French International Samir Nasri’s poor reputation made his omission a no-brainer for the French national team. It’s a tragedy considering how he could’ve complimented Franck Ribery at the opposite wing. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
International soccer fans have decried the absence of several key players from the provisional squad of their beloved national teams. The Brazilians have debated whether Philippe Coutinho or Lucas Leiva should’ve been selected instead of Fernandinho, while the most Americans are split on the issue of Eddie Johnson. Drew Thompson and I have compiled the 23-man list of notable players and hidden talents who should have been called to represent their respective country.
Young’s List:
Goalkeepers
Mark Schwarzer (Australia) – Despite being 40 years of age, Schwarzer did a decent job filling in for Petr Cech at Chelsea. His reflexes are not what they used to be, but his experience and ability to read the offense is enough to give Australia confidence at the back post.
Stephane Ruffier (France) – I could’ve sworn this guy has beast-like reflexes. Compared to the second-choice keeper, Steve Mandanda, and the third-choice, Mickael Landreau, Ruffier boasted a 19.15% saved penalty percentage. That definitely tops Mandanda (12.50%) and Landreau (17.74%).
Idriss Carlos-Kameni (Cameroon) – The two-time African goalkeeper of the year should have been considered as a second or third option despite rarely featuring for Malaga this season.
Defense
John Heitinga (Netherland) – John Heitinga is not what he was back in 2010, but his experience would be useful for the extremely young backline. If he were to play, I think he would’ve brought composure and took the pressure off the young Dutch defenders.
Hajime Hosogai (Japan) – He shouldn’t have been omitted for a variety of reasons. He had a great season with Hertha Berlin and he would’ve been valuable insurance for the fullbacks and key defensive midfielder, Makoto Hasebe.
John Terry (center) would have been an obvious choice for England at center-back. His omission was quite puzzling despite having a spectacular season. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports
John Terry (England) – I don’t think this needs an explanation. He can play alongside Gary Cahill and is clearly a better player than Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.
Fabricio Coloccini (Argentina) – They brought on Hugo Campagnaro who is 34 years old and only featured for Argentina 13 times, but they didn’t bring in Coloccini who is two years younger and has a lot more experience? This decision will bit Argentina in the rear end.
Gael Clichy (France) – As a Manchester United fan, I honestly have to say he was more deserving of a fullback spot on the squad than Patrice Evra.
Kieran Gibbs (England) – Although Luke Shaw is a talented player, I feel bad that Kieran Gibbs had to pay the price. Gibbs is a more physical and refined left back than Shaw and has a game more suited for the world stage.
Steven Caulker (England) – Tall, athletic, and currently sought after by Liverpool, Steven Caulker is also another guy who was more deserving of a spot on the squad than Chris Smalling.
Midfielders
Samir Nasri (France) – French soccer fans should be happy that he is omitted despite his talent. Samir Nasri is a terrible human being and a locker room cancer, but what if he wasn’t a jerk. Imagine how much better France could have been if Nasri was a decent person.
Lucas Leiva (Brazil) – I don’t doubt that Luis Gustavo is deserving of a starting spot, but Lucas Leiva should’ve been considered as a key bench player in case Gustavo gets hurt during the tournament. Leiva had a solid season for Liverpool this year.
Isco (Spain) – It wouldn’t hurt to put this young man on the roster and expose him to the big tournament. Although Isco will only come on the field for 15 minutes to help Cesc Fabregas rest, some minor playing time in this tournament would mentally prepare him for the 2016 Euros and 2018 World Cup.
Jean Jacques-Gosso (Ivory Coast) – When I was in Ankara, Turkey this past year, I glimpsed a couple matches from the local team, Genclerbirligi. I noticed this one African player with short dreadlocks carry the Ankara-based club on the defensive end and push the ball forward by himself. I thought he was one of the hardest working center midfielders in the Turkish Superlig and someone most deserving of admiration. That man was Jean Jacques-Gosso.
Javier Pastore (Argentina) – Pastore is one of the few players where you have to stop everything you’re doing whenever he has the ball in the attacking half. Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have taken the spotlight in PSG, but Javier Pastore was the reason why the ball moved towards his direction.
