Post by Kieran on Jun 15, 2013 23:41:05 GMT
Hello, welcome to the 00s World Football Draft Game. Basically, 16 players have spent the last few weeks picking players to make a team (you can see how they did it in this thread pldraftgame.freeforums.net/thread/26/world-football-draft-game-round ) and they are now ready to go head-to-head against each other to win your vote - which do you think is the better team? The voter has both the squad-sheet and the bios/tactics to consider!
The key rule for this edition of the game is that players are to be judged on the basis of their performances in the 2000s - so what they did pre 2000 is not directly relevant here.
Additionally, voters are requested to please justify the votes you cast: an explanation of why you voted for the team you did would be much appreciated and would add to the game as a whole. If you vote but don't justify your selection, then that vote may be discarded when totting up the final results. Please vote and adhere to the rules on each match thread.
LjayHam- Formation/bio/tactics
The Team
1. Iker Casillas - GK
2. Dani Alves - RB
3. Pablo Zabaleta – LB
4. David Luiz – CB/SW
5. Bruno Alves – CB
6. Arturo Vidal – DMC
7. David Beckham – RW
8. Juan Mata – AMC
9. Roy Makaay – ST/TM
10. Dennis Bergkamp – IF/SS
11. Gareth Bale – LW
12. Neven Subotic – (Sub) CB
THE TACTICS
The team employs a balanced philosophy, with a standard strategy. The passing is short as I’d like to keep possession. However, as much as the passing is short, the team has a reasonable pace to it, utilizing the flanks. We close down more often and practice a zonal marking mode.
The pressing style works well with having a reasonably high defensive line, which allows us to dominate against other teams. There is always the need to defend deep, as it makes it more difficult to be caught out by a quick ball over the top. That does however bring with it a different problem, in that it allows the opposition to press you back, and create chances from in and around the edge of the area. This puts the defence under a lot of pressure, which leads to a lot of wild clearances, bringing about the tendency to invite the opposition to press even harder. If we hold out, we could get the ball down the wings, and the talent we have can produce something out of nothing.
With Vidal at the tip of the diamond, Beckham at the right, Bale at the left and Mata at the other tip, I think we are fairly strong down both wings, as well as through the centre. We will put more through-balls down the middle for the strikers or even wingers to run onto.
Both full backs are set to moderately attack, so they push high up the pitch at times, which makes the role of the defensive midfielder very important, as he will sometimes need to provide cover. However, they will not push too high to compromise the defence.
Overall, we have players with good flair and creativity, the creative freedom is moderate, with the standard strategy I think this gives us balance.
The team employs a balanced philosophy, with a standard strategy. The passing is short as I’d like to keep possession. However, as much as the passing is short, the team has a reasonable pace to it, utilizing the flanks. We close down more often and practice a zonal marking mode.
The pressing style works well with having a reasonably high defensive line, which allows us to dominate against other teams. There is always the need to defend deep, as it makes it more difficult to be caught out by a quick ball over the top. That does however bring with it a different problem, in that it allows the opposition to press you back, and create chances from in and around the edge of the area. This puts the defence under a lot of pressure, which leads to a lot of wild clearances, bringing about the tendency to invite the opposition to press even harder. If we hold out, we could get the ball down the wings, and the talent we have can produce something out of nothing.
With Vidal at the tip of the diamond, Beckham at the right, Bale at the left and Mata at the other tip, I think we are fairly strong down both wings, as well as through the centre. We will put more through-balls down the middle for the strikers or even wingers to run onto.
Both full backs are set to moderately attack, so they push high up the pitch at times, which makes the role of the defensive midfielder very important, as he will sometimes need to provide cover. However, they will not push too high to compromise the defence.
Overall, we have players with good flair and creativity, the creative freedom is moderate, with the standard strategy I think this gives us balance.
Bonz1- Formation/bio/tactics
Fabien Barthez –
A renown eccentric goalkeeper, that whilst in his prime was one of the best keepers in the World with a combination of ball skills and superb reflex he was a real fans favorite and built a reputation for saving penalties.
Whilst the French keeper had a superb 90's which included the World Cup amongst other titles, but the 2000's were equally impressive as he was pivotal as Monaco lifted their last Lique 1 title in 99/00 and he went on that year to lift the UEFA Euro Championships with France and was voted the European best Goalkeeper for the second time.
His performance earned him a lucrative contract at Man Utd to fill the huge void of Peter Schmeichal and lifted the EPL in his first season with the Club only conceding 31 goals, whilst Barthez also made critical saves as Utd were crowned Champions in 2002/3 which ended the 3 season spell under SAF after he helped France to a Confederation Cup victory as he returned to an average Marseille side.
He concluded his International career by equal the record amount of WC clean sheets in the 2006 World Cup despite France ending as runners up.
Years to assess - 2000-06
Stat - Barthez saved a Beckham pen in Euro 2004 after retiring he took up Motorsport!
Personal Awards from 2000:
IFFHS Worlds Best Keeper - 2000
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament - 2000
EPL Team of the Year - 2001
Marcelo –
The Brazilian & Real Madrid flying full back who prior to injury this season has been held in THE highest regard as Paolo Maldini stated Marcelo, "who is a great attacker and a defender, a specialist of both areas."
Roberto Carlos named Marcelo as the worlds best left back, saying. “He had more ability than me with the ball and he joins in better,” and even called him his heir! Diego Maradona said he was the third best player in La Liga, after Ronaldo and Messi. When fit this is guy is a superstar.
Showing his attacking flair and defensive skills he has recorded 23 goals & 31 assists during his Club career of 258 appearances, with a further 4 international goals as he has the speed fitness and skills to be effective high up the field in addition to his excellent defensive work that has helped Real to 3 titles in 6 full seasons. Due to his dribbling skills, Pellegrini had used him as a winger & in 2009/10 was top of assists charts in La Liga! A player that can perform in several positions at the top level.
Stat - Marcelo scored on his Brazil debut against Wales at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane
Years to assess - 2006-13
Awards from 2006:
2006 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year
UEFA Team of the Year: 2011
FIFA/FIFPro World XI: 2012
La Liga (3): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12
Copa del Rey (1): 2010–11
Supercopa de España (2): 2008, 2012
Lukasz Piszczek
The Polish full back has been rated as one of the best Right Backs in the World by many polls over the last years with solid defensive performances for Dortmund & Poland. Whilst a solid defender that demonstrated his qualities by keeping Ronaldo quiet for large parts of the two legged S/F but equally the full back has the ability to get forward score goals and create goals - last season alone scoring 4 but assisting 12 goals!
The young Polish striker (yes striker) scored 11 goals, to help Zaglebie surprisingly lift the 2007 Polish title and after returning to Hertha Berlin came back from injury to play as right back in 2009/10 but still retains the ability to score and create.
Stat: the PZPN imposed a six-month suspension on Piszczek for participation in the fixing of a 2006 Cracovia match in which he did not play. In September 2011, the suspension was cancelled.
Years to assess - 2006-13
Awards:
Polish Title 2006/7
Bundesliga 2010/11 & 2011/12
German Cup 2011/12
UEFA U19 Championship - Top Scorer 2004
Vincent Kompany - The current Manchester City & Belgium Captain who can play in central midfield but is more known for his performances at Centre Back and was named in the team of the year in both 2011 & 2012 along with being named the EPL player of the season in 2012 after guiding City to the Premier League title, whilst listed at 23rd best player in the World!
Hamburg had paid $10m from Anderlecht in 2006 yet Mark Hughes brought him to City for just £6m and has been a rock in the 5 seasons at the Club and his absence through injury leaves a huge void in the heart of defence due to hispace, reading of the game & organisation.
He has superb stats to support his tackling and more so his distribution (90% in 2012/3) and helped City to achieve the best defensive record in the league in each of the last 2 years, with just 29 goals conceded in 38 games as they won the title.
A real threat at set plays with his ariel power despite only 7 goals in 151 league games for city. A player that can perform in several positions at the top level.
Stat: On March 2013, Kompany bought the struggling Belgian third division club FC Bleid.
Years to assess - 2003-13
Awards
Belgian First Division: 2003–04, 2005–06
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2007
Premier League: 2011–12
FA Cup: 2010–11
FA Community Shield: 2012
Belgian Golden Shoe: 2004
Belgian Young Professional Footballer of the Year: 2004, 2005
Belgian Ebony Shoe: 2004, 2005
Belgian Player of the Year (Playing Abroad): 2010
Premier League Player of the Season: 2011–12
PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2010–11, 2011–12
Branislav Ivanovic
The Serbian has been at Chelsea since moving from Loko Moscow in Jan 2008 and whilst Avram Grant refused to play him after the £9m transfer (during which he almost left the Club) but Scolari give him his debut 8mths later!
Despite a lack of games and several managers it was 2009/10 which saw him command the right back position as Chelsea lifted the League & Cup double and Ivanovic was named EPL right back of the year albeit due to injuries in 2010/11 he was switched inside to Central Defence.
The big Serbian has a reputation as a goal scorer and rightly so as he has scored vital goals during his time at Chelsea, in 2011/12 scoring the ET winner in UCL v Napoli and played a pivotal role in the SF victory over Barcelona albeit was then suspended in the final which Chelsea won. Then again in 2012/13 he scored 8 goals and the eighth was a dramatic late late winner in the Europa Final.
With Opta stating the player has no weaknesses and his strengths include strong tackling, heading and passing the Serb boasts 42 career goals! A player that can perform in several positions at the top level.
Stats: Ivanović was subject to an oral assault by Liverpool striker Luiz Suarez in their Premier League fixture on 21 April 2013
Years to assess - 2006-13
Awards
Russian Cup (1): 2007
Premier League (1): 2009–10
FA Cup (3): 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12
FA Community Shield (1): 2009
UEFA Champions League (1): 2011–12
UEFA Europa League (1): 2012–13
PFA Team of the Year (1): 2009–10
Serbian Player of the Year: 2012
2013 UEFA Europa League Final: Man of the match
Javier Mascherano
The Argentine defensive midfielder, has also become a top central defender since his move from Liverpool to Barcelona. His fitness, reading of play and his love of a strong tackle places him in high regard as a real ball winner.
Maradonna's captain choice was destined for greatness at a young age winning titles with River Plate and Corinthians whilst taking the Olympic Gold medal in 2004 before a move to EPL fwith West Ham but swiftly joining Liverpool where Benitez described the tenacious midfielder as a "monster of a player" and made a huge impact as LFC progressed to the UCL Final in 2007/8 after the £18.6m deal was finalized.
In 2008 JM went on to win a second Olympic Gold medal and in 2010 he captain his country in the World Cup and then transferred to Barcelona and after waiting for his opportunity he established himself and partnered Pique in the UCL final win over Man City and has since been a mainstay in the role. A player that can perform in several positions at the top level
Stats : It has since been discovered that Mystere Services and Global Soccer Agencies are the companies that owned Mascherano and not West Ham which led to a record £5.5m fine for the Club & difficulties for Liverpool to sign him.
Years to assess - 2003-13
Awards
Primera División Argentina: 2003–04 Clausura
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2005
UEFA Champions League; Runner-up 2006–07
La Liga: 2010–11, 2012–13
Copa del Rey: 2011–12; Runner-up 2010–11
Supercopa de España: 2011; Runner-up 2012
UEFA Champions League: 2010–11
UEFA Super Cup: 2011
FIFA Club World Cup: 2011
Olympic Gold Medal: 2004, 2008
Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool legend will need no introduction as the current England captain has been an absolute colossus since cementing his place in the team in 2000. His box to box style, strength, skill, passing range, goal scoring power and ability to deliver from set plays is well known. A player that at times has physically carried his Liverpool team and turned games completely on its head, as was the case in UCL final in 2005 as he sparked the comeback of all comebacks from 3 down v AC Milan, and then in 2006 grabbed a spectacular late equalizer v West Ham in the FA Cup Final to take the game to extra time which LFC then won. The goals made him the only player to have scored in the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League finals
Zinedine Zidane said in 2009 that he considered Gerrard to be the best footballer in the world saying "Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but yes, I think he might be. Gerrard was named as the 2009 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Liverpool player to win the award in nineteen years.
With SG whilst he offers consistent performances, and a desire to win, he has 159 Club goals, with 19 in 102 games for England yet its his pass completion rate and volume assists (85 in EPL) also set the standards many player strive to achieve, with Opta also identifying one of his strongest attributes as his defensive contribution! SG is the complete midfielder. A player that can perform in several positions at the top level
Stat Gerrard's cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was killed in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, when Gerrard was eight. Jon-Paul, who was 10 when he died, was the youngest of the 96 victims of the tragedy. Gerrard's autobiography which won the Sports Book of the Year in 2006 end with "I play for Jon-Paul." That helps explain the tremendous passion & drive.
Years to assess - 2000-13
FA Cup (2): 2000–01, 2005–06
League Cup (3): 2000–01, 2002–03, 2011–12
FA Community Shield (2): 2001, 2006
UEFA Champions League (1): 2004–05
UEFA Cup (1): 2000–01
UEFA Super Cup (2): 2001, 2005
FWA Footballer of the Year (1): 2009
PFA Players' Player of the Year (1): 2006
PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2001
PFA Fans' Player of the Year (2): 2001, 2009
England Player of the Year Award (2): 2007, 2012
PFA Team of the Year (7): 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Liverpool Top Goalscorer (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09
Ballon d'Or Bronze Award (1): 2005
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1): 2005
UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match (1): 2005
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament (1): 2012
UEFA Team of the Year (3): 2005, 2006, 2007
FIFA/FIFPro World XI (3): 2007, 2008, 2009
ESM Team of the Year (1): 2008–09
FWA Tribute Award: 2013
FA Cup Final Man of the Match (1): 2006
Goal of the Season (1): 2006
Member of the Order of the British Empire: 2007
IFFHS World's Most Popular Footballer: 2006
Wayne Rooney
England’s youngest ever goal scorer after he burst onto the scene with Everton as a big strong 16 year old and his sensational late winning goal v Arsenal (ending their 30 game unbeaten run) proved a springboard in 2002, and after just 15 goals in 67 games, he made a big money (£25.6m) move to Man Utd in 2004. He made his United debut on 28 September (still only 18) in a 6–2 home win over Fenerbahçe in the Champions League, scoring a hat-trick (youngest in UCL history) and laying on an assist.
Rooney has since had many years at Old Trafford, scoring a total of 197 goals & 95 assists in 400 games despite several injuries, controversial incidents and playing out wide or as a central midfield the energy levels and ability never prevents him from getting goals or creating goals and his abilities have provided a show real of tap-ins, coupled with spectacular such as the bicycle kick winner in the Manchester derby in 2011. His performances has aided the Club to rack up a raft of trophies which includes 5 EPL titles along with a host of Individual awards. In 2013 WR played 21 games in midfield scoring 11 & assisted 8 goals. With excellent passing and ability to hold onto the ball it allowed strikers the space to move and Rooney exploited it.
Internationally, Rooney has played several positions under various managers, but has continued to be a consistent international scorer with 36 goals and 16 assists in 83 games & has climbed to 6th in the list of English scorers. A player that can perform in several positions at the top level
Stat - Rooney gave up boxing to pursue a career in football when he originally joined Everton, but he still uses boxing as a way to curb his temper
Years to assess - 2004-13
Awards
Premier League (5): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
Football League Cup (2): 2005–06, 2009–10
FA Community Shield (3): 2007, 2010, 2011
UEFA Champions League (1): 2007–08
FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008
PFA Players' Player of the Year (1): 2009–10
PFA Young Player of the Year (2): 2004–05, 2005–06
PFA Fans' Player of the Year (2): 2005–06, 2009–10
PFA Premier League Team of the Year (3): 2005–06, 2009–10, 2011–12
FWA Footballer of the Year (1): 2009–10
Goal of the Season (3): 2004–05, 2006–07, 2010–11
BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year (1): 2002
UEFA Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament
FIFPro World Young Player of the Year (1): 2004–05
Premier League Player of the Month (5): February 2005, December 2005, March 2006, October 2007, January 2010
Barclays Player of the Year (1): 2009–10
Premier League 20 Seasons Awards (1992–93 to 2011–12):
Best Goal (vs. Manchester City, 12 February 2011)
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (1): 2008
Golden Boot Landmark Award 20 (1): 2009–10
FIFA/FIFPro World XI (1): 2011
Alessandro Del Piero
He is third in the ranking of Italian all-time top scorers (335 goals, behind Giuseppe Meazza, 338 goals, and Silvio Piola, 364 goals) He played at Juventus for 19 years (11 years as captain) and holds the club records for goals (290) and appearances (705). Del Piero scored in all competitions in which he participated playing in three FIFA World Cup and four UEFA European Championships He is joint 4th (with Roberto Baggio) in the Italian national team top-scorer ranking, with 27 goals in 91 appearances.
With the Turin club, he went on to win the Serie A championship eight times, the Champions League, the Coppa Italia, and the Intercontinental Cup. He helped Italy lift the 2006 World Cup scoring in the Semi v Germany and notching a penalty in the Final.
One of Del Piero's greatest strengths as a footballer is his versatility, which allows him to play in a variety of attacking positions. Del Piero usually plays as a supporting-striker and occasionally between the midfield and the strikers, known in Italy as the trequartista position, due to his vision, dribbling ability and creativity. Del Piero's playing style is regarded by critics as creative in attacking, assisting many goals as well as scoring himself, as opposed to just "goal poaching.
Del Piero is a free kick and penalty kick (62 goals with penalties) specialist and he's the Italian free kicks all-time top scorer with 49 goals. Not satisfied at finishing his career he is now continuing to play in Australia's A league - scoring 14 goals in 24 games for Sydney! A player that can perform in several positions at the top level
Stat - The football media refer to a "Del Piero Zone", a style of scoring involving approaching from the left flank and curling a precise curled lob into the far top corner of the goal. The "Del Piero Zone" has been used to describe the goals of other players who scored in this way.
Years to assess - 2000-13
Awards
Serie A (6): 1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2011–12 (also won two more: 2004-05, 2005–06 removed from Juventus in Calciopoli)
Serie B (1): 2006–07
Coppa Italia (1): 1994–95. Runner-up: 2001–02, 2003–04, 2011–12
Supercoppa Italiana (4): 1995, 1997, 2002, 2003
UEFA Champions League (1): 1995–96. Runner-up: 1996–97, 1997–98, 2002–03
UEFA Super Cup (1): 1996
Campionato Nazionale Primavera (1): 1993-1994
FIFA World Cup (1): 2006
UEFA European Championship: Runner-up: 2000
UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll: Top 50 1954-2004, Top 250 1994-2003
Giuseppe Prisco National Award: 2006
USSI Prize-Italian sportsman of the year: 2006[158]
Special Prize Gentleman Silver Cup: 2006
San Siro Gentleman Award Serie A: 2006
Golden Foot to career: 2007
Telegatto-Best Sportsman: 2007
Scirea Award to career: 2008
USSI Silver Ball: 2008
International Award for Sport and Civility-Ambassador of Sports: 2009
Sportsman of the Year Golden Award: 2010
Globe Soccer Award: 2011
Novara Fair Play Award: 2011[159]
Oscar AIC-Italian Footballer ot the Year: 1998, 2008
Oscar AIC-Top scorer: 2008
Oscar AIC-Serie A Fan Award: 2001, 2008
Oscar AIC-Award to Career: 2011
Serie B-Top scorer: 2006-2007 (20 goals)
Serie A-Top scorer: 2007-2008 (21 goals)
Sydney FC Player of the Year Award: 2013
Sydney FC Golden Boot: 2013[160]
A-League goal of the season: 2012-2013[163]
Radamel Falao
He has just completed a 60m Euro transfer to Monaco snubbing a host of huge Clubs fighting for the Columbians striker as his goal ratio to games have been staggering in the last 4 seasons in 118 Club league games he has scored 93 goals!!
Falcao is considered by many experts to be the 'deadliest' striker in the world and having moved to Porto following 45 goals in 105 games for River plate, his first season in Portugal in 2009/10 brought 34 in 45 with the 34th a Cup Final winner. In 2010/11 he exploded, with 38 goals in 42 games which included a record 18 goals in the European campaign (beating Klinsmann’s record) with the winner in the Europa Cup Final, to add to the Premeira League title & Super Cup.
This attracted a big money move to Madrid – but surprisingly it was Atletico who landed him and his goals continued to flow, with another 12 in European competition as his brace in the Final earned him another winners medal but also took his tally to 36 goals in 50 games. He then smashed an hat trick in opening la liga game of 2012/13 and followed that up with a stunning performance and hat trick v Chelsea in the Super Cup Final, he went on to score 34 in 40 games. His final game so him turn to play maker as he superbly set up a goal as Atletico beat Real Madrid for the first time in 14 years!!
Falcao's talents have been recognized by many football players former and current, perhaps most notably by Pep Guardiola, who described him as "sensational" and as one of the most talented in the world. Many figures such as Fabio Capello have considered him to be on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while acknowledging Falcao as the best striker in the world. Falcao has even been praised by current King of Spain Juan Carlos I himself for his remarkable talents.
Internationally, despite winning the SA Youth Championships in 2005 the Columbian National team is not regarded as the strongest albeit Falao has still scored 17 in 45 games.
His abilities to adapt to most positions and scoring goals with various parts of his body has resulted in goals than most would never expect. His footing and curves are highly noticeable through his games regardless of distance and/or positions. Falcao is well known for having a strong weak foot (left) that is on equals with his right foot (preference) allowing him to be flexible with goal scoring even in the most awkward positions. Uniquely, while Falcao is only of average height (only three inches taller than Messi), his header technique has given him an edge winning generally all aerial battles for the balls. His most impressive goals tend to be headers, with the majority of his goals coming in the air.
Stat - In the match against Deportivo de La Coruña on 9 December, Falcao scored an astonishing five goals, becoming the first player in La Liga in over a decade to net five goals in a game
Years to assess - 2007-13
Awards
Argentine Primera División (1): 2008
Primeira Liga (1): 2010–11
Taça de Portugal (2): 2009–10, 2010–11
Portuguese Super Cup (2): 2010, 2011
UEFA Europa League (1): 2010–11
Copa del Rey (1): 2012–13
UEFA Europa League (1): 2011–12
UEFA Super Cup (1): 2012
South American Youth Championship (1): 2005
South American XI (1): 2007
Taça de Portugal Top Goalscorer (1): 2009–10
Portuguese Golden Ball (1): 2010–11
UEFA Europa League Top Goalscorer (2): 2010–11,1 2011–12
UEFA Europa League Final Man of the Match (2): 2011, 2012
*First player in history to win 2 consecutive European tournament titles with two different teams
UEFA Super Cup Man of the Match (1): 2012
*First player in history to score a hat-trick in a single legged format UEFA Super Cup
*One of the few in history to score 5 goals in a La Liga match
FIFA Ballon d'Or nominated (1): 2012 (5th)
FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2012
GQ Sports man of the year (1): 2012
Globe Best Footballer (1): 2012
Onze de Bronze (1): 2012
Guardian ranked 6th in Best 100 footballers in the world
Trofeo EFE (1): 2012
Miroslav Klose
Before discussing Club achievements Klose is a German legend and a World Cup goal scoring legend! Having played 127 times he has scored 67 goals with 23 assists for Germany. With five goals, he was the top scorer and Golden Boot winner at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the first German player to win the award since reunification. Klose also scored five goals in the 2002 World Cup, all of which were headers. He scored four times in the 2010 World Cup, giving him a total of 14 World Cup goals and putting him joint second along with Gerd Müller on the list of top FIFA World Cup goalscorers. This 6 foot striker is not just a goal scorer, but is a real handful for the very best defenders in the world, with his strength, movement and link play making him a perfect partner and many strikers have benefited from playing alongside the German, including Podolski.
His Club Career has also seen superb service over the 13 years – with 199 goals in 499 games. From 2000-01 at Kaiseslautern he showed the potential despite an unfashionable team he scored 33 in 67 games and continued to score goals earning a move to Werder Bremen in 2004 and in 3 seasons he scored 53 league goals in 89 games and moved on to Munich after accolades from Franz Beckenbaur.
At Bayern hid first two seasons were very productive – 2007/08 21 goals in 47 games as they won the domestic double, in 2008/09 he again rattled 20 goals in 38 games after disappointment in the Euro’s despite scoring in Q/F and S/F they lost to Spain in the Final.
A few injuries plighted the final two years at Bayern, and Klose took his goals to Lazio where he has scored 28 league goals in 56 games, grabbing a 5 goal haul on 5th May 2013 v Bologna after returning from a lengthy injury, and went on to aid Lazio to a derby Cup Final victory at the end of 2012/13
Stat - Klose is also the only player to have scored at least five goals in consecutive World Cups, as well as the only player to have scored at least four in three different tournament
Years to assess - 2000-13
Awards
DFB-Ligapokal (1): 2006
Bundesliga (2): 2007–08, 2009–10
UEFA Champions League Runner-up: 2009–10
DFB-Pokal (2): 2008, 2010
DFB-Ligapokal (1): 2007
DFB-Supercup (1): 2010
Coppa Italia (1): 2012–13
FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 2002
FIFA World Cup 3rd Place: 2006, 2010
UEFA European Football Championship Runner-up: 2008
German Footballer of the Year: 2006
Bundesliga Top Goalscorer (25 goals): 2006
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002, 2006
FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe: 2002
FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe: 2006
Personal records
FIFA World Cup second all-time top scorer along with Gerd Müller: 14 goals
Only player to have scored at least four goals in three FIFA World Cups
Only player to have participated in five Euro and World Cup semifinals
Germany's second all-time top scorer: 67 goals, only behind Gerd Müller
Germany's second most capped player behind Lothar Matthäus
One of eight players in Serie A history scoring 5 goals in a match
Wesley Sneijder
Another player that can play in a variety of position across the midfield or behind the strikers. Due to his impeccable placement and confirmed ability to score from free kicks, Sneijder earned the reputation as a dead-ball specialist.With short stature, he is quick, strong on the ball, and his passing range is enhanced by his ambidexterity. At Club level the dynamo has scored 95 and assisted 92 goals in 378 games whilst for Holland he has 25 goals in 93 games. Yet due to his passing technique has been nicknamed “Sniper”.
The former Ajax Academy graduate broke into the first team in 2002/3 and quickly established himself in the side and the following season was a main part of the title winning side, with 9 goals and 11 assists from but it was the 2006/7 season which launched his career after a decent World Cup he went on to score 18 goals, assisting 9 in just 30 games from midfield. Whilst the stats were being chalked up his strength and passing had improved and he was instrumental in the heart of the Ajax & Dutch midfield creating a volume of goal scoring chances, but also pulling the strings, which allowed other to creat the goals.
Real Madrid snapped him up as a replacement for Beckham for 27m Euro…and went on to help win La Liga in his first season playing an instrumental role and contributing 9 goals but an injury at the start of the next plighted the whole season and was taken to Inter Milan in 2009/10 where in his first season he was given the number 10 role bt Jose Mourinho and Inter were outstanding with Sneijder key to everything as they lifted the league & Cup double and then after he had scored in Q/F v CSKA Moscow & the S/F v Barcelona, he then supplied the killer pass for the opener as they beat Munich in the Final.
The 2010 World Cup looked to be Sneijders crowning moment, inspiring the Dutch into the final with 5 goals along the way including goals in both the semi & Quarter Final, but the dutch lost to Spain in last minutes of extra time,
After reportedly falling out of favour with Inter due to contract renewal issues, on 20 January 2013, Sneijder agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Turkish club Galatasaray who went on to win their league.
Stats - In May 2008, it was reported that Sneijder had prevented his younger brother Rodney from a summer transfer to his club - Real Madrid. Sneijder said, "Real wanted him and Rodney was very happy about that. But when I heard, I stopped the discussions. I am not in favour of juniors increasingly going to top clubs. I've told him that he first must make a break through at Ajax.
Years to assess - 2003-12
Awards
Eredivisie (1): 2003–04
KNVB Cup (2): 2005–06, 2006–07
Johan Cruijff-schaal (4): 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007
La Liga (1): 2007–08
Supercopa de España (1): 2008
Serie A (1): 2009–10
Coppa Italia (2): 2009–10, 2010–11
Supercoppa Italiana (1): 2010
UEFA Champions League (1): 2009–10
FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2010
Süper Lig (1): 2012–13
FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 2010
Johan Cruijff Prijs (1): 2004
Ajax Talent of the Future (1): 2002
Ajax Player of the Year (1): 2007
UEFA Euro 2008: 2x Man of the Match: vs. Italy, vs. France,
UEFA Team of the Tournament
Best Goal of the Tournament: vs France
2010 UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match
2010 FIFA World Cup: 4x Man of the Match: Denmark / Japan / Brazil / Uruguay
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
FIFA World Cup Silver Ball
FIFA World Cup Bronze Shoe
UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year (1): 2010
FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2010
UEFA Team of the Year (1): 2010
ESM Team of the Year (1): 2009–10
A renown eccentric goalkeeper, that whilst in his prime was one of the best keepers in the World with a combination of ball skills and superb reflex he was a real fans favorite and built a reputation for saving penalties.
Whilst the French keeper had a superb 90's which included the World Cup amongst other titles, but the 2000's were equally impressive as he was pivotal as Monaco lifted their last Lique 1 title in 99/00 and he went on that year to lift the UEFA Euro Championships with France and was voted the European best Goalkeeper for the second time.
His performance earned him a lucrative contract at Man Utd to fill the huge void of Peter Schmeichal and lifted the EPL in his first season with the Club only conceding 31 goals, whilst Barthez also made critical saves as Utd were crowned Champions in 2002/3 which ended the 3 season spell under SAF after he helped France to a Confederation Cup victory as he returned to an average Marseille side.
He concluded his International career by equal the record amount of WC clean sheets in the 2006 World Cup despite France ending as runners up.
Years to assess - 2000-06
Stat - Barthez saved a Beckham pen in Euro 2004 after retiring he took up Motorsport!
Personal Awards from 2000:
IFFHS Worlds Best Keeper - 2000
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament - 2000
EPL Team of the Year - 2001
Marcelo –
The Brazilian & Real Madrid flying full back who prior to injury this season has been held in THE highest regard as Paolo Maldini stated Marcelo, "who is a great attacker and a defender, a specialist of both areas."
Roberto Carlos named Marcelo as the worlds best left back, saying. “He had more ability than me with the ball and he joins in better,” and even called him his heir! Diego Maradona said he was the third best player in La Liga, after Ronaldo and Messi. When fit this is guy is a superstar.
Showing his attacking flair and defensive skills he has recorded 23 goals & 31 assists during his Club career of 258 appearances, with a further 4 international goals as he has the speed fitness and skills to be effective high up the field in addition to his excellent defensive work that has helped Real to 3 titles in 6 full seasons. Due to his dribbling skills, Pellegrini had used him as a winger & in 2009/10 was top of assists charts in La Liga! A player that can perform in several positions at the top level.
Stat - Marcelo scored on his Brazil debut against Wales at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane
Years to assess - 2006-13
Awards from 2006:
2006 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year
UEFA Team of the Year: 2011
FIFA/FIFPro World XI: 2012
La Liga (3): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2011–12
Copa del Rey (1): 2010–11
Supercopa de España (2): 2008, 2012
Lukasz Piszczek
The Polish full back has been rated as one of the best Right Backs in the World by many polls over the last years with solid defensive performances for Dortmund & Poland. Whilst a solid defender that demonstrated his qualities by keeping Ronaldo quiet for large parts of the two legged S/F but equally the full back has the ability to get forward score goals and create goals - last season alone scoring 4 but assisting 12 goals!
The young Polish striker (yes striker) scored 11 goals, to help Zaglebie surprisingly lift the 2007 Polish title and after returning to Hertha Berlin came back from injury to play as right back in 2009/10 but still retains the ability to score and create.
Stat: the PZPN imposed a six-month suspension on Piszczek for participation in the fixing of a 2006 Cracovia match in which he did not play. In September 2011, the suspension was cancelled.
Years to assess - 2006-13
Awards:
Polish Title 2006/7
Bundesliga 2010/11 & 2011/12
German Cup 2011/12
UEFA U19 Championship - Top Scorer 2004
Vincent Kompany - The current Manchester City & Belgium Captain who can play in central midfield but is more known for his performances at Centre Back and was named in the team of the year in both 2011 & 2012 along with being named the EPL player of the season in 2012 after guiding City to the Premier League title, whilst listed at 23rd best player in the World!
Hamburg had paid $10m from Anderlecht in 2006 yet Mark Hughes brought him to City for just £6m and has been a rock in the 5 seasons at the Club and his absence through injury leaves a huge void in the heart of defence due to hispace, reading of the game & organisation.
He has superb stats to support his tackling and more so his distribution (90% in 2012/3) and helped City to achieve the best defensive record in the league in each of the last 2 years, with just 29 goals conceded in 38 games as they won the title.
A real threat at set plays with his ariel power despite only 7 goals in 151 league games for city. A player that can perform in several positions at the top level.
Stat: On March 2013, Kompany bought the struggling Belgian third division club FC Bleid.
Years to assess - 2003-13
Awards
Belgian First Division: 2003–04, 2005–06
UEFA Intertoto Cup: 2007
Premier League: 2011–12
FA Cup: 2010–11
FA Community Shield: 2012
Belgian Golden Shoe: 2004
Belgian Young Professional Footballer of the Year: 2004, 2005
Belgian Ebony Shoe: 2004, 2005
Belgian Player of the Year (Playing Abroad): 2010
Premier League Player of the Season: 2011–12
PFA Premier League Team of the Year: 2010–11, 2011–12
Branislav Ivanovic
The Serbian has been at Chelsea since moving from Loko Moscow in Jan 2008 and whilst Avram Grant refused to play him after the £9m transfer (during which he almost left the Club) but Scolari give him his debut 8mths later!
Despite a lack of games and several managers it was 2009/10 which saw him command the right back position as Chelsea lifted the League & Cup double and Ivanovic was named EPL right back of the year albeit due to injuries in 2010/11 he was switched inside to Central Defence.
The big Serbian has a reputation as a goal scorer and rightly so as he has scored vital goals during his time at Chelsea, in 2011/12 scoring the ET winner in UCL v Napoli and played a pivotal role in the SF victory over Barcelona albeit was then suspended in the final which Chelsea won. Then again in 2012/13 he scored 8 goals and the eighth was a dramatic late late winner in the Europa Final.
With Opta stating the player has no weaknesses and his strengths include strong tackling, heading and passing the Serb boasts 42 career goals! A player that can perform in several positions at the top level.
Stats: Ivanović was subject to an oral assault by Liverpool striker Luiz Suarez in their Premier League fixture on 21 April 2013
Years to assess - 2006-13
Awards
Russian Cup (1): 2007
Premier League (1): 2009–10
FA Cup (3): 2008–09, 2009–10, 2011–12
FA Community Shield (1): 2009
UEFA Champions League (1): 2011–12
UEFA Europa League (1): 2012–13
PFA Team of the Year (1): 2009–10
Serbian Player of the Year: 2012
2013 UEFA Europa League Final: Man of the match
Javier Mascherano
The Argentine defensive midfielder, has also become a top central defender since his move from Liverpool to Barcelona. His fitness, reading of play and his love of a strong tackle places him in high regard as a real ball winner.
Maradonna's captain choice was destined for greatness at a young age winning titles with River Plate and Corinthians whilst taking the Olympic Gold medal in 2004 before a move to EPL fwith West Ham but swiftly joining Liverpool where Benitez described the tenacious midfielder as a "monster of a player" and made a huge impact as LFC progressed to the UCL Final in 2007/8 after the £18.6m deal was finalized.
In 2008 JM went on to win a second Olympic Gold medal and in 2010 he captain his country in the World Cup and then transferred to Barcelona and after waiting for his opportunity he established himself and partnered Pique in the UCL final win over Man City and has since been a mainstay in the role. A player that can perform in several positions at the top level
Stats : It has since been discovered that Mystere Services and Global Soccer Agencies are the companies that owned Mascherano and not West Ham which led to a record £5.5m fine for the Club & difficulties for Liverpool to sign him.
Years to assess - 2003-13
Awards
Primera División Argentina: 2003–04 Clausura
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A: 2005
UEFA Champions League; Runner-up 2006–07
La Liga: 2010–11, 2012–13
Copa del Rey: 2011–12; Runner-up 2010–11
Supercopa de España: 2011; Runner-up 2012
UEFA Champions League: 2010–11
UEFA Super Cup: 2011
FIFA Club World Cup: 2011
Olympic Gold Medal: 2004, 2008
Steven Gerrard
The Liverpool legend will need no introduction as the current England captain has been an absolute colossus since cementing his place in the team in 2000. His box to box style, strength, skill, passing range, goal scoring power and ability to deliver from set plays is well known. A player that at times has physically carried his Liverpool team and turned games completely on its head, as was the case in UCL final in 2005 as he sparked the comeback of all comebacks from 3 down v AC Milan, and then in 2006 grabbed a spectacular late equalizer v West Ham in the FA Cup Final to take the game to extra time which LFC then won. The goals made him the only player to have scored in the FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Cup and Champions League finals
Zinedine Zidane said in 2009 that he considered Gerrard to be the best footballer in the world saying "Is he the best in the world? He might not get the attention of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo but yes, I think he might be. Gerrard was named as the 2009 Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year, becoming the first Liverpool player to win the award in nineteen years.
With SG whilst he offers consistent performances, and a desire to win, he has 159 Club goals, with 19 in 102 games for England yet its his pass completion rate and volume assists (85 in EPL) also set the standards many player strive to achieve, with Opta also identifying one of his strongest attributes as his defensive contribution! SG is the complete midfielder. A player that can perform in several positions at the top level
Stat Gerrard's cousin, Jon-Paul Gilhooley, was killed in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, when Gerrard was eight. Jon-Paul, who was 10 when he died, was the youngest of the 96 victims of the tragedy. Gerrard's autobiography which won the Sports Book of the Year in 2006 end with "I play for Jon-Paul." That helps explain the tremendous passion & drive.
Years to assess - 2000-13
FA Cup (2): 2000–01, 2005–06
League Cup (3): 2000–01, 2002–03, 2011–12
FA Community Shield (2): 2001, 2006
UEFA Champions League (1): 2004–05
UEFA Cup (1): 2000–01
UEFA Super Cup (2): 2001, 2005
FWA Footballer of the Year (1): 2009
PFA Players' Player of the Year (1): 2006
PFA Young Player of the Year (1): 2001
PFA Fans' Player of the Year (2): 2001, 2009
England Player of the Year Award (2): 2007, 2012
PFA Team of the Year (7): 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Liverpool Top Goalscorer (3): 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09
Ballon d'Or Bronze Award (1): 2005
UEFA Club Footballer of the Year (1): 2005
UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match (1): 2005
UEFA Euro Team of the Tournament (1): 2012
UEFA Team of the Year (3): 2005, 2006, 2007
FIFA/FIFPro World XI (3): 2007, 2008, 2009
ESM Team of the Year (1): 2008–09
FWA Tribute Award: 2013
FA Cup Final Man of the Match (1): 2006
Goal of the Season (1): 2006
Member of the Order of the British Empire: 2007
IFFHS World's Most Popular Footballer: 2006
Wayne Rooney
England’s youngest ever goal scorer after he burst onto the scene with Everton as a big strong 16 year old and his sensational late winning goal v Arsenal (ending their 30 game unbeaten run) proved a springboard in 2002, and after just 15 goals in 67 games, he made a big money (£25.6m) move to Man Utd in 2004. He made his United debut on 28 September (still only 18) in a 6–2 home win over Fenerbahçe in the Champions League, scoring a hat-trick (youngest in UCL history) and laying on an assist.
Rooney has since had many years at Old Trafford, scoring a total of 197 goals & 95 assists in 400 games despite several injuries, controversial incidents and playing out wide or as a central midfield the energy levels and ability never prevents him from getting goals or creating goals and his abilities have provided a show real of tap-ins, coupled with spectacular such as the bicycle kick winner in the Manchester derby in 2011. His performances has aided the Club to rack up a raft of trophies which includes 5 EPL titles along with a host of Individual awards. In 2013 WR played 21 games in midfield scoring 11 & assisted 8 goals. With excellent passing and ability to hold onto the ball it allowed strikers the space to move and Rooney exploited it.
Internationally, Rooney has played several positions under various managers, but has continued to be a consistent international scorer with 36 goals and 16 assists in 83 games & has climbed to 6th in the list of English scorers. A player that can perform in several positions at the top level
Stat - Rooney gave up boxing to pursue a career in football when he originally joined Everton, but he still uses boxing as a way to curb his temper
Years to assess - 2004-13
Awards
Premier League (5): 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2012–13
Football League Cup (2): 2005–06, 2009–10
FA Community Shield (3): 2007, 2010, 2011
UEFA Champions League (1): 2007–08
FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2008
PFA Players' Player of the Year (1): 2009–10
PFA Young Player of the Year (2): 2004–05, 2005–06
PFA Fans' Player of the Year (2): 2005–06, 2009–10
PFA Premier League Team of the Year (3): 2005–06, 2009–10, 2011–12
FWA Footballer of the Year (1): 2009–10
Goal of the Season (3): 2004–05, 2006–07, 2010–11
BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year (1): 2002
UEFA Euro 2004 Team of the Tournament
FIFPro World Young Player of the Year (1): 2004–05
Premier League Player of the Month (5): February 2005, December 2005, March 2006, October 2007, January 2010
Barclays Player of the Year (1): 2009–10
Premier League 20 Seasons Awards (1992–93 to 2011–12):
Best Goal (vs. Manchester City, 12 February 2011)
FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball (1): 2008
Golden Boot Landmark Award 20 (1): 2009–10
FIFA/FIFPro World XI (1): 2011
Alessandro Del Piero
He is third in the ranking of Italian all-time top scorers (335 goals, behind Giuseppe Meazza, 338 goals, and Silvio Piola, 364 goals) He played at Juventus for 19 years (11 years as captain) and holds the club records for goals (290) and appearances (705). Del Piero scored in all competitions in which he participated playing in three FIFA World Cup and four UEFA European Championships He is joint 4th (with Roberto Baggio) in the Italian national team top-scorer ranking, with 27 goals in 91 appearances.
With the Turin club, he went on to win the Serie A championship eight times, the Champions League, the Coppa Italia, and the Intercontinental Cup. He helped Italy lift the 2006 World Cup scoring in the Semi v Germany and notching a penalty in the Final.
One of Del Piero's greatest strengths as a footballer is his versatility, which allows him to play in a variety of attacking positions. Del Piero usually plays as a supporting-striker and occasionally between the midfield and the strikers, known in Italy as the trequartista position, due to his vision, dribbling ability and creativity. Del Piero's playing style is regarded by critics as creative in attacking, assisting many goals as well as scoring himself, as opposed to just "goal poaching.
Del Piero is a free kick and penalty kick (62 goals with penalties) specialist and he's the Italian free kicks all-time top scorer with 49 goals. Not satisfied at finishing his career he is now continuing to play in Australia's A league - scoring 14 goals in 24 games for Sydney! A player that can perform in several positions at the top level
Stat - The football media refer to a "Del Piero Zone", a style of scoring involving approaching from the left flank and curling a precise curled lob into the far top corner of the goal. The "Del Piero Zone" has been used to describe the goals of other players who scored in this way.
Years to assess - 2000-13
Awards
Serie A (6): 1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2011–12 (also won two more: 2004-05, 2005–06 removed from Juventus in Calciopoli)
Serie B (1): 2006–07
Coppa Italia (1): 1994–95. Runner-up: 2001–02, 2003–04, 2011–12
Supercoppa Italiana (4): 1995, 1997, 2002, 2003
UEFA Champions League (1): 1995–96. Runner-up: 1996–97, 1997–98, 2002–03
UEFA Super Cup (1): 1996
Campionato Nazionale Primavera (1): 1993-1994
FIFA World Cup (1): 2006
UEFA European Championship: Runner-up: 2000
UEFA Golden Jubilee Poll: Top 50 1954-2004, Top 250 1994-2003
Giuseppe Prisco National Award: 2006
USSI Prize-Italian sportsman of the year: 2006[158]
Special Prize Gentleman Silver Cup: 2006
San Siro Gentleman Award Serie A: 2006
Golden Foot to career: 2007
Telegatto-Best Sportsman: 2007
Scirea Award to career: 2008
USSI Silver Ball: 2008
International Award for Sport and Civility-Ambassador of Sports: 2009
Sportsman of the Year Golden Award: 2010
Globe Soccer Award: 2011
Novara Fair Play Award: 2011[159]
Oscar AIC-Italian Footballer ot the Year: 1998, 2008
Oscar AIC-Top scorer: 2008
Oscar AIC-Serie A Fan Award: 2001, 2008
Oscar AIC-Award to Career: 2011
Serie B-Top scorer: 2006-2007 (20 goals)
Serie A-Top scorer: 2007-2008 (21 goals)
Sydney FC Player of the Year Award: 2013
Sydney FC Golden Boot: 2013[160]
A-League goal of the season: 2012-2013[163]
Radamel Falao
He has just completed a 60m Euro transfer to Monaco snubbing a host of huge Clubs fighting for the Columbians striker as his goal ratio to games have been staggering in the last 4 seasons in 118 Club league games he has scored 93 goals!!
Falcao is considered by many experts to be the 'deadliest' striker in the world and having moved to Porto following 45 goals in 105 games for River plate, his first season in Portugal in 2009/10 brought 34 in 45 with the 34th a Cup Final winner. In 2010/11 he exploded, with 38 goals in 42 games which included a record 18 goals in the European campaign (beating Klinsmann’s record) with the winner in the Europa Cup Final, to add to the Premeira League title & Super Cup.
This attracted a big money move to Madrid – but surprisingly it was Atletico who landed him and his goals continued to flow, with another 12 in European competition as his brace in the Final earned him another winners medal but also took his tally to 36 goals in 50 games. He then smashed an hat trick in opening la liga game of 2012/13 and followed that up with a stunning performance and hat trick v Chelsea in the Super Cup Final, he went on to score 34 in 40 games. His final game so him turn to play maker as he superbly set up a goal as Atletico beat Real Madrid for the first time in 14 years!!
Falcao's talents have been recognized by many football players former and current, perhaps most notably by Pep Guardiola, who described him as "sensational" and as one of the most talented in the world. Many figures such as Fabio Capello have considered him to be on the same level as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, while acknowledging Falcao as the best striker in the world. Falcao has even been praised by current King of Spain Juan Carlos I himself for his remarkable talents.
Internationally, despite winning the SA Youth Championships in 2005 the Columbian National team is not regarded as the strongest albeit Falao has still scored 17 in 45 games.
His abilities to adapt to most positions and scoring goals with various parts of his body has resulted in goals than most would never expect. His footing and curves are highly noticeable through his games regardless of distance and/or positions. Falcao is well known for having a strong weak foot (left) that is on equals with his right foot (preference) allowing him to be flexible with goal scoring even in the most awkward positions. Uniquely, while Falcao is only of average height (only three inches taller than Messi), his header technique has given him an edge winning generally all aerial battles for the balls. His most impressive goals tend to be headers, with the majority of his goals coming in the air.
Stat - In the match against Deportivo de La Coruña on 9 December, Falcao scored an astonishing five goals, becoming the first player in La Liga in over a decade to net five goals in a game
Years to assess - 2007-13
Awards
Argentine Primera División (1): 2008
Primeira Liga (1): 2010–11
Taça de Portugal (2): 2009–10, 2010–11
Portuguese Super Cup (2): 2010, 2011
UEFA Europa League (1): 2010–11
Copa del Rey (1): 2012–13
UEFA Europa League (1): 2011–12
UEFA Super Cup (1): 2012
South American Youth Championship (1): 2005
South American XI (1): 2007
Taça de Portugal Top Goalscorer (1): 2009–10
Portuguese Golden Ball (1): 2010–11
UEFA Europa League Top Goalscorer (2): 2010–11,1 2011–12
UEFA Europa League Final Man of the Match (2): 2011, 2012
*First player in history to win 2 consecutive European tournament titles with two different teams
UEFA Super Cup Man of the Match (1): 2012
*First player in history to score a hat-trick in a single legged format UEFA Super Cup
*One of the few in history to score 5 goals in a La Liga match
FIFA Ballon d'Or nominated (1): 2012 (5th)
FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2012
GQ Sports man of the year (1): 2012
Globe Best Footballer (1): 2012
Onze de Bronze (1): 2012
Guardian ranked 6th in Best 100 footballers in the world
Trofeo EFE (1): 2012
Miroslav Klose
Before discussing Club achievements Klose is a German legend and a World Cup goal scoring legend! Having played 127 times he has scored 67 goals with 23 assists for Germany. With five goals, he was the top scorer and Golden Boot winner at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the first German player to win the award since reunification. Klose also scored five goals in the 2002 World Cup, all of which were headers. He scored four times in the 2010 World Cup, giving him a total of 14 World Cup goals and putting him joint second along with Gerd Müller on the list of top FIFA World Cup goalscorers. This 6 foot striker is not just a goal scorer, but is a real handful for the very best defenders in the world, with his strength, movement and link play making him a perfect partner and many strikers have benefited from playing alongside the German, including Podolski.
His Club Career has also seen superb service over the 13 years – with 199 goals in 499 games. From 2000-01 at Kaiseslautern he showed the potential despite an unfashionable team he scored 33 in 67 games and continued to score goals earning a move to Werder Bremen in 2004 and in 3 seasons he scored 53 league goals in 89 games and moved on to Munich after accolades from Franz Beckenbaur.
At Bayern hid first two seasons were very productive – 2007/08 21 goals in 47 games as they won the domestic double, in 2008/09 he again rattled 20 goals in 38 games after disappointment in the Euro’s despite scoring in Q/F and S/F they lost to Spain in the Final.
A few injuries plighted the final two years at Bayern, and Klose took his goals to Lazio where he has scored 28 league goals in 56 games, grabbing a 5 goal haul on 5th May 2013 v Bologna after returning from a lengthy injury, and went on to aid Lazio to a derby Cup Final victory at the end of 2012/13
Stat - Klose is also the only player to have scored at least five goals in consecutive World Cups, as well as the only player to have scored at least four in three different tournament
Years to assess - 2000-13
Awards
DFB-Ligapokal (1): 2006
Bundesliga (2): 2007–08, 2009–10
UEFA Champions League Runner-up: 2009–10
DFB-Pokal (2): 2008, 2010
DFB-Ligapokal (1): 2007
DFB-Supercup (1): 2010
Coppa Italia (1): 2012–13
FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 2002
FIFA World Cup 3rd Place: 2006, 2010
UEFA European Football Championship Runner-up: 2008
German Footballer of the Year: 2006
Bundesliga Top Goalscorer (25 goals): 2006
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2002, 2006
FIFA World Cup Silver Shoe: 2002
FIFA World Cup Golden Shoe: 2006
Personal records
FIFA World Cup second all-time top scorer along with Gerd Müller: 14 goals
Only player to have scored at least four goals in three FIFA World Cups
Only player to have participated in five Euro and World Cup semifinals
Germany's second all-time top scorer: 67 goals, only behind Gerd Müller
Germany's second most capped player behind Lothar Matthäus
One of eight players in Serie A history scoring 5 goals in a match
Wesley Sneijder
Another player that can play in a variety of position across the midfield or behind the strikers. Due to his impeccable placement and confirmed ability to score from free kicks, Sneijder earned the reputation as a dead-ball specialist.With short stature, he is quick, strong on the ball, and his passing range is enhanced by his ambidexterity. At Club level the dynamo has scored 95 and assisted 92 goals in 378 games whilst for Holland he has 25 goals in 93 games. Yet due to his passing technique has been nicknamed “Sniper”.
The former Ajax Academy graduate broke into the first team in 2002/3 and quickly established himself in the side and the following season was a main part of the title winning side, with 9 goals and 11 assists from but it was the 2006/7 season which launched his career after a decent World Cup he went on to score 18 goals, assisting 9 in just 30 games from midfield. Whilst the stats were being chalked up his strength and passing had improved and he was instrumental in the heart of the Ajax & Dutch midfield creating a volume of goal scoring chances, but also pulling the strings, which allowed other to creat the goals.
Real Madrid snapped him up as a replacement for Beckham for 27m Euro…and went on to help win La Liga in his first season playing an instrumental role and contributing 9 goals but an injury at the start of the next plighted the whole season and was taken to Inter Milan in 2009/10 where in his first season he was given the number 10 role bt Jose Mourinho and Inter were outstanding with Sneijder key to everything as they lifted the league & Cup double and then after he had scored in Q/F v CSKA Moscow & the S/F v Barcelona, he then supplied the killer pass for the opener as they beat Munich in the Final.
The 2010 World Cup looked to be Sneijders crowning moment, inspiring the Dutch into the final with 5 goals along the way including goals in both the semi & Quarter Final, but the dutch lost to Spain in last minutes of extra time,
After reportedly falling out of favour with Inter due to contract renewal issues, on 20 January 2013, Sneijder agreed a three-and-a-half-year deal with Turkish club Galatasaray who went on to win their league.
Stats - In May 2008, it was reported that Sneijder had prevented his younger brother Rodney from a summer transfer to his club - Real Madrid. Sneijder said, "Real wanted him and Rodney was very happy about that. But when I heard, I stopped the discussions. I am not in favour of juniors increasingly going to top clubs. I've told him that he first must make a break through at Ajax.
Years to assess - 2003-12
Awards
Eredivisie (1): 2003–04
KNVB Cup (2): 2005–06, 2006–07
Johan Cruijff-schaal (4): 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007
La Liga (1): 2007–08
Supercopa de España (1): 2008
Serie A (1): 2009–10
Coppa Italia (2): 2009–10, 2010–11
Supercoppa Italiana (1): 2010
UEFA Champions League (1): 2009–10
FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2010
Süper Lig (1): 2012–13
FIFA World Cup Runner-up: 2010
Johan Cruijff Prijs (1): 2004
Ajax Talent of the Future (1): 2002
Ajax Player of the Year (1): 2007
UEFA Euro 2008: 2x Man of the Match: vs. Italy, vs. France,
UEFA Team of the Tournament
Best Goal of the Tournament: vs France
2010 UEFA Champions League Final Man of the Match
2010 FIFA World Cup: 4x Man of the Match: Denmark / Japan / Brazil / Uruguay
FIFA World Cup All-Star Team
FIFA World Cup Silver Ball
FIFA World Cup Bronze Shoe
UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year (1): 2010
FIFA FIFPro World XI (1): 2010
UEFA Team of the Year (1): 2010
ESM Team of the Year (1): 2009–10
Tactics
Irrespective of the opponent the formation is both expansive and dynamic with players acquired to play a high tempo fast paced game which allows the obvious goal threat to be exploited by the pace offered within the team and the passing range afforded by these players demonstrated during the 2000’s!
Tactics
Starting up front…….
Klose and Falcao will play as a front pair and whilst defensively will be expected to fill the holes and track, their primary focus will be offensively, their off the ball movement and combination of pace, power and explosiveness will cause countless problems both on the floor and in the air. Both are clinical in front of goal and are big big game players but will rely on a supply of balls coming in from ADP, SG, WR, LP & Marcelo and will exploit the defensive weakness of the opponent, pressuring Luiz into mistakes & Falcao squeezing into the gap between CB’s and Dan Alves, who is identified a weak link on the left, with the ability of ball delivers both strikers will be given opportunities especially in the air where despite Falcao’s size he is superb.
Del Pierro - the mercurial Italian will play in “the hole” allowed a free role to offensively to allow his full range of talents to move around receive the ball and then utilise his skill and trickery to carve up the opposition in their half, more than capable of linking midfield to attack and importantly, able to thread a ball through an eye of a needle for the strikers, dribble pass a defender, quickly dazzle and play triangles around the opposition whilst he will carry a huge goal threat of his own as his stats suggest, both from distance and by adding as a third striker even without the ball. Playing in between the lines and targeting the fact or a real weakness in the oppositions defensive midfield to exploit the space to link play.
Defensively ADP will still give an honest account of himself in the hole dropping deeper to ensure no threat from any deep laying midfield and cover the threat of the right side full back by sitting in the defensive hole. A set piece specialist with pinpoint accuracy which will cause any defence problems not just with direct striker but in picking ou the girth of attacking threats in the box.
Midfield three
Javier Mascherano - Holding Midfield position, the next grade up from Makalele a player with a remarkable engine, and will sit, tackle, press and control the midfield. Whilst sitting in the middle, his positioning is fantastic and gives him the ability to cover the ground out wide if needed if the full back is caught going forward but primary focus will be to ensure the attacking midfielder is neutralised if its Bale, he will not allow the welsh man the space to shoot, however if Mata or Makaay deployed then JM will be pressing quickly and foil any passing. A Player not expected to get forward, but offensively will not just win balls, but retain possession with a range of short passes to ensure that the ball winners are able to get themselves in position to deliver.
Steven Gerrard – Right Centre Midfield. A true box to box midfielder with a spectacular range of passes from the short to the ridiculous with that long accurate defence splitting passes. Playing in front of JM gives him that little bit of extra freedom to attack when we go forward and will combine superbly well with Piszczek to exploit the frailties of Alves & lack of strength in midfield to deliver countless crosses into the box, but also look for the more intricate of passes.
The dynamic movement when going forward SG has superb range of shots in his repertoire, with distance strikes which will cause a constant menace to the lethargic midfield and will be a danger from set pieces both from taking but also aerially. . Defensively he is box to box and can tackle an army let alone shackle the threat of Bale drifting from the left.
Wayne Rooney – Left Centre Midfield. An absolute beast of a striker at both club and international level with undoubted goals from all area’s of the park, and a player who has played a number of games both wide on the left and in the centre of midfield.
An abundance of energy, which defensively guarantees his tracking in the middle, but also ability to push out on Zabaleta with pace to match & exploit. In attack again a player that will come looking for the ball, link up with the overlapping full back, pass and move around ADP to open up space to execute exhilarating shooting or sublime slipped through ball to the striker. Rooney relishes being constantly involved and is real goal threat but as a former striker he knows where to play the killer balls and when.
Critical in playing this formation is communication & the acquisition of the players allows the relationships established to be exploited as SG & WR have played together at International level, whilst JM & SG had 4 years together at LFC. Therefore when too attack where too attack, and when and who to defend can be clear.
Left Back – Marcelo, His skill, speed and aptitude gives you a winger and a full back in one player. His speed and positioning will thwart the threat of a plodding Beckham, and close him quickly to avoid crosses & when they attack down the opposite side he will be tucking into the CBs, but maintain an eye on DB. When we have the ball – BANG he will spring and he will be a constant threat down the left, linking play is a given but the quality of delivery will supply a number of opportunities and double up with WR against Zab to ensure the creativity leads to goals!
Right Back – Piszczek. Another full back with the ability to double as a winger and with JM ability to simply slip across and cover, he will be encouraged to attack when able and exploit the vulnerability of an attacking right side to see if he can continue to supply assist to the attackers. The defensive qualities & pace possessed by a player rated as one f the best right backs in the world and he will be able match the pace of Bale should he play will and nullify the threat as he did with Ronaldo in UCL S/F.
Centre Backs –
Ivanovic & Kompany both offensively superb when attacking set plays and both very capable of getting in on a SG, ADP or WR corner & free kick. However whilst will be pivotal attacking their focus is a rock solid defensive pairing, Ivanovic will compete physically to nullify any long balls albeit the right sided of the two, whilst Kompany will sit slightly off him organising the shape & dictating when the FBs can push or squeeze. With a distinct lack or real pace in Bergkamp, Makaay, Mata & Beckham, confident that playing a higher line (mid half) will aid the pressing game and allow the pace of the FBs to get around should anything get through centrally.
Barthez – will act as a sweeper with his pace off the line to clear up any threat hit behind the defence. His agility on shot stopping is unquestioned but its his distribution & ability with his feet to add to the frustration of the opposition as we look to utilise the possession to draw in players before springing forward with pace!
Set plays – Attacking
there is a plethora of options to take the free kicks, however ADP will be assigned shooting duty and penalties with SG taking over from further out, to exploit his power.
Attacking corners and wide free kicks will again be via the abundance of “big” ball winners – in addition to the strike duo carrying a significant thtreat in the air, WR, SG, VK & BI will be pushed into the box with strength, movement and the power to attack the delivery, whilst Marcelo will sit on the edge of the box waiting for any knock down or half clearance!
Set plays - Defence.
Wach FB will be inside posts, to prevent any soft goals, whilst 2 CBs will mark their main threat – Luiz & Alvez, SG will ensure Bale, if in box is contained, if not he will be picking Bergkamp, Klose will also be brought back with Mascherano to mop up any other threat, but we will leave the pace & power of Falcao & Rooney up field to ensure they have to keep 3 back and also hit them hard and fast when breaking.
Sub - Wes Sneijder
Irrespective of the opponent the formation is both expansive and dynamic with players acquired to play a high tempo fast paced game which allows the obvious goal threat to be exploited by the pace offered within the team and the passing range afforded by these players demonstrated during the 2000’s!
Tactics
Starting up front…….
Klose and Falcao will play as a front pair and whilst defensively will be expected to fill the holes and track, their primary focus will be offensively, their off the ball movement and combination of pace, power and explosiveness will cause countless problems both on the floor and in the air. Both are clinical in front of goal and are big big game players but will rely on a supply of balls coming in from ADP, SG, WR, LP & Marcelo and will exploit the defensive weakness of the opponent, pressuring Luiz into mistakes & Falcao squeezing into the gap between CB’s and Dan Alves, who is identified a weak link on the left, with the ability of ball delivers both strikers will be given opportunities especially in the air where despite Falcao’s size he is superb.
Del Pierro - the mercurial Italian will play in “the hole” allowed a free role to offensively to allow his full range of talents to move around receive the ball and then utilise his skill and trickery to carve up the opposition in their half, more than capable of linking midfield to attack and importantly, able to thread a ball through an eye of a needle for the strikers, dribble pass a defender, quickly dazzle and play triangles around the opposition whilst he will carry a huge goal threat of his own as his stats suggest, both from distance and by adding as a third striker even without the ball. Playing in between the lines and targeting the fact or a real weakness in the oppositions defensive midfield to exploit the space to link play.
Defensively ADP will still give an honest account of himself in the hole dropping deeper to ensure no threat from any deep laying midfield and cover the threat of the right side full back by sitting in the defensive hole. A set piece specialist with pinpoint accuracy which will cause any defence problems not just with direct striker but in picking ou the girth of attacking threats in the box.
Midfield three
Javier Mascherano - Holding Midfield position, the next grade up from Makalele a player with a remarkable engine, and will sit, tackle, press and control the midfield. Whilst sitting in the middle, his positioning is fantastic and gives him the ability to cover the ground out wide if needed if the full back is caught going forward but primary focus will be to ensure the attacking midfielder is neutralised if its Bale, he will not allow the welsh man the space to shoot, however if Mata or Makaay deployed then JM will be pressing quickly and foil any passing. A Player not expected to get forward, but offensively will not just win balls, but retain possession with a range of short passes to ensure that the ball winners are able to get themselves in position to deliver.
Steven Gerrard – Right Centre Midfield. A true box to box midfielder with a spectacular range of passes from the short to the ridiculous with that long accurate defence splitting passes. Playing in front of JM gives him that little bit of extra freedom to attack when we go forward and will combine superbly well with Piszczek to exploit the frailties of Alves & lack of strength in midfield to deliver countless crosses into the box, but also look for the more intricate of passes.
The dynamic movement when going forward SG has superb range of shots in his repertoire, with distance strikes which will cause a constant menace to the lethargic midfield and will be a danger from set pieces both from taking but also aerially. . Defensively he is box to box and can tackle an army let alone shackle the threat of Bale drifting from the left.
Wayne Rooney – Left Centre Midfield. An absolute beast of a striker at both club and international level with undoubted goals from all area’s of the park, and a player who has played a number of games both wide on the left and in the centre of midfield.
An abundance of energy, which defensively guarantees his tracking in the middle, but also ability to push out on Zabaleta with pace to match & exploit. In attack again a player that will come looking for the ball, link up with the overlapping full back, pass and move around ADP to open up space to execute exhilarating shooting or sublime slipped through ball to the striker. Rooney relishes being constantly involved and is real goal threat but as a former striker he knows where to play the killer balls and when.
Critical in playing this formation is communication & the acquisition of the players allows the relationships established to be exploited as SG & WR have played together at International level, whilst JM & SG had 4 years together at LFC. Therefore when too attack where too attack, and when and who to defend can be clear.
Left Back – Marcelo, His skill, speed and aptitude gives you a winger and a full back in one player. His speed and positioning will thwart the threat of a plodding Beckham, and close him quickly to avoid crosses & when they attack down the opposite side he will be tucking into the CBs, but maintain an eye on DB. When we have the ball – BANG he will spring and he will be a constant threat down the left, linking play is a given but the quality of delivery will supply a number of opportunities and double up with WR against Zab to ensure the creativity leads to goals!
Right Back – Piszczek. Another full back with the ability to double as a winger and with JM ability to simply slip across and cover, he will be encouraged to attack when able and exploit the vulnerability of an attacking right side to see if he can continue to supply assist to the attackers. The defensive qualities & pace possessed by a player rated as one f the best right backs in the world and he will be able match the pace of Bale should he play will and nullify the threat as he did with Ronaldo in UCL S/F.
Centre Backs –
Ivanovic & Kompany both offensively superb when attacking set plays and both very capable of getting in on a SG, ADP or WR corner & free kick. However whilst will be pivotal attacking their focus is a rock solid defensive pairing, Ivanovic will compete physically to nullify any long balls albeit the right sided of the two, whilst Kompany will sit slightly off him organising the shape & dictating when the FBs can push or squeeze. With a distinct lack or real pace in Bergkamp, Makaay, Mata & Beckham, confident that playing a higher line (mid half) will aid the pressing game and allow the pace of the FBs to get around should anything get through centrally.
Barthez – will act as a sweeper with his pace off the line to clear up any threat hit behind the defence. His agility on shot stopping is unquestioned but its his distribution & ability with his feet to add to the frustration of the opposition as we look to utilise the possession to draw in players before springing forward with pace!
Set plays – Attacking
there is a plethora of options to take the free kicks, however ADP will be assigned shooting duty and penalties with SG taking over from further out, to exploit his power.
Attacking corners and wide free kicks will again be via the abundance of “big” ball winners – in addition to the strike duo carrying a significant thtreat in the air, WR, SG, VK & BI will be pushed into the box with strength, movement and the power to attack the delivery, whilst Marcelo will sit on the edge of the box waiting for any knock down or half clearance!
Set plays - Defence.
Wach FB will be inside posts, to prevent any soft goals, whilst 2 CBs will mark their main threat – Luiz & Alvez, SG will ensure Bale, if in box is contained, if not he will be picking Bergkamp, Klose will also be brought back with Mascherano to mop up any other threat, but we will leave the pace & power of Falcao & Rooney up field to ensure they have to keep 3 back and also hit them hard and fast when breaking.
Sub - Wes Sneijder
