ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI
Perhaps the outstanding No. 9 in European football last season when he bagged 36 goals, Robert Lewandowski remains at Borussia Dortmund this term and already has 13 goals in 19 matches for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
A forward who at his very best has the ability to trap an entire opposing backline with his movement, determination and intelligent link play. Simply however, Lewandowski’s linear interpretation of the role—pretty much surmised as every touch and every move being made with the sole purpose of getting closer to the opposition goal—makes him one of world football’s very best strikers. With clinical finishing and an ability with his back to goal that is second to none, the Poland hit man will lead our line.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
After defeat to a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal in their World Cup play-off, Brazil 2014 will have to make do without the talismanic Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Though he scored twice—one a deft header while showing his upper body strength as he held off Bruno Alves, the second a powerful low free-kick—Ibracadebra couldn’t do enough to lead the Swedes to victory. With his outstanding technical ability, intelligent passing, clever touches and rugged power, though he is now into his 30s, he continues to be one of Europe’s outstanding performers. Therefore, he makes our team here, and what the heck, he may as well take the captain’s armban.
Ardan Turan
The talented Turkish playmaker was something of a mercurial talent for both club and country before coming across Diego Simeone in 2011. But since teaming up with the Argentine, his game has become more rounded as he has bought into Simeone’s hard-running philosophy. As such, the Atletico Madrid star is performing to a consistently high level, with his ability to manipulate the ball and find a killer pass marking him as an integral part of Los Rojiblancos starting XI, while he is also weighing in with key goals. Unfortunately for Arda, Turkey were thwarted in their hopes of qualifying for next summer, but he slots in on the left of our midfield here.
Gareth Bale
With pace, power and technical prowess which at times make him appear seemingly unstoppable, Gareth Bale needs little introduction. A slow start to his Real Madrid career, not to mention the £80 million price tag, have seen him come under scrutiny in recent months, but his form has significantly improved as he has acclimatised to his new surroundings. His goal against Juventus in the recent Champions League clash showed the potent cocktail that is Bale; the Bianconeri had men back, but simply couldn’t stop the Welsh flier from firing home.
Unfortunately, Wales endured a pretty miserable qualification campaign, but with Bale, Ramsey and some other decent players, they’ll hope to make a better fist of qualification for Euro 2016 and Bale will undoubtedly prove crucial
AARON RAMSEY
Over the last eight months or so, Arsenal midfield dynamo Aaron Ramsey has taken his game to a new tremendously high level. His all-action showings, featuring tenacious tackling, intelligent circulation of possession, and an new-found goalscoring touch, have marked Ramsey out as arguably the Premier League’s best performer thus far, while he’s also done the business against some of Europe’s best as well.
Now it is around Ramsey and Real Madrid’s Gareth Bale whom Chris Coleman will hope to mould his Welsh side moving forwards, having seen the side flop in qualifying for Brazil next summer, finishing fifth of six in their group. Nonetheless, such has been Ramsey’s rise to prominence, he makes our best XI of stars who won’t be heading to South America come June.
MAREK HAMSIK
A mixture of excellent vision, clever passing, hard work and intelligent, well-timed off-the-ball runs, Marek Hamsik is very much the modern day all-action midfielder. In recent times he has been mostly utilised as a powerful No.10 for Rafa Benitez’s Napoli, looking to use his intelligence in advance of sitting midfielders Gokhan Inler and Valon Behrami, whilst getting him closer to both Gonzalo Higuain and the opposing goal. Unfortunately for the mohawked one, Hamsik’s Slovakia weren’t strong enough to compete with Bosnia and Greece in Group G, finishing with just 13 points from 10 matches. No doubt he’ll hope to make a far greater impression on the remainder of the Italian campaign as the Neapolitans look to mount a title challenge.
DAVID ALABA
The Bayern Munich man is quite possibly the best left-back in world football, the embodiment of the complete modern-day full-back. Attack-wise, Alaba is a fantastic proposition. Charging along his flank like a steam train, he frequently raids into the final third, utilizing terrific running power and pace to provide an outlet.
DANIEL AGGER.
The Liverpool defender has an excellent left-foot, is strong and tenacious and during his time at Anfield has grown into one of the Premier League’s best defenders, despite his recent spell on the sidelines.
The 28-year-old was a key part of the Denmark side that finished second in their group, but Morten Olsen’s side were the odd man out and didn’t enter the eight-team play-off round.
As such, Agger must now focus his attentions on Liverpool’s top four challenge. His leadership qualities and ability to bring the ball out of defence will both prove important over the course of the season.
MEHDI BENATIA
Perhaps the best defender in Europe so far this season the AS Roma defender won’t take any part in the World Cup next summer, Morocco having failed to navigate their way through the minefield which is African qualifying. Physically strong, aerially dominant and swift in the tackle, Benatia can mix it with the most imposing of strikers. However, he is also an intelligent defender and clever reader of the game, knowing when to get tight or when to drop off and he has been a major reason why Rudi Garcia’s side have conceded just three goals in 12 matches so far this season.
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC
Just beating out Poland’s Lukas Piszczek to the right-back slot is Chelsea and Serbia’s powerful defender Branislav Ivanovic. Dominant aerially, solid in the tackle and positionally sound, Ivanovic is a fantastic defender, whether as a right-back or a centre-half. Yet in recent times he has also improved his use of the ball, through the middle and final thirds, and is increasingly more keen to offer an attacking outlet down the right. And of course, he’s not bad to have for set-pieces, being both a phenomenal penalty box defender and a threat in the opposing box.
PETR CECH
The experienced Chelsea stopper may not be in the best of form with his club right now, but he still remains a mightily-fine goalkeeper. For the best part of a decade he has been imperious both for club and country and even now he is among the world’s best between the sticks.
A leader both on and off the field, Cech is capable of commanding his area, of excellent reflex saves and usually shows impeccable handling. Additionally, despite that injury earlier in his career, he still remains brave. And most of all, he makes big saves at big times. Witness his penalty stops in the 2012 Champions League final, his breathtaking save from then-Liverpool striker Andy Carroll in the 2011 FA Cup final and his save from Manchester United’s Javier Hernandez earlier this year.
Simply put, the best goalkeeper who won’t be going to Braziln