Football Fantasy XI: A Dream Team with a twist – Team 2
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 4-1-3-2 formation:
The Team make up is as follows:
3 EPL players
3 Bundesliga players
1 La Liga player
1 Süper Lig player
1 Serie A player
1 Ligue 1 player
1 Ukrainian League player
GK: Petr Cech (Chelsea, EPL)
Nationality: Czech
Age: 31
Petr Cech has had an amazing season, in which he has barely missed any of the 69 games played by Chelsea. His confirming presence in between the sticks has often masked his club’s and country’s frail defense. Even though Chelsea endured quite a disappointing season, Petr Cech was a joy to watch for footballing neutrals who have fallen in love with inch-perfect saves.
RB: Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk, Ukrainian Premier League)
Nationality: Croatian
Age: 31
Srna has established himself as one of the most consistent right-backs in European football. The captain of both club and country, Srna is packed with a wonderful crossing ability. This, coupled with blistering pace, is dangerous to any kind of opposition. Despite being a defender, he has picked up 12 assists – the highest in the Ukranian Premier League for last season.
CB: Raphael Varane (Real Madrid, La Liga)
Nationality: French
Age: 20
Rule satisfied: Under-20 player
Raphael Varane took the world by storm after putting in world-class performances for Real Madrid. He was arguably one the best center-backs in the Champions League this season. Moreover, his goal against Barcelona was the icing on the cake. His dominating presence at the back could even control Galatasaray’s Didier Drogba. Ever since breaking into the first team, many have regarded him as potentially one of the best center-backs for the future.
CB: Kyriakos Papadopoulos (Schalke 04, Bundesliga)
Nationality: Greek
Age: 21
After signing for Schalke in 2010, Kyriakos Papadopoulos has established himself as one of the best defenders in the league. Despite initiating a bidding war at the start of this season, he has recently signed a new contract and pledged his loyalty to the German club until 2016. His control of the ball combined with his towering build could scare the living daylights out of any striker.
LB: Leighton Baines (Everton, EPL )
Nationality: English
Age: 28
Being a Chelsea supporter, I would always put Ashley Cole over any currently active left-back as the best in the world. However if anyone comes close, then it has to be Baines. He was often regarded as a player with lot of untapped potential, and when he arrived at Everton he turned into one of the best the Premier League had ever seen. What makes him standout is his pace and incredible technique at set-pieces. He would easily walk into any team with that much talent.