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Football fans are always debating about the best players in world football. The FIFPro World XI was announced in October, but many argue that it's more of a popularity contest especially due to the inclusion of Andres Iniesta. If we have to make a 23-man squad, which all players would make the team? Let's analyse based on solid facts and stats.
The squad to be selected consists of 3 goalkeepers, 7 defenders, 7 midfielders, 6 attackers. The squad has been selected based on performances beginning from the 2016/17 season.
Goalkeepers:
David de Gea
The first choice keeper in this squad is David de Gea who is hailed by many as the best goalkeeper in the world at the moment. Consistently the best player for Manchester United over the last few seasons, he is the only player to receive the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year three consecutive times and rightly so.
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The Spanish stopper has been rock solid in goal for Manchester United and Spain, being the saviour on many occassions since his move from Atletico Madrid in 2011. He has an astonishing 0.73 clean sheets per 90 mins on an average, the highest of any keeper in the top 5 leagues this season. His reflexes, and ability to stop close range shots are incredible.
Jan Oblak
Jan Oblak has turned into a world-class goalkeeper over the last two seasons. A flexible stopper, he has the highest number of saves this season and last season in comparison to other top keepers according to Squawka, with 2.91 saves every 90 mins. The first name on the team sheet for Atletico Madrid, he is a rock at the back for Los Rojiblancos and makes the World 23 due to his consistency over the past two seasons.
Marc Andre Ter Stegen
Ter Stegen pips Neuer in this squad due to his incredible rise in form, as well as reputation over the last two seasons. Neuer has been very inconsistent due to injuries since 2016/17 whereas Ter Stegen has got Barcelona out of a hole on many occasions.
Squawka's highest rated goalkeeper last season, Ter Stegen is known for his cool head when in possession of the ball. His distribution accuracy of 84% is the best in the top 5 leagues, and his impeccable ball control allows Barca to start attacks from the back. He has been often hailed as the best keeper in the world with the ball at his feet.
Honorable mentions:
Manuel Neuer, Gianluigi Buffon and Thibaut Courtois
Defenders
Centrebacks
Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos has been an integral part of Real Madrid for over a decade and he was a key figure in the team last season as well. In defence, he was solid, with an impressive 2.3 tackles and 3 interceptions per game in Champions League 2016/17, as per WhoScored.com.
But his attacking contribution was what made him an asset, winning 11 points for Real Madrid with his headed winners in the dying minutes of games. He is strong in holding on to the ball and in aerial duels which he showed on numerous occasions last season.
Ramos headed in a winner in the El Clasico in the 89th minute to equalise, essentially robbing Barcelona of two points which proved crucial for Real Madrid in the end as they won La Liga by 3 points. He repeated similar feats in many other games, allowing Real to emerge victorious in the title race.
It's very sad that two of the best defenders in the world today will not be taking part in football's premier competition in Russia next year. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci have been absolute stalwarts in defence for Juventus and Italy over the last few years, but Italy could not make it to the showpiece event after losing to Sweden in the playoffs recently.
Bonucci and Chiellini were unbelievable for Juventus last year - 2 goals conceded until the final in the Champions League is a stat that sums up the season for the pair. Reminiscent of great defender pairs like Nesta and Maldini, these two defenders definitely deserve the praise and credit they have received for Juventus' run in the Champions League last season.
Giorgio Chiellini
Chiellini has been one of the most dependable figures in the backline for Juventus and Italy for a number of years. He is a paragon of concentration and grit. The Italian centre-back was impermeable at the back for Juve in the Champions League, averaging 5.1 clearances per game, along with a healthy average of 2 tackles and interceptions per game.
A big-game player, Chiellini scored a useful goal against Barcelona from a corner making use of his excellent heading ability, to take them through to the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Leonardo Bonucci:
Hailed by many as the best centre-back in the world at the moment, Bonucci showed why he is rated so highly last season. An intimidating and lively presence at the back for Juventus, he has excellent defensive acumen and anticipation.
Not much of a tackler, Bonucci thrives by positioning himself well and making use of possession to start attacks with long balls. He is quite comfortable on the ball and never shies away from taking on opponents with the ball at his feet.
Gerard Pique
The fourth spot is up for debate and it goes to Gerard Pique because of his brilliant ability with the ball at his feet. His form was one of the few positives to take from what was a disappointing season for Barcelona.
A drastic improvement was seen in Pique's form and general game. An impressive player on the ball, his ability to start attacks from the defence makes him an asset. He has had an average pass accuracy of over 90% for the past few seasons along with 6 long balls per game.
He has made a name for himself as one of the best ball-playing centre-backs in the world and his stats back it up. A good header of the ball, Pique also contributes often with opportune goals.
Fullbacks
Marcelo and Daniel Carvajal have been extremely impressive for Los Blancos for a long time, and have been instrumental in Madrid's back-to-back Champions League trophies. Frankly, they deserve more credit than they are given.
In a team filled with superstars, the two fullbacks make a strong impact in every game they play. Real Madrid's game involves a lot of heading, with 23 crosses per game.
Marcelo
Marcelo had 12 assists last season, which is a testament to his attacking ability. A livewire on the pitch, he never fails to disappoint no matter how the team is playing around him. He has the Brazilian touch in his game and he is not hesitant to show off his Samba moves often.
Defensively sound, he does not hesitate to make tackles with 2.3 tackles per game. He is pacy, hence covers ground to come back even though he spends most of his time further up the pitch. He had an impressive 3.9 long balls per game in the Champions League last season from a fullback position, which backs the fact that he is involved in most attacks for Real Madrid.
Daniel Carvajal
Dani Carvajal has become another undroppable player in the Real Madrid side. Recently diagnosed with a heart infection, it was evident what Madrid misses when he is not on the pitch. Always running up and down the right flank, Carvajal is involved in almost everything that Madrid does on the right side of the field.
Carvajal had an impressive tally of 9 assists last season with two important ones in the final of the Champions League against Juventus. With 2.5 tackles and 2 interceptions per game (according to WhoScored), he is defensively solid and an asset to have in any squad.
Dani Alves
Another player who makes this squad is Dani Alves, who had an amazing season at Juventus after leaving Barcelona. Making up a back four with some of the best defenders in the world, he contributed well defensively with 3 tackles per game.
Offensively, he was a star for Juve with an impressive return of 3 goals and 4 assists in the knockout stages of the Champions League. He has an average of 2.6 key passes since last season. His goal against AS Monaco in the semis of the Champions League is one that will be remembered:
Honorable Mentions:
Centre-backs: Thiago Silva, Diego Godin, David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Raphael Varane, Samuel Umtiti, Jerome Boateng and Mats Hummels
Full-backs: Jordi Alba, Alex Sandro and Cesar Azpilicueta
Midfielders
The pool of talent among midfielders currently is immense. Choosing 7 players out of everyone would be cruel, but that itself is a fun challenge for any football fan.
Defensive Midfielders
Casemiro
Casemiro is arguably Real Madrid's most important player. His knack for breaking down attacks is crucial to Madrid's counter-attacking style of play and not many players do it as well as the Brazilian.
Casemiro consistently has over 5 tackles along with around 3 interceptions per game. He has also scored in crucial situations like the Champions League final and the El Clasico, which makes him an invaluable addition to this squad.
N'Golo Kante
N'Golo Kante has become a Chelsea and France fan favourite since his move to West London. A midfielder with unbelievable stamina, the manager is assured of a player giving his 100% with him in the team. A tireless worker and a master interceptor, Kante has cemented his place among the top defensive midfielders of the world.
Kante has won possession in the midfield more number of times than any other player in the Premier League this season. An impressive average of 3.6 tackles and 2.5 interceptions per game back up the fact that he is one of the best. Kante appeared in 35 games in the Premier League for Chelsea last season, and that was a huge factor determining Chelsea's success.
Attacking Midfielders -
Kevin De Bruyne
Kevin De Bruyne is arguably the best attacking midfielder in the world currently. A dominating presence in the field, he is involved in almost everything that Manchester City do - be it starting an attack, or needing the killer pass or even breaking down attacks, call De Bruyne!
An extremely impressive player, he also has a knack for scoring crucial goals. He has recorded 28 assists since the beginning of last season, with around 2.8 key passes per game. He has transformed into the player that Manchester City revolves around.
He has taken up the role of a controller this season, with a whopping increase from 50 passes per game in 2016/17 to 75 passes per game this season. The following quote from Pep Guardiola sums it up:
“Kevin is one of the best players I have ever seen in my life,” Guardiola said, “in terms of how he can make absolutely everything, everything. He is a top, top quality player. We are so proud and so happy he is with us.”
Thiago Alcantara
A brilliant passer of the ball like his idol Xavi, Thiago Alcantara can either play as a central midfielder or an attacking midfielder. He had league-high interception stats (4.6 per game) in the Bundesliga in the 2016/17, reinforcing his impeccable defensive acumen.
Under Carlo Ancelotti last season, he played as a controller in midfield stringing an average of 95 passes per game. Bayern Munich revolved around Thiago last season, which is different to his role this season.
He has taken up a more attacking role rather than a controller, with an average of 67 passes, down from 95 per game. Thiago has gone on to become one of the most versatile central midfielders in the world, with his abilities in the defensive third and final third both extremely effective.
Toni Kroos and Luka Modric have been the undisputed lynchpins in midfield for Real Madrid. Although they have not hit top form this season, their performances last season definitely merit them a place in this squad. Kroos' calm and composed nature coupled with Modric's attacking acumen makes for a very difficult midfield pairing to face for any opponent team.
Toni Kroos
Kroos is arguably the best midfield controller in the world right now - he has a pass success rate of 93% since last season, and gets dispossessed a meagre 0.5 times in a game! A master in possession, he does his defensive duties as well as he provides through balls to the forwards. He had an impressive 2.8 key passes per game in all competitions last season. How Real Madrid snapped him up for £24 million will forever remain a mystery!
Luka Modric
Modric is more of a dribbler than Kroos with around 2.5 dribbles per game in the Champions League last season. He plays as the most attacking midfielder in the centre of the park for Madrid, not shying away from dribbling at defenders or even have a go at goal with his long shots.
His reputation has forever been on the rise since being named 'Worst La Liga Transfer of the Season' in 2014, and he showed why he is named among the best midfielders in the world last season.
Isco
The last midfielder to make the squad is Isco. Isco has risen at a highly exponential pace - he was integral to Madrid's La Liga triumph in the latter stages. He has continued in the same vein this season as well, becoming an undroppable member of the side.
His elegance and control of the ball are exquisite to watch. His performance against Italy in the World Cup qualifiers would give any doubters enough reasons to change their mind. He has taken up a free-form role at Real Madrid this season and he is allowed to roam the pitch freely without a fixed position.
Dribbling is his strong suit, with approximately 3 dribbles per game. He is the top scorer for Real Madrid this season so far in the league, with 4 goals to his name.
The nutmeg on Marco Verratti below sums up why he has been included in this squad:
"Not even [Lionel] Messi has come close to that level. When I saw his nutmeg, I felt like standing up and applauding too." - Marco Verratti on Isco after Italy's defeat to Spain
Honorable mentions:
Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, Christian Eriksen, David Silva, Marco Verratti, Paul Pogba, Philippe Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic, Ivan Rakitic, Arturo Vidal and Miralem Pjanic
Attackers
Choosing attackers is a less arduous task, due to the truly prolific showings of some of them. Let's dive in.
Strikers -
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez has gained goalscoring prowess at the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, winning the Pichichi for the 2015/16 season. Although he could not replicate that same tally last season, he scored 29 goals and provided a league high of 13 assists.
Considering he is a centre-forward, the number of assists he has provided shows how he has transformed from a goal scorer to an all-round striker. He is an expert at using his body strength to hold on to the ball and make quick turns around the penalty area.
Suarez still needs to hit the same heights this season, with him struggling for form so far. But he makes this squad due to the consistency he has shown over the past two seasons.
