World Cup Squads

[trnk]

Capoue > Sissoko. Capoue was a regular in the France squad at the start of the qualifying campaign so you'd think he'd have probably made the squad had he been playing for us regularly like he was at the start of the season before his injury.

Pogba took his place, not Sissoko. Deschamps like Sissoko because he's versatile (can play on the wing)

 

[beats1]

So why exactly did Brazil not call up Costa? Did they try to? Miles ahead of the likes of Fred and Jo.

They did, he had an amazing debut and it went great then fifa changed the rules and Spain called him up and did well. Sergio Ramos said if he goes to the world cup, he wouldnt go. Del Bosque told him to do one then and he backed down but some of the spanish players weren't happy.

I think he had a straight choice of the 2 and opted for Spain in the end. Dont fancy Brazil's frontline at all, very mediocre.

Really I don't see much between them

Costa
Neymar---------------Hulk
Oscar
Paulinho Fernandinho
Marcelo -- Luiz -- Silva -- Alves
Cesar
​

IMