UEFA Champions League: Selecting an All-Star XI from the Semis
Selecting an All-Star XI is always subjective, and as the cliché beauty is in the eye of the beholder goes; what I see in a footballer may differ from what you see.
Nonetheless, I've been tasked with selecting All-Star XI from Barcelona, Manchester United, Real Madrid and Schalke; the four Champions League semi-finalists.
I've decided to go with a realistic 4-3-3 formation emphasising fluidity and teamwork, rather than an unrealistic 2-3-5 formation emphasising the most talented players available.
Goalkeeper: Edwin Van Der Sar
1 of 11A goalkeeper must be reliable and mentally stable. Fabien Barthez was unreliable for Manchester United, whilst Jorge Campos spent more time figuring out how to score his next goal, then being a goalkeeper.
Aside from gifting a goal to José Antonio Reyes, and allowing Somen Tchoyi to make a name for himself; Edwin Van Der Sar year in, year out; has been a model professional and one of the most reliable goalkeepers of the past two decades.
Amidst the pressure of a penalty shoot out in the Champions League final, when Manchester United needed him the most; he foiled Nicolas Anelka's shot from 11 metres out to win the Champions League.
Other candidates
Iker Casillas: People often forget there was a period in his career, where he made mistake after mistake after mistake.
Though since then, he has become Real Madrid's most reliable figure during their lull and Barcelona's reemergence. At just 29 years of age, he has won everything there is to win.
Víctor Valdés: Even though he pulls off some extraordinary saves, just because he plays for Barcelona, doesn't mean he is a world class goalkeeper. Like his counterpart José Manuel Pinto, there are shades of René Higuita in Valdés.
Whether it's charging out from his goal area to trigger a fracas, or doing his best impression of Harald Schumacher; Valdés makes some of the dafest decisions a goalkeeper can make.
What covers Valdés from the same scrutiny Manuel Almunia receives, are his Barcelona teammates who form the most dominant team of the decade. Their dominance have forced opposing teams to defend rather than attack, therefore giving Valdés three symbolic Ricardo Zamora Trophies.
Manuel Neuer: Yes he is German, no he is no Oliver Kahn. Neuer is so overrated, tell me how can a supposedly "world class" goalkeeper can let in a goal from 67 metres out? What about when Dejan Stanković scored a FIFA 11 like goal?
Neuer's childhood hero was Jens Lehmann, which is fitting given that like Lehmann, Neur makes some great saves but has some crazily embarrassing moments.
Right Back: Sergio Ramos
2 of 11Modern day full backs must be able to defend, yet also attack. This insistence on full backs being given attacking duties, has created the term "wing back".
Sergio Ramos is physically gifted, technically solid, brave and quick. Yet even with these assets, seasons gone by specifically pre-José Mourinho era, Ramos would constantly be away on leave, when it came to defending.
Not defending is already an issue, but then picking up hoards of yellow cards and the inevitable red cards; Ramos became a liability.
At just 25 years of age, he has already accumulated 101 yellow cards and 12 red cards.
Though under Mourinho, Ramos has become a solid defender, and was so integral to Spain's 2010 FIFA World Cup success.
An area Ramos needs to improve is his temperament. Cut down on the pointless yellow cards, and avoid el loco moments.
Other candidates
Daniel Alves: Did you know he has provided 10 or more assists for seven seasons running? That itself should explain his playing style.
He's constantly marauding into the attacking half looking to create a goal. Not only does he reinforce Barcelona's playing philosophy, but he illustrates how important a wing back can become.
His productivity is astounding, 28 goals and 122 assists in seven seasons, but what the statistics do not tell you, are the amount of times he is caught out of position.
Rafael: Agile, technically gifted and ridiculously robust – sometimes too robust for his own good. There is so much upside to his game that you wonder if Fluminense regret selling him too early (and his twin brother, Fabio) to Manchester United.
Though at only 20 years of age, there are some red flags that Sir Alex Ferguson has to address. Rafael is always living on the edge, whether it's going in with a "Paul Scholes" like tackle on Lucas, or naively getting himself sent off against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals; Rafael needs to exercise more control in his play.
Atsuto Uchida: During his time at Kashima Antlers, he was a energetic wing back raiding past opposing full backs. Though at Schalke, he has become more defensive minded and as a result, he has since secured a starting position at Schalke. He'll look to make right back his own, just like his predecessor Rafinha.
Centre Back: Carles Puyol
3 of 11A centre back must be a competent defender, preferably the best defender in the team. Titus Bramble during his career has consistently displayed incompetency.
Courageous, loyal, resilient; these are just some of the Tarzan like qualities that Carles Puyol possesses. He started his career at right back, tending to wingers like Denilson, but has since found his niche at centre back.
"When Hercules beat Barcelona 2-0, Puyol wasn't in the starting lineup. When Arsenal beat Barcelona 2-1, Puyol wasn't in the starting lineup. When Real Madrid beat Barcelona 1-0 to win the Copa del Rey, Puyol wasn't in the starting lineup.
