brandonc93]

Goalkeeper: Petr Cech

Right Back:Philip Lahm

Left Back:Patrice Evra

Centre Back:Rio Ferdinand and Nemaja Vidic

Right Midfielder:Cristiano Ronaldo

Left Midfielder:Lionel Messi

Centre Midfielder:Mikel Ballack and Steven Gerrard

Strikers:Carlos Tevez and Fernando Torres

 

Subs:

Van Der Sar

Terry

Anderson

Nani

Benzema

[ricco]

GK Buffon

LB Lahm

RB Daniel Alves

CB Vidic

CB Nesta

AM Kaka

AM Cristiano Ronaldo

CM Fabrigas

CM Ballack ©

LF Messi

RF Torres

 

Subs

GK Casillas

D Cannavaro

M Arshavin

F Villa

 

Manager

Sir Alex Ferguson

 

but the best ever would be

 

GK Schmeichel

D Cafu

D Maldini

D Beckenabuer ©

D Carlos

M Maradona

M Cruyff

M Zidane

M Figo

F Pele

F Ronaldo