Brad Davis (USA) – If only there was rule where you can bring a player in to deliver a free kick and sit him back on the bench after the next dead ball. USA would have solved all their problems with set pieces.
Javier Aquino (Mexico) – He is the Europe-based, speedy, and technically gifted winger Mexico neglected to include. Head coach Miguel Herrera’s strong adherence to his tactics will backfire severely.
Lee Myung-Joo would have provided much needed insurance behind Ki Seung-Yong in case Ki’s right knee doesn’t hold up. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Lee Myung Joo (South Korea) – I really don’t like the idea that Korea is relying on Ki Seung Yong to do all the playmaking, especially since he’s recovering from tendonitis in his right knee. Lee Myung Joo has been playing splendidly in the K-League Classic and looks prime for a move to Europe soon. He would’ve been a good back up for the star playmaker.
Strikers:
Carlos Vela (Mexico) – He could’ve been the ideal partner up top with Chicharito, but instead Mexico has to rely on Oribe Peralta. It’s a darn shame that he’s still holding a grudge against the Mexican Football Federation.
Eddie Johnson (USA) – He may be terrible at getting position and disappears for a good majority of the match, but Eddie Johnson would’ve been the ideal late game substitute for USA in crucial matches due to his speed and athleticism. Johnson’s explosive energy definitely keeps the defense on their toes, especially when he comes in the 75th minute with a fresh set of legs.
Carlos Tevez (Argentina) – He’s past his prime and doesn’t seem to play well alongside Messi, Angel Di Maria, Kun Aguero and Higuain, but he has a key tool those other forwards lack; a dangerous long range shot. Imagine Argentina losing stamina in the final minutes and desperately needing a game-ending strike. Tevez could come in and blast one from 20 meters.
Innocent Emaghara (Switzerland) – Two reasons why he should be playing for Switzerland. 1. He has an awesome name. 2. His fast don’t lie.
Stephan El Shaarawy (Italy) – Sure he’s been slow to get back into form after suffering that injury, but wouldn’t training camp have done wonders to get him reacquainted with the team? Well, I guess he can put his focus on saving the world from aliens.
Drew’s List
Goalkeepers:
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Germany) – Personally I thought it was a typo when the Barcelona bound keeper was not included in Germany’s provisional squad, preferred to Ron-Robert Zieler. Touted as one of the best if not the best young keeper in Germany over the last few years, Barca saw it fit to sign him for a reason. While he was never going to start over Manuel Neuer, you’d at least have to take him over the 33-year old Roman Weidenfeller.
John Ruddy (England) – Though he plies his trade at Norwich City in the EPL, Ruddy is nearing the prime years of his career, and it shows. Despite being shelled every weekend, Ruddy still managed 12 clean-sheets, rather impressive given what he had to work with. Had it not have been for the absolute stellar record of Frasier Forster both domestically and in Champions League for Celtic, Ruddy would have surely gone.
Diego Lopez (Spain) – He ousted the great Iker Casillas for the starting job at Real Madrid, and yet somehow he did not make the cut for Spain – in a word, baffling. And even if Casillas should go (which he should, and he did), you would imagine that he would be preferred ahead of Pepe Reina. Lopez would have brought with him a far better understanding of the players in front of him than Reina – he also could have paired with Casillas to mentor David De Gea, who is undoubtedly the next number 1.
Defenders:
Sebastian Jung (Germany) – At the top of the list when it comes to the best young defensive talent at full-back for Germany, and constantly being linked with a move to Arsenal, you’d just think Jung would be in. Joachim Low instead opted to take only three true fullbacks, with left-winger Kevin Grosskreutz being the back up right-back to Philipp Lahm – ouch. The chance to study under the best right-back in the world at a World Cup should have been a no brainer.
Gregory van der Wiel (the Netherands) – He was the starting right-back for Holland’s run in to the World Cup final in 2010 – now he’s not even in the squad. Both Daryl Janmaat and Paul Verhaegh (wait…what? why?) were preferred over the PSG man who has 37 caps on his resume. With the Dutch taking a massively inexperienced back-line to the tournament, they may very well miss out with this omission.
Fabricio Coloccini (Argentina) – He has the most caps out of any available defender, and he was the only bright spot in a Newcastle back-four this past season that more closely resembled a Chicago Police car after Al Capone’s men were through with it. When you look at the center-backs Argentina selected, the list begins and ends with Ezequiel Garay – after that, there is not much else. Considering defense is their biggest weakness, this was a mistake.
John Heitinga (the Netherlands) – As stated before when discussing Gregory van der Wiel, the Dutch back-line is screaming out for experience. Granted, the theory of using the entire Feyenoord defense this summer could prove useful due to their already existing cohesion, but that still does not take away from the fact that only one defender that has been selected has more than 20 caps, while only three have more than 10. Heitinga has 87 and has a wealth of experience – must any more be said?
Miranda (Brazil) – Currently with Atletico Madrid, he is at the center of one of the best defensive clubs in Europe and is about to play in a Champions League final. Beyond that, he is within a hair’s breath of helping Atletico beat both Real and Barcelona to the La Liga title. One of the most complete center-backs in the world right no, yet Luiz Scolari opted for Napoli’s Henrique instead.
Inigo Martinez (Spain) – Young, athletic and already with Champions League experience, Martinez missed out on the perfect chance to become a pupil of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique during a major tournament – why? Because Vicente Del Bosque chose Javi Martinez for the fourth center-back slot. The problem? He’s actually a midfielder who just occasionally can play center-back…yeah let’s move on shall we…
Ashley Cole would have brought a welcome veteran presence in the backline. Unfortunately his omission from the World Cup squad led to his decision to retire from the England National Team. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Ashley Cole (England) – The reasons behind Cole not being selected are actually rather sound. England are trying to phase in their budding crop of young footballers, so that meant that Luke Shaw was selected over Cole. Though in the World Cup, Cole’s experience would have been immeasurable – over 100 caps and not only able to stake claim that he is arguably the greatest left-back England has ever had, but that he has been the greatest in the world.
Felipe Luis (Brazil) – Maxwell was preferred over this man…Maxwell. While Maxwell is not a poor player necessarily, he plays for PSG and when it comes to domestic affairs, no one can hold a candle. They were however ruthlessly exposed in Champions League, and Maxwell was part of that problem. Filipe Luis on the other hand? Plays in the same back-four for Atletico with Miranda. Case closed.
Midfielders:
Sven Bender (Germany) – I understand the importance of Sami Khedira to the German national team, but you have to ask yourself that if it was wise to choose him based off not only just coming back from an injury, but not having much of a season at all due to it. Bender too dealt with an injury, but was able to enjoy twice the time on the pitch that Khedira was afforded. I cannot help but wonder however, that the fact that Ilkay Gundogan is missing out on this tournament, if that is why Bender was not selected – he would have no one in central midfield that he has cohesion with at club level.
Geoffrey Kondogbia (France) – This one actually somewhat made me angry. Even though Morgan Schneiderlin and Maxime Gonalons are on standby, Kondogbia surely would have been on that same list if two midfielders who have no business being in the 23-man squad for France were not – Moussa Sissoko and Rio Mavuba. Sissoko, quite poor at club level, truthfully is only included as he scored to put France into the World Cup, while Mavuba, I just have no idea why. Kondogbia is very similar to Pogba, and that can never be a bad thing when you consider how much steel and grit France would be able to call upon.
Timmy Simons (Belgium) – Belgium are currently on the brink of having their second golden generation break out in full force come this summer, but you just have to ask yourself if ex-captain Simons should have been included as that father figure. Further than that, questions must always be asked of Steven Defour – so highly touted at Standard Liege, he has been notoriously inconsistent at FC Porto and often times is more a risk to get carded than to be influential on proceedings. Simons’ calm nature as a player would have done some good for the Red Devils.
Romaric (Ivory Coast) – Cheick Tiote had a horror season for Newcastle (who didn’t really), Serey Die plays for Basel and Ismael Diomande has never been capped – why oh why was Romaric not included? This is arguably the best team the Ivory Coast has ever selected and they have a real chance to finally make the knock-out stage of the World Cup, so I truly feel Romaric’s added experience would have been necessary. The fact that he is fantastic on set-pieces is an excellent bonus, but then again, there’s no way Yaya Toure would defer that role.
