Best Ever Eleven?

Well if you’re wondering as to why the title of this entry is called “My favourite all time X11” well you can embark on a mammoth task without having a warm up, I admit it has been a while… So I will be making a run down on my favourite… MY being the imperative word! Anyway MY FAVOURITE ALL TIME X11! Bearing in mind I was birthed in 1987 so it would be inexplicable for me to include players who were a bit before my time! I also hasten to add I’m a traditionalist; my team will be as balanced as I can possibly make it!  This a revised version of my 2011 Listing!

GOALKEEPER: GIANLUIGI BUFFON

Personally any keeper who justifies a transfer fee in excess of £30m deserves to be in any definitive list of greats! Not only has Buffon performed at the highest level, he has done it consistently for as long as I can remember! Great reflexes have seen him continually make impressive saves in the biggest games. His stop from Zidane’s header in the 2006 World Cup final springs to mind! They say attackers win game but when you see a keeper making miraculous saves it gives you great confidence!

RIGHT BACK: JAVIER ZANETTI

Mr. Consistency! The only player I can remember who was plying his trade at the top of the game when I 1st began to follow football and still is today! Although he plies his trade with the team I dislike most Inter Milan, I couldn’t help but smile when I saw him raise the Champions League aloft! As a full back he had the defensive solidity of Maldini couple with an outstanding pair of lungs and willingness to get forward and influence games whilst not neglecting his primary defensive obligations, which I respect greatly!

RIGHT CENTRE BACK: LILIAN THURAM

Most will remember the 1998 world cup where Thuram made an impression at right back, I believe he just had to be in my team and he slots in nicely in the centre of defence. Athleticism, ferocious in the tackle, good on the ball and great reading of the game, Thuram is one of the most complete defenders in the modern game and his numerous accolades are testament to this!

LEFT CENTRE BACK:  PAULO MONTERO

Montero made a quote once “I was born a defender, and I will die a defender!” nothing I can say will quite sum up the Juventus legend more. Uncompromising to say the least some would even suggest that Montero was the epitome of gamesmanship, but none can doubt his quality! A true leader and the original prototype to some of the games most revered centre backs today for example the likes of Vidic.

LEFT BACK: PAULO MALDINI

OKAY I admit I am cheating! Many may not know that Maldini despite playing left back for the majority of his career actually wasn’t left footed! I don’t care penalise me if you will but any list isn’t complete without Maldini! A true legend of the game and was able to be at the top for over 20 years. Despite his reluctance to go into management I think he is the destined for more great things in the game!

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: FERNANDO REDONDO

This second slot was extremely difficult, many names came to mind Gerrard, Xavi and many more but ultimately I opted for Redondo! Not taking away from the two players I’ve mentioned but my question marks bout them both Redondo had in abundance! Discipline and Consistency! Redondo’s positioning was so astute that he was renowned for tackle but however he would make countless telling interceptions every time he stepped on the field, the pinnacle of a disciplined pro. Despite having the wide passing range of other players who can be considered, Redondo kept the game simple and hardly ever gave the ball away. Most team’s tactics are based around a player who can screen defences often shutting out the opposition’s orchestrator. A perfect exhibit of this was in the 98 champions league final where Redondo complete nullified the threat of the great Zidane.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: PATRICK VIEIRA

Single handily responsible for revolutionising the modern midfielder. Until Vieira midfielders were type specific, you had your playmakers, anchor men and box to box but Patrick Vieira like none before was able to bring various skills into his game! His combativeness would allow him to dominate games, his Energy saw him making telling contributions at both ends of the pitch. More importantly his role as a leader was very valued during his time at Arsenal and with the national side.

CENTRAL MIDFIELD: XAVI

In an era where the ability to score goals from midfield was highlighted more than ever, you could never have an all-time team without including this little magician in the mix of things. The Barcelona midfielder was the heartbeat of everything good in any team he played with. He never gifted the opposition with the ball, and has the vision despite not utilising his complete passing range to split defences effortlessly. Surprisingly energetic in his younger days he managed to adapt his game after injuries in order to still get the best out of his skill set. Arguments over who was the better midfielder out of him and Andrea Pirlo have been common over the years, but Xavi just shades it for me.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDER: ZINEDINE ZIDANE

Those that know me personally and have ever discussed football with me will understand how pain staking this decision was. Not his biggest fan in all honesty. I watched him very closely during his emergence at Juventus. His Natural gifts that supersede most in history, BUT my problem lies with his output. His placing in worlds football is secure given his accolades, however I would have liked to of seen him dominant games a lot more often than he did. Given these factors his performance in the 2006 World Cup Quarter Finals Versus Brazil is singlehandedly the best I’ve ever seen, and made my decision to pick him over the likes of Ronaldinho, Del Piero and Rivaldo a tad easier.

DEEP LYING FORWARD: LIONEL MESSI

Since his emergence on the footballing scene, Lionel Messi has been defying all the odds: Too small, not strong enough, and not quick enough. Fast forward 10 years and he has cemented his place among those in the higher echelons of the footballing stratosphere. Technically the most proficient player you’re likely to see he has racked up the type of statistics that you can only dream of. He seems to play the game at his own pace and always makes the best decisions with his use of the ball.

CENTRAL STRIKER: RONALDO

The Phenom! In my eyes the best striker ever! Many will not appreciate this comment but what we see the likes of Messi and Cristiano doing now, Ronaldo was doing an over a decade ago! The growth of media coverage of football came just too soon for us to see Ronaldo at his best week in week out terrorising defences alone! Pace, Skills and blessed with a divine eye for goal! I’d go as far as saying Ronaldo is the best player I’ve seen grace a football pitch!

I hope those that have taken their time to read this enjoy, and stay tuned for my next entry.

Kind Regards