"
Puyol has become the heart and soul of the Barcelona defence, just like Migueli was decades earlier.
Other candidates
Ricardo Carvalho: Only when Chelsea replaced him with €25 million valued David Luiz, did Chelsea's issues at centre back cease.
Rio Ferdinand: He exudes calmness on the pitch which is depicted by his clean interceptions (has not received a yellow card since the 14th of March 2009). Though over the years, injuries specifcally to the back have taken its toll.
Christoph Metzelder: Standing at 1.94m, he's strong aerially, however has to rely on positional awareness to compensate for his nonexistent pace.
After three injury-hit seasons at Madrid, he has managed to string consecutive games for Schalke. Though hot on his heels is 19 year old Kyriakos Papadopoulos.
Centre Back: Nemanja Vidić
4 of 11Just like when Sir Alex Ferguson signed Jaap Stam from PSV Eindhoven, signing Nemanja Vidić from Spartak Moscow, was a shrewd deal.
There once was a time, where Fernando Torres use to torment Vidić, forcing him be dismissed three consecutive times.
Though those times seem long gone as his aggressive blunt forced style of defending has allowed him to develop into one of the world's best centre backs.
Other candidates
Gerard Piqué: A footballer whose majestic playing style makes the game look so easy. Christopher Samba is thrown up forward because of his immense presence, whereas Piqué is thrown up forward because of his immaculate skill.
If Ferguson hadn't signed Vidić, perhaps Manchester United would have held Barcelona to ransom, just like Arsène Wenger will with Barcelona, for Cesc Fàbregas this summer.
Though Barcelona were able to buy back Piqué, a player they had produced, for only £5 million (consider the fact that Chelsea bought David Luiz for €25 million).
Piqué is not only winning on the pitch, but also off the pitch.
Benedikt Höwedes: There are some uncanny similarities with Ajax's Jan Vertonghen, or be it with less goals. Like Vertonghen, Höwedes is a tall, young, technically solid footballer whose versatility is an added bonus.
Raúl Albiol: An uncompromising defender, who fits within José Mourinho's philosophy, however has failed to cement a starting position.
Left Back: Éric Abidal
5 of 11Éric Abidal may not fly down the left flank like Ashley Cole, but what you get from Abidal is consistency and solid defending. It's a bonus that he can also play at centre back.
His biggest hurdle now, is to reclaim a starting position having undergone successful surgery to remove a liver tumour.
At 31 years of age, his time at Barcelona may be up, just like it was for Gianluca Zambrotta at 31 years of age, Giovanni van Bronckhorst at 32 years of age and Juliano Belletti at 31 years of age.
Other candidates
Marcelo: For a player who constantly pierces opposing defences with his pace and samba like feet, on wonders why he doesn't play in a more forward position.
His defending leaves a lot to be desired, because he is constantly missing in action. Though under José Mourinho, Marcelo's defending has tightened up.
Patrice Evra: Not a lot has gone right for him since the 2010 FIFA World Cup has it?
His defending has deteriorated to the point where not only is he being caught out of position, but he is committing foul after foul after foul. For example against Bolton, he committed six fouls yet didn't get booked.
His attacking contributions haven't been good either, so far only a goal and two assists. With Fabio waiting in the wings, Evra's time may be up.
Lukas Schmitz: At just 22 years of age, his work ethic, and solid wing play has solidified a starting position for Schalke.
Defensive Midfielder: Pepe
6 of 11El Clásico Pepe brings dynamic defending to a whole new level, charging crazily at the Barcelona players forcing countless turnovers. Without doubt, he's been the key in Real Madrid successfully implementing its catenaccio like strategy in El Clásico II and III.
What's interesting is that he's become a better defensive midfielder than centre back, why not keep Pepe as a defensive midfielder? The other problem is can Pepe play this hi-tempo game week in, week out?
When centre back Raúl Albiol was sent off in El Clásico II, such was Pepe's dominace in midfield, José Mourinho kept him there.
With Ricardo Carvalho suspended, it could be a costly mistake for Mourinho to drop Pepe into centre back.
Other candidates
Park Ji-Sung: If there was an Oxford dictionary for football, under the definition of team work, would be a picture of Park.
Can play anywhere in midfield and even though he may not directly influence the game like Lionel Messi, what you can expect is hard work off the ball.
It's also a bonus that he has scored winning goals against Arsenal and Chelsea this season.
Sergio Busquets: He's not a defensive midfielder, because he can't defend, so if he can't defend, how can he be called a defensive midfielder? Calling him a holding midfielder would be more appropriate.
Nonetheless, an elegant passer, but his diving (cheating to be blunt) are tarnishing his reputation.
Joël Matip: Can play at left back, centre back, left midfield; but has played well as a defensive midfielder.