Hajime Hosogai (Japan) – The Japanese have a very difficult group awaiting them in Brazil. While the team they have selected is not a bad one, and it does boast quite a bit of technical skill in it, they could have done with more European based players – this is where Hosogai comes in. There is only one Japanese midfielder on the books in Europe, and that is Makoto Hasebe. With no disrespect intended, matches against Colombia, Ivory Coast and Greece are going to be midfield battles, and given that Hosogai plays in Germany for Hertha Berlin, that added bit of experience at a higher level would have been key.
Lucas Moura (Brazil) – Baffling, utterly baffling that he was not selected. Anyone who has seen a mere glimpse of him as a player knows the ridiculous amount of talent that he possesses. All you have to remember from this past season is the way he came on as a substitute for PSG against Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal first leg and singlehandedly put the match solely in the favor of the Parisians – he is that good and he is that influencial. Brazil only took three attacking minded midfielders in their squad, and with Ramires having a questionable season at Chelsea, Moura’s attacking prowess would have given Brazil more options and danger off the bench.
Isco’s youth would have been a welcome addition to the squad, but ultimately he fell victim to Spain’s deep pool of veteran and talented midfielders. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Isco (Spain) – With Thiago Alcantara struggling with fitness, it was quite puzzling that Isco was left out of the squad. Apart from that, this was more of an omission due to Spain having so many options when it comes to midfielders, rather than Isco not being good enough. No one can question his talent and truthfully, Alcantara is the only player he could have realistically swapped with, though you could argue that Santi Cazorla’s up and down form for Arsenal this year would not necessarily be missed by Spain. Do not worry however, Isco is sure to have a prominent role in years to come.
Javier Pastore (Argentina) – I personally ranted and grumbled when I saw that Pastore was not included, and honestly, who didn’t. He has been fantastic for PSG in the last few years since moving from Palermo, and much like Lucas Moura, is a fantastic option off the bench when you need a spark. Excellent in the box and with the ball at his feet, he is incredibly crafty and reads the open space quite well. So you just have to wonder, how on earth was Maxi Rodriguez selected over him? When a choice like that was made, you really have to wonder what is going on behind the scenes.
Samir Nasri (France) – His skill is unquestioned, his attacking brilliance and influence for Manchester City has helped them win two league titles in the last three years. He has shone in the past for France as well, but Didier Deschamps opted to leave him out of his World Cup squad. Despite the shock of many, I personally agree that he cannot go – his attitude, demeanor and hindrance on team cohesion are all reasons why the right choice was made. So why is he on this list? Simply because on his day, he is a brilliant player and you never like to have a major tournament without someone like him.
Strikers:
Mario Gomez (Germany) – 225 career goals in 378 matches at club level and 25 goals in 59 Germany caps – Gomez is a lethal striker. So capable in both the air and on the ground, he is the ideal target man they hoped they could have called upon. Unfortunately, he spent the vast majority of this past season sidelined with a serious injury, and he missed so much playing time that Joachim Low could not select him, despite being fit currently. As such, Germany will have to deal with Miroslav Klose and Kevin Volland as their only out and out strikers – a fact that could bite them in the butt in the end.
Carlos Tevez (Argentina) – It has long been known that Tevez and Lionel Messi just do not get along. Despite the fact that such an issue could potentially effect the delicate balance of a dressing room, the simple fact is that with a decision such as that, you will side with whatever outcome suits Messi. That said, it is a little ridiculous that coach Alejandro Sabella did not sit the pair of them down and tell them to man up and iron out their differences for the sake of the team and the country – why? Because now, they had to call on Rodrigo Palacio instead, and that is just too painful to think about.
Carlos Vela (Mexico) – Tevez is not the only striker missing out on the World Cup due to national team drama. Carlos Vela, one of the brightest strikers in La Liga just got finished with a masterful campaign for Real Sociedad – 15 goals and 13 assists in the league, showcasing just how versatile of a player he is. But the fact that Vela has had a continuous gripe with the Mexican FA to the point where he himself is choosing to not play for the national team, you’d have to question if they’d even be better off even if he was playing. It’s a shame that his talents will not be on display, such is his current form that he may be in-line for a shock return to Arsenal and given the tough task ahead for Mexico, Vela would surely have been needed.