Wednesday 4 June 2014

World Cup Ignored 11

Starting 11 of stars ignored by National Coaches


 Donovan    Tevez        Rossi

Nasri       Isco        Coutinho

Luis  Cole    Miranda     Carvajal
              Caballero

Willy Caballero:
How Alejandro Cabella has stuck with Sergi Romero again over Willy Caballero has thrown people a curve ball. After yet another superb season for Malaga in which he has bested the likes of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Caballero was again forgotten by Sabella when he named his 23 man squad. Caballero is a keeper many national team coaches would love to have, but it seems Alejandro Cabella has never felt this way for Willy Caballero. Never having had Cabella call him up to the national side, this was most likely his last chance.




Felepe Luis:
Beaten out by his opposite of the opposite team in the same city, Felepe Luis' position in the Brazil squad was taken by Real Madrid left back Marcelo. Both players featured in the Champions League final, but was a contrast of bitterweet between the two. Felepe Luis is a player of attacking flair and physical defending, and was a vital cog in the machine Diego Simeone built at Atletico Madrid. His speed and enthusiasm to get forward in the final third opened up many defences in La Liga, while his defensive attributes halted many attacks.


Ashley Cole:
Although falling down the pecking order in Mourinho's squad, Ashley Cole's few appearances such as the match against Atletico Madrid showed he is still a world class option, having an equal contribution in attack and defence. Snubbed by Roy Hodgson in favour of Everton talisman Leighton Baines and Southampton youngster Luke Shaw resulting in the veterans retirement, Ashley Cole's experience and class will not be easily replaced in the England national team.


Miranda:
One of the rocks at the back for Diego Simeone's amazing Atletico Madrid, Miranda lost his World Cup spot to Thiago Silva, David Luiz and Dante. A key figure at the back last season for Atletico, Miranda formed a solid partnership with Diego Godin in defence. A big, strong, physical presence, Miranda reads the game like a book, having made crucial tackles and interceptions throughout last season for the La Liga champions. Turning thirty later on in the year, this was most likely Miranda's last chance for a World Cup, but will have to watch from the stands in his native country.


Daniel Carvajal:
Looked to have been on course to being Spain's number one right back, Carvajal experienced the same pain Felepe Luis felt, losing his spot to rival across town in Juanfran. Having had a tremendous season back with Real Madrid, Carvajal gave his all last campaign. The 22 year olds performance in the Chmapions League final was industrious, running up and down the touchlines and making great recoveries. The main reason Vincente Del Bosque would have had to not take the right back is because of his inexperience when it comes to international football.


Samir Nasri:
One of the artists behind Manchester City's Sisteen Chapel that was last years campaign, Samir Nasri had a fantastic season. The Frenchman's creative pulse was revived under Manuel Pelegrenni, and his heartbeat flourished on the field as a result. Nasri was a catalyst to Mancheser City's Premier League challenge last season, creating 91 scoring chances, the most in his team. The Frenchman also struck up a nice partnership with David Silva, showing how he can be partnered with another creative midfielder. Didier Deschamps snubbed Nasri blaming the midfield maestro's attitude in previous tournaments, and Nasri expected this. How critical of a mistake this may be will be judged in Brazil as Matthiu Valbuena is set to take the playmaker role alone.

Isco:
Having started the season on fire, Isco's early season blaze soon extinguished as he fell to the bench for Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid. At the start of the season Isco was filling the void left by a particular German and was helping the Madrid fans forget the name Mesut. After performances where he left it all on the pitch, Isco started to not fit the new 4-3-3 system put forward by Ancelotti and fell down the ranks. With Spain having a star-studded midfield already, it was always going to be a challenge for the former under 21 European Champion with Spain.

Philippe Coutinho:
The star that was outshone by the bright Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, Philippe Coutinho had a brilliant season last campaign. The main spark of creativity in the final third for Liverpool, Coutinho was key to Brendan Rodger's side that punched far above their weight. Having improved in all areas vastly since the 2012-13 season, Coutinho's composure improved the most. The little Brazilian has become a menace to defences in the Premeir League, with lightning quick feet and a sixth sense to pick out a killer ball. Coutinho was snubbed by Luiz Felipe Scolari in favour of Chelsea's Oscar. Even though he was never a starter for Brazil, Coutinho would have added more depth and competition for the no. 10 role behind Fred in the Brazil team, but it looks Oscar is set to grace the position the whole of the tournament.

Landon Donovan:
Landon Donovans snub from Jurgen Klinsman took the media and himself by storm. Having played in the last three world cups and scoring 3 goals in South Africa, along with being a leader among the squad, Landon Donovan's position was thought of as guarenteed. The week in which he was snubbed was a rollercoaster one for Donovan, as he broke the MLS All time scoring record. The importance of Donovan on and off the field for the USMNT over the years was obvious, being their all-time top scorer with 57 goals, but how they will handle Brazil without the star forward will be fascinating.


Carlos Tevez:
Like Nasri, Carlos Tevez was overlooked by his respective manager because of personal problems. The Argentine also like his former Manchester City teammate didn't expect to be on the plane to Brazil, famously claiming he was going to take his family to Disneyland. Tevez has enjoyed a dream debut season for Juventus, having scored 21 goals in all competitions for the Old Lady. Alejandro Sabella has opted to go with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Rodrigo Palacio and Gonzalo Higuain over the Juventus hitman. Tevez would give a more physical approach over the four as the Argentine harasses defenders when not in possession and has the vision to pick out a teammate if not going for goal himself.

Giuseppe Rossi:
If Giuseppe Rossi was included in Italy's squad going to the World Cup it would have completed a Cinderella story. The Italy international heartbreakingly missed out on the last World Cup due to a broken leg when he was at Villareal, and will now experience the same tragedy of missing out. Having a relapse in his long term knee ligament injury which plagued him at Villareal, Rossi missed out on four months of the season. When he came back against Sassuolo in May he returned to haunting defences and scored off the bench. Having been left out for the likes of Antonio Cassano, Lorenzo Insigne, Alessio Cerci and Ciro Immobile, Prandelli will regret not selecting Fiorentina's figurehead who scored 16 goals in 21 games. Although not fully fit, Rossi would have been a great option for Italy, as with no risk there is no reward.



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