Centre Midfielder: Xabi Alonso
7 of 11Xabi Alonso is a beautiful passer of the ball, perhaps only second to Xavi, when it comes to effortlessly lofting 50-60 metre passes to a designated teammate.
Though unlike Xavi, Alonso is more agricultural when it comes to tackling in the midfield. He's become an integral part of José Mourinho's defensive midfield triumvirate.
Other candidates
Xavi: Not only the best passer, but the most graceful passer in the world.
Darren Fletcher: A combatative midfielder whose hard yards allow Manchester United forwards to prosper.
Has improved his attacking input with three goals and eight assists this season.
Sami Khedira: It's a shame that he is fulfilling the "Claude Makélélé" role under Mourinho's system, because you don't see those lung bursting box to box runs anymore. That being said, Khedira has worked extremely hard for the team.
Paul Scholes: A great passer with a lethal long range shot, however has an incompetent tackler during his career, at times bordering on dangerous tackler.
Anderson: Was a creative midfielder during his time at Gremio and Porto, yet has been converted into a box to box midfielder. Whilst he shows good hustle and provides glimpses of promise, two goals and 14 assists in 123 games is a very poor return rate.
Compare this to John O'Shea, who during the same period of time, has scored six goals and provided nine assists in 100 games.
Bearing this in mind, €30 million for Anderson, seems disproportionate to what he offers Manchester United.
Attacking Midfielder: Andrés Iniesta
8 of 11A brilliant technician whose incisive runs go hand in hand with his exceptional passing. His combination with Xavi has to rank as one of the best midfield combinations of the past decade.
Other candidates
Mesut Özil: He's demonstrated to the world his creativity, his skill and dribbling ability, all whilst doing it in a languid style.
His 10 goals and 18 assists at just €15 million is not only impressive, but economically efficient.
Kaká: Injuries have so far derailed the £56 million signing, yet he's still scored 15 goals and provided 12 assists in 48 games.
This season, Kaká has scored six goals and provided four assists in 15 games; very efficient.
Though he was injured for El Clásico I, and deemed surplus for El Clásico II and III; so it remains to be seen if José Mourinho will use Kaká for El Clásico IV and V.
Right Forward: Lionel Messi
9 of 11Lionel Messi, the greatest player on the planet. His dribbling is magical, his passing vision is exemplary, his strength on the ball is remarkable for someone who only weighs 67kg.
50 goals and 23 assists in 49 games...unbelievable!
Yet whilst he will never blitz pass defenders like Ronaldo did 15 years ago, it's a pleasure to watch Messi play.
One can only hope that unlike Ronaldo, Messi remains injury free. Even though Ronaldo bounced back from career debilitating injuries, one always wonder how his career would have panned out if he wasn't ravaged by injuries.
Other candidates
Antonio Valencia: What's obvious when you watch him play, is his work ethic. When he doesn't have the ball, he's constantly tracking back. Is an old fashioned winger, will beat his man, and deliver in a cross.
Sir Alex Ferguson should be thanking his former player Steve Bruce, for taking a calculated risk on signing Villarreal reject Valencia.
Jefferson Farfán: A muscular forward whose eye for goal should not be underestimated. Scored 71 goals in 163 games during his time at PSV Eindhoven.
Centre Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo
10 of 11Cristiano Ronaldo is second only to Lionel Messi when it comes to efficiency.
He is a complete forward as he has pace, he's an aerial threat, he is a threat from set pieces, he can make incisive runs into the penalty box, he scores and creates.
Though standing at 1.86m tall and weighing 85kg, there is no need for him to fall down so easily.
Why does he need to constantly dive? Messi dived frequently when he was younger, but now he's standing toe to toe with defenders who are 10-20cms taller and 10-30kg heavier.
Blessed with supermodel looks, Ronaldo has become one of the most marketable products since David Beckham.
Other candidates
Dimitar Berbatov: A classy footballer, whose lack of pace, inability to track back, and slow tempo play has resulted in not being played in the big games.
Still has scored 22 goals and provided four assists in 38 games.
Raúl: Has enjoyed a renaissance of sorts in Germany, having spent his final season looking from outer.
Left Forward: Wayne Rooney
11 of 11Wayne Rooney encapsulates what you want in a footballer; can attack, can defend, works hard and is a team player.
Over the years Rooney has demonstrated he is willing to sacrifice for the team, when he was played as left midfielder.
His vision and the way he just lofts 30-50 metres passes with ease, is odd to see from a forward. He could succeed as attacking midfielder, though his 2009/2010 season indicated it's probably best that he be played up front.
Other candidates
Pedro: His emergence has resulted in Bojan Krkić's decline. What Pedro offers is goals, and tracking back when he doesn't have the ball.
These two areas are something Pedro is significantly better than Bojan therefore putting Bojan in an unfortunate situation as to what to do next with his career.
Ángel di María: A terrific player, who not only provides vision and incisive runs into opposing goal areas, but is one of the hardest working players in the game.
The only downside to his game, is his constant need to dive.
