please merge if a thread like this is already started.... Best 11 players in the world who are not going to the World Cup in South Africa because their team did not qualify. By position. Understood that there are still some spots up for grabs, but even as it look more likely that Messi et al and Ronaldo will be going, there are already some players who we will miss at the World Cup: 1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic -- Striker -- Sweden / Barcalona (this was an easy one)
Plenty of quality players have already missed out, but realistically any first XI is going to have anywhere between 25%-50% players from teams that h0aven't been knocked out yet in UEFA's second round of qualifying (depending on upsets). Some shout-outs to quality players not yet mentioned who've missed out so far (by no means comprehensive): Petr Cech (Chelsea / Czech Republic) Marek Jankulovski (Milan / Czech Republic) Tomas Rosicky (Arsenal / Czech Republic) Emmanuel Adebayor (Manchester City / Togo) Freddie Kanoute (Sevilla / Mali) Seydou Keita (FCB / Mali) Niko Kranjcar (Tottenham / Croatia) Luka Modric (Tottenham / Croatia) Sami Hyyppia (Leverkusen / Finland) Morten Gamst Pederson (Blackburn / Norway) John Arne Riise (Roma / Norway) Brede Hangeland (Fulham / Norway) John Carew (Villa / Norway) Ivan Cordoba (Inter / Ecuador) Juan Manuel Pena (Celta Vigo / Bolivia)
i believe that this thread is about the best 11 not going to the WC. So Antonio Valencia does qualify in those terms, the question is whether he would make the best 11 not going
My bad I wouldn't go so far as to say he'd make a best 11 hands down but I do like him and rate him highly. In terms of South American right sided players, I think that in terms of talent Freddy Guarin from Colombia is as good if not as well known. Another South American that in terms of experience that could hold down that spot is Nolby Solano from Peru. The body parts don't work as good but still a fine player. I can't comment on Asian and Africa players so from there as well as Europe who has a shot at that position?
Out of the top of my head, and considering only 100% eliminated teams: --------------Adebayor (TOG)---Ibrahimovic (SWE)--------------- Keita (MAL)---Benayoun (ISR)--- M. Diarra (MAL)---Valencia (ECU) Vargas (PER)---Van Buyten (BEL)---Córdoba (COL)---Hutton (SCO) ---------------------------Cech (CZE)--------------------------- Bench: Eduardo (CRO), Berbatov (BUL), Altintop (TUR), Nekounam (IRA), Riise (NOR), Hyypiä (FIN), Boruc (POL).
------------ Cech -------------- ----- Cordoba --- Chivu -------- Srna -------------------- Vargas ------------ Sissoko ------------- ------- Mikel ------ Keita -------- -- Benayoun ----------- Mutu --- ----------- Ibrahimovic ---------- I'm pressuming Nigeria don't qualify, otherwise I'd probably put Kim Kallstrom in for Mikel.
So for the strikers, it looks to be that the top three are, in no particular order, Ibrahimovic, Adebayor, and Bebatov. Anyone want to make the case that there is a better striker than any of these?
Considering current form, I'd say Ade and Ibra are tops. A step below, Berba and Eduardo. This last one has returned from injury with a wish to make a point. Four goals and three assists in only about six games played (and six others as a last minute sub) in Arsenal. He's not completely back, but he's been an asset for Croatia since his return too: 3 goals in 4 games. As for other big name forwards failing to make it, remember we still have 6 CAF teams fighting for 3 places, plus 8 UEFA for 4, and two play-offs: in total, 9 more teams will be left out, and that will provide for more names. If you want to include names that are going to grow and you'll be hearing about a lot of in the coming years, make a note that Felipe Caicedo (Ecuador) is missing this cup, and just turned 21. Also, Rodolfo Zelaya (Salvador), who's about the same age and is already an impressive kid.
You could make a fair arguement for Kanoute aswell, although I personally wouldn't rate him as highly as those three.
I would, Kanoute has been a consistent scorer for years now. He's not at Ibra's level but he's certainly in the ball park of Berbatov and Adebayor. If we count the past 3 seasons Kanoute has been more prolific than either of them.
even though spain is qualified, can we include Raul in this theoritical discussion? his form the last 3 years has been stellar, yet he won't be going to south africa....
Neither will players like Riquelme or Cassano. Better to just stick to players who are resigned to not going due to their national team's results rather than selection process.
Since when has Ibra been on Adebayor's or Berbatov's level? He is nowhere are effective as the previous, who are much more consistent...
From 100% eliminated teams: ------------------------------ Petr Cech ------------------------------ - Darijo Srna -- Iván Córdoba -- Cristian Chivu -- Juan Vargas - --------------- Seydou Keita ------- Yossi Benayoun --------------- Luis Antonio Valencia ---------------------------------- Ryan Giggs ----------- Zlatan Ibrahimovic --- Emmanuel Adebayor ----------- Bench: Andreas Isaksson; Josip Simunic, Brede Hangeland, Olof Mellberg, Marek Jankulovski; Mohamed Sissoko, Darren Fletcher, Luka Modric, Tomás Rosicky; Dimitar Berbatov, Claudio Pizarro, Frédéric Kanouté.
Another players: Juan Arango (Venezuela) Giancarlo Maldonado (Venezuela) Joaquín Botero (Bolivia) Radamel Falcao (Colombia) Alexander Hleb (Belarus) Sami Hyypia (Finland)
If anyone does, please do it by position. Otherwise, we may get a ridiculous vote with 8 forwards and 3 mids.
12 players to complete a squad of 23 (in spite should be replaced any player for a third goalkeeper).