Robert Lewandowski
The second striker in my team would be a tussle between Harry Kane and Robert Lewandowski. Harry Kane has started the current season in blistering form, while Lewa has been brilliant as usual. Kane has been improving every year, which is reflected in much better hold-up play and vision. Lewandowski is a master of finishing and he has impressive ability to hold on to the ball.
Lewandowski has been the main outlet of goals for Bayern and Poland, scoring 30 goals in the league last season and 13 goals in 12 games this season, and 16 goals in the World Cup qualifiers. Lewandowski edges Kane to make this squad, due to his role in taking Poland to the World Cup.
Wingers -
Lionel Messi
Messi has been improving with every passing match, now playing creator as well as finisher. He has been amazing in the last two seasons, even though Barca did not have a good season.
Messi scored an incredible 54 goals in all competitions last season and already has 16 goals in 16 games this season. His dribbles have gone up from 3.7 per game to 6.2 per game since Neymar's departure! His hattrick for Argentina to help them qualify for the World Cup cemented his position as the world's best player.
Messi is still at the peak of his powers, and it does not look like it will wane anytime soon.
Pep Guardiola: "Don't write about him. Don't describe him. Just watch him."
Roy Keane: "I was a big fan of Maradona growing up and of the current crop Ronaldo is good but Messi is the best I’ve ever seen. I don’t dish out praise lightly but Messi deserves it. I look for weaknesses in his game and I can’t find them."
Gary Lineker: "Messi is the best passer, dribbler and finisher I have ever seen."
Watch Messi's incredible hat-trick against Ecuador to send Argentina to the World Cup:
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has not been in the best of form since the start of the 2016/17 season, but he has delivered in the matches that mattered. Slowly transforming from a winger to a finisher, his adaptation to his waning pace and dribbling ability has been great to watch.
He scored 25 goals in the league and an amazing 10 goals in the knockout stages of the Champions League. Although his dribbling ability has waned along with his role being limited to being inside the box, his effectiveness cannot be questioned whatsoever.
Ronaldo's knockout stage goals in the Champions League were crucial to their title defence. He's been so consistent that it's impossible to leave him out of this squad.
Neymar
Neymar's stats reflect the player he has turned out to be. A skinny kid from Santos has now become the favourite to break the Ronaldo-Messi duopoly of the Ballon Dór. And rightly so!
Neymar is incredible with his feet and has the most number of successful take-ons (7.7 per game) rivalled only by Messi. He was a little short on goals with only 13 in the league, but Barcelona was dull in attack without him. He already has 7 goals in the league for PSG this season and boy is he on fire!
His playmaking ability has improved beyond measure, orchestrating attacks for Barcelona and now for PSG. The incredible comeback in the Champions League to beat PSG 6-1 was an announcement to the world saying "My time has come". He makes this squad because, in my opinion, he is definitely one of the top three players in the world.
Alexis Sanchez
The fourth winger in this squad is a difficult pick. Alexis Sanchez edges Eden Hazard, as he is much more prolific in front of goal. Sanchez scored an emphatic 24 goals in what was a disappointing season for Arsenal, missing out on a Champions League spot for the first time under Arsene Wenger.
Eden Hazard was pivotal for Chelsea, but Sanchez shone in a very difficult season for the Gunners. Also, he has done well in international tournaments for his nation. He is one of the star players who will definitely be missed in next year's World Cup due to Chile's unfortunate exit after the qualifiers.
Honorable mentions:
Antoine Griezmann, Edinson Cavani, Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane, Aubameyang, Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Bale, Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Paulo Dybala, Eden Hazard and Arjen Robben
Full Squad and Possible Starting 11:
Full squad
Goalkeepers - David de Gea, Jan Oblak, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen
Defenders - Sergio Ramos, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Gerard Pique, Marcelo, Daniel Carvajal, Dani Alves
Midfielders - Kevin de Bruyne, Thiago Alcantara, Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Isco, N'Golo Kante, Casemiro
Attackers - Luis Suarez, Robert Lewandowski, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Alexis Sanchez
Following are two lineups I would try if I was the manager of this squad:
