The 2014 World Cup has been noted as the one with most stars missing. The 23 man list of each World Cup bound team has already been submitted. At touchlineui, we bring you our own 23 man list of players that will not be at the world cup even though their teams will be at the mundial. And out of this list, we shall also bring out a possible starting 11. Read, enjoy and share your views…
Diego Lopez (Spain)
Real Madrid’s first choice goalkeeper for the La Liga was overlooked by Del Bosque. We believe this is not down to his quality though, as it is obvious he is a top goalkeeper, but his absence could be a result of too much talent in the Spanish national team. His teammate, Iker Casillas, will likely captain the side while Reina and De Gea will serve as backup. De Gea must have been selected in order to gain experience for future competitions.
Gael Clichy (France)
Capped 20 times by France, the City left back looks to have missed the showpiece at Evra’s expense. Nevertheless, his exclusion is surprising as he has been an important player for the Man.City side that did the double. Expressed his disappointment by saying: “It’s life and if it’s my only bad luck then ii am happy because my family are healthy. Of course I am sad, it is a big tournament you don’t want to miss, but I will be fresh for next year, so that is good.”- Daily Mirror
Ashley Cole (England)
It has been a difficult year for Ash. First he lost to Azpilicueta and now he lost to Baines. However, his exclusion was not a matter of if but when.
Fabricio Coloccini (Argentina)
He featured for his country at the 2006 World Cup and has won silverware with the nation at the 2004 Olympic Games. He even featured in their game over Paraguay last year in which they sealed qualification for the Big tournament.
Leiva Lucas (Brazil)
A quality midfielder who can read the game and break down opposition attacks. Was solid for the Liverpool team that almost did the unthinkable. Scolari must have considered him surplus to requirements as Brazil can boast of a depth of talent that other nations would just envy.
Montolivo (Italy),
Van Der Vaart (Netherlands)
Strootman (Netherlands)
They were not dropped but they dropped nonetheless.
Their’s something I call – the act of the gods. Their various teams will sorely miss them. Quality midfielders and versatile as well, even the World Cup would miss them.
We at touchline will miss them as well.
Philippe Coutinho (Brazil)
Greatly instrumental to the Red’s season, scoring 5 and assisting 7 times in 33 games, the Liverpool playmaker obviously failed to impress Scolari. He has Willian, Oscar and their likes to blame though. Coutinho is a promising talent and still has a lot of years to break into the Brazil squad.
Samir Nasri (France)
Another surprise exclusion by Deschamps. His girlfriend was so disappointed that she lashed out at Deschamps on twitter. A really big miss considering what he would have added to the national side but it is believed that Deschamps must have been considering what Nasri would subtract not add to this national team. A very good player no doubt but his discipline and temper have cost him. Deschamps had this to say: “Samir is an important player for Manchester City but he has not performed that well with France. He is a starter at City, which is not the case with France and he has made clear that he is not happy when he is not (a starter), and I can tell you it can be felt in the squad. I built the best squad, I did not pick the 23 best French players.”
Kaka (Brazil)
The perfect playmaker for Brazil for so many years, Kaka could not even make the preliminary squad. It was about time though as he has appeared in all of the World Cup tournament since 2002.
Ronaldinho (Brazil)
Well, what is there to say? Time up Ronnie! But Brazil will miss your experience no doubt!
Jesus Navas (Spain)
The more popular Jesus had already said that a prophet is not appreciated in his town. One can say this about Navas as well. He was not found worthy to represent the defending champions. And that is a pity considering his splendid season with Man.City in which he scored 4 times and had 7 assists in 30 premier league games. There is doubt if his absence would be felt though.
Francisco Roman Alarcon Suarez aka Isco (Spain)
With just 23 starts for Real Madrid last season and most of them in unfamiliar positions, Isco’s fortune may not come as a surprise to many. But considering his technical prowess and playmaking abilities plus lack of form of players like Fabregas, Pedro, Cazorla and Mata, we are amazed that he did not even make the 30 man preliminary squad. Isco’s exclusion is a surprise and, quite possibly, the biggest mistake. Time will tell.
Franck Ribery (France)
One of the best wingers in the world, Ribery is out with a back injury. He has been capped 81 times for France, and scored 14 goals for Bayern Munich in all competitions this past season. He is arguably the biggest miss at the World Cup.
Marco Reus(Germany)
Team Germany took a big hit Saturday with Reus suffering a partially torn ligament in his left ankle. Reus, after scoring 16 goals and 13 assists during the Bundesliga campaign for Borussia Dortmund, would have been a huge asset for Germany in Brazil. Germany has plenty of depth in the attacking band, but his versatility and playmaking ability cannot be overlooked. Mesut Ozil, Toni Kroos and Mario Gotze will have to pick up. Marco Reus, went down with an ankle injury that will sideline him and end his hopes of playing in Brazil.
Reus was injured in a friendly against Armenia in which the Germans won 6-1. Reus had 5 goals and 3 assists for Germany in the UEFA World Cup qualifiers.
Alvaro Negredo (Spain)
An international record of 10 goals in 21 caps should not have been easy to overlook, although overlooking it would have been made easy with Costa’s identity change and Negredo’s uninspiring form towards the end of the season.
Mario Gomez (Germany)
At 33, Gomez was a long shot especially after playing only nine league games for Fiorentina in the regular season and scoring only three goals.
Giuseppe Rossi (Italy)
After 4 months of injury, Rossi was always in a race to get fit and convince Prandelli. Obviously, he couldn’t. A pity.
Landon Donovan (U.S.A)
“I was one of the better players in camp” – Donovan. There was no controversy regarding his appearance at the World Cup. In fact there was no debate about his inclusion in the starting 11. But lo and behold, the vastly experienced American will not be in Brazil. There is nothing Klinsmann can say to justify Donovan’s exclusion. It is not just about his ability on the pitch, which is superb no doubt, but Donovan’s experience and presence will always serve as a morale booster in any football team’s dressing room. As Nigerian students will say, Klinsmann was just ‘beefing’. A 3-time World Cup veteran, the 32-year-old is the U.S. national team’s all time leader with 57 goals and 58 assists. We believe that this is a consequence of his nearly four-month sabbatical from soccer, missing 3 World Cup qualifiers.
Fernando Llorente (Spain)
Another missing star is Llorente, who scored over a dozen goals in all competitions for Juventus. He must be regretting he came from Spain.
Carlos Tevez (Argentina)
He must have been dropped due to his volatile nature. Tevez’ disciplinary problems are well known and though his talents are undisputed, Argentina can still do without Him.
Radamel Falcao (Colombia)
The star striker was included in the 30-man preliminary squad, but the torn Achilles injury he suffered in January will keep him home for the World Cup. He’s one of the most prolific attackers in the world, scoring 70 goals in two years for Atletico Madrid before moving to Monaco and scoring 11 more.
There was hope that Falcao could be fit in time for the World Cup, but that won’t be the case. Colombia has lost a top goal scorer and will need someone to step up and fill the big shoes left by Falcao, as they face Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan in Brazil.
Starting 11: 3-4-3
The formation has been adapted to the available personnel. We did not choose the best 11 players but we chose the best eleven-man team. Now we sound like Deschamps!
Diego Lopez (goalkeeper)
Quite obvious, the only stopper in our 23-man squad
Ashley Cole (left centreback)
Beats Clichy to it. Although not a really familiar position, we believe he will perform better than Clichy. In this formation, while the team is with the ball, he can go wide left.
Coloccini (centre back)
The rock of the defence. Surely he is comfortable with this.
Lucas Leiva (right centre back)
Not his conventional position but his only chance of getting into this team. He can also move to right back while the team attacks.
Ricardo Montolivo (defensive midfielder)
Plays as the anchor man in this team. Drops to support Coloccini while the team attacks but remains in central midfield while it defends.
Van Der Vaart (central midfielder)
Plays as an advanced central midfielder here. He still has defensive responsibilities though, as he is expected to track wide when the team is without the ball but moves forward while the team attacks.
Kevin Strootman (central midfielder)
Pairs with Van Der Vaart in the middle of the park. He is the less advanced of the 2, drifting wide right while defending but remaining in central midfield with Montolivo while attacking.
Landon Donovan (attacking midfielder)
Drops back to midfield while the team defends but is expected to support Falcao while the team attacks. He has a free role to play as he can drift into wide positions or even the no.9 position as the match dictates. He is also the playmaker and is expected to link the defence and attack.
Marco Reus (left wing forward)
Beats Isco to the starting 11 due to his prolific form. He serves as an outlet on the left and is allowed to cut in to the right while with the ball. He is expected to track back as well and be an outlet for counter attacks.
Franck Ribery (right wing forward)
He has the same duties as Reus.
Falcao (striker)
He is expected to be Falcao i.e. score goals. His ability in the air should also come to the fore as crosses come in from the flanks. He is expected to play as the target man, holding up play with his strength and playing in his teammates.
Penalty Kick Taker: Falcao
Free Kick Taker: Van Der Vaart
Corner Kick Taker: Ribery
Captain: Van Der Vaart
Throw-in taker: Nearest man.
Who do you think will be most missed?
Will these missing players take the shine off the World Cup?
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