World Class Players And Gameweek 31 I Know The Score
One of the words that is thrown about far too much in soccer is “world class.” I think it is almost hard to find a player who has not been described as world class. Announcers use this term almost every time a player scores a goal. This was true last weekend when Andrei Arshavin had given Arsenal the lead against Hull. After the goal, he proceeded to miss some easier chances skying a couple of his shots into the stands that made the previous comment comical.
Often the praise is heaped on an attacker improperly. In the Arshavin example, he is a great attacking player, but if you asked me to form a team and pick the attacker I would want, Arshavin wouldn’t be making the squad. However, this thought gave me inspiration as to how I wanted to define my world class players.
I imagined that there are two captains that are picking teams with every player in the world that can be selected. The 36 players that are I select would be my “world class” players. This system makes sure that the players that are selected cover every position not just the glamorous attacking ones. Obviously, the players I selected are pure opinion, but for me it stops people from calling almost any player who scores a goal “world class.”
So I tried this out, trying to be as objective as I could, and came up with these players as my “World Class” players. As a note, I did assume players were healthy and in form when making these decisions.
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid), Pepe Reina (Spain, Liverpool), Edwin Van der Sar (Netherlands, Manchester United)
Van der Sar may seem to be a surprise but he is a great defensive organizer so I put him on the list. Brad Friedel and Reina for me was a big debate for the last goalie spot.
Defenders: Maicon (Brazil, Internazionale), Nemanja Vidic (Serbia, Manchester United), Rio Ferdinand (England, Manchester United), Ashley Cole (England, Chelsea), Dani Alves (Brazil, Barcelona), Lucio (Brazil, Internazionale), Carlos Puyol (Spain, Barcelona), Patrice Evra (France, Manchester United), Sergio Ramos (Spain, Real Madrid), Giorgio Chiellini (Italy, Juventus), Philipp Lahm (Germany, Bayern Munich), Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal, Chelsea)
The biggest omission might be John Terry, but I always thought Ricardo Carvalho was the better defender of the pair at Chelsea. Rio Ferdinand isn’t everyone’s favorite, but for me when he’s healthy, he is the most talented center back in the world.
Midfielders: Michael Essien (Ghana, Chelsea), Xavi (Spain, Barcelona), Andres Iniesta (Spain, Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Spain, Arsenal), Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool), Franck Ribery (France, Bayern Munich), Javier Mascherano (Argentina, Liverpool), Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea), Arjen Robben (Netherlands, Bayern Munich), Wesley Sneijder (Netherlands, Internazionale), Kaka (Brazil, Real Madrid)
I’m not sure there is much to debate here. All of these players are good although it could be argued that their should be more defensive midfielders as I only include two in Essien and Mascherano.
Forwards: Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona), Wayne Rooney (England, Manchester United), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal, Real Madrid), Fernando Torres (Spain, Liverpool), David Villa (Spain, Valencia), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea), Antonio Di Natale (Italy, Udinese), Diego Forlan (Uruguay, Atletico Madrid), Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon, Internazionale)
The big omissions here are probably Ibrahimovic and Higuain especially with the inclusion of Di Natale, Forlan, and Eto’o. Di Natale is an underrated player and if he were to have joined a bigger club would be considered among one of the better players in Europe. Ibrahimovic disappears in big games, so I went with Eto’o who has scored in two Champions League finals. Higuain is on a tear this year, but Forlan is so clinical that I trust him more.
Hopefully, I didn’t make any glaring mistakes, but these are the best of the best for me. Let me know who your world class players are. Now onto my predictions for the weekend.
Gameweek 31 Picks:
Aston Villa 2, Wolverhampton 0
This Birmingham derbies are often overlooked. However, I will be getting up somewhat early (the one nice thing about Daylight Savings time) to catch this game. Aston Villa are pushing for fourth place while Wolverhampton are struggling to survive. It won’t matter as this game should be close and tightly contested, but Aston Vila at home get the win.
Everton 2, Bolton 0
How will Everton fare without Donovan? I think they will be fine against Bolton, but they will look to play better after blowing a two goal lead against Birmingham last weekend.
Hull City 1, Portsmouth 0
New manager Iain Dowie is in at Hull City and that is usually worth a good performance. Portsmouth were terrible on Monday and I expect their poor run to continue with the 9 point deduction having been confirmed.
Stoke City 1, Tottenham 1
Tottenham are the stronger squad, but they have struggled against the more physical sides like Stoke City. I see them having similar problems again but a tie at the Britannia is still a decent result.
Sunderland 1, Birmingham 1
Sunderland are suddenly back. Birmingham haven’t been as strong defensively and I think this will be a good match. Sunderland need this game more, but I think Birmingham gets a point away from home.
Wigan 2, Burnley 0
Wigan aren’t good, but Burnley are worse.
Arsenal 1, West Ham 1 (Insurance)
West Ham are a bogey team for Arsenal. They got a 2-2 draw against them earlier this season and I think they get a result again. Carlton Cole’s physical style will be difficult to deal with for Arsenal with Gallas still out.
Manchester United 2, Liverpool 1
I’ll have a separate post on this later.
Fulham 2, Manchester City 1
Fulham will be flying after defeating Juventus and I think they keep the momentum going against Manchester City.
Chelsea 2, Blackburn 0 (Banker)
Chelsea lost in midweek, and I expect a response. 2-0 is probably a bit cautious, but Chelsea should have a comfortable win.
West Ham 1, Wolverhampton 0
This is a big relegation battle. West Ham have more talent and really should be working their way away from the relegation zone and I think they get it done against Wolverhampton.
Aston Villa 2, Sunderland 1
I think Villa will get a bit of a run going, but Sunderland through Darren Bent have the pace to score on Aston Villa. Villa have better attackers especially and midfield and I think that will be the difference.
Manchester City 1, Everton 1
Everton outworked Manchester City when they met earlier this season and I think they will be outwork City again. However, at Eastlands, Manchester City won’t be beaten.
Chelsea 3, Portsmouth 0
Chelsea may be playing bad but Portsmouth are bottom of the table for a reason and I think they will show it against Chelsea.
Blackburn 1, Birmingham 1
Two teams that don’t play football that is pretty to watch. With neither squad putting on the style, this feels like a stalemate I don’t want to watch.
Last Week: 8-3 (IKTS: +70)
Season: 124-102 (IKTS: 1655)
Note: Record is only calculated since Gameweek 8
