Ronald Koeman – Centre Back
One of the best ball playing defenders in the history of the game, Ronald Koeman was an integral part of Johan Cruyff’s ‘dream team’ in the 1990s. The former Barcelona defender who was also capable of playing as a sweeper was well known for his ability to play long passes and his powerful shooting.
A player who truly epitomised the total football style of Cruyff, Koeman was a pioneer in the ‘attacking’ centre-back role. The legendary Dutchman had an incredible 6 seasons at Barcelona, where he won the La Liga four times in a row between 1990 and 1994.
Koeman was also known for his immaculate set-piece abilities and his incredible free-kick in the 5-0 El Clasico win against Real Madrid in the La Liga is still spoken about fondly by the Blaugrana faithful.
A centre-back pairing of Puyol and Koeman would provide just the right mix of solidity and flair to the backline of this incredible XI.