Football Fantasy XI: A Dream Team with a twist - Team 1
Football Fantasy XI is a new series that has been kickstarted here at Sportskeeda. The aim of the article is to make up a dream team of active football players, but with a twist.
There is a limit to the number of players based on various rules.
The rules are as follows:
a) No 2 players from the same club
b) No 2 players of the same nationality/country
c) At least 1 goalkeeper, 3 defenders, 3 midfielders, 1 striker
d) Either Messi or Ronaldo.
e) At least 2 players under 20 years of age
f) At least 1 WC-winning player
g) At least 1 player over 32 years of age
f) No more than 3 players from the same domestic league
After the end to an electrifying season of football all over the world, the time has come to keep a note of the best players in all positions. It was a herculean task to put together this team which looks lethal from back to front.
Here’s my world XI in a 4-3-3 formation:
The Team make up is as follows:
3 EPL players
3 Bundesliga players
2 Serie A players
2 La Liga players
1 Ligue 1 player
GK: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich, Bundesliga)
Nationality: German
Age: 27
The Bavarian shot stopper has had a season to remember after the invincible Bayern Munich side won a cup treble with some refulgent performances. With his brilliant reflexes and diving skills coupled with his classy goalkeeping stature, he proved to be the best this season and most probably for many years to come.
RB: Pablo Zabaleta (Manchester City, EPL)
Nationality: Argentina
Age: 28
The Argentine has been extremely authoritative on the Manchester City right flank, controlling the defense and attack as well. More importantly, he stepped up and took up responsibilities when the team needed him to. Quoted as an average player the season before, he has improved a lot to show his class and to shut up his critics.
CB: Neven Subotic (Borussia Dortmund, Bundesliga)
Nationality: Serbian
Age: 24
He has been one of the “heroes during the dark times” for Borussia Dortmund this season which went down as a trophy-less one. He has been rock solid at the back and he, along with his defensive partner Mats Hummels, looked impenetrable against the many lethal attacks throughout the season.
CB: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United, EPL)
Nationality: English
Age: 34
He played an important role in Manchester United’s 20th league title this season. As most other English players, he has been tactically brilliant and was the most technical defender in the Premier League for sure. His movement and marking made it hard for most of the opponents to find a way through to the box.
LB: Michal Kadlec (Bayer Leverkusen, Bundesliga)
Nationality: Czech
Age: 28
This Czech Republic leftback has had a good season after his Bayer Leverkusen team finished third in the Bundesliga. He played well for his club and also looked unfazed when expectations were high on his shoulders and gave a new look to the left flank of Bayer Leverkusen with the likes of young Andre Schurrle also playing in the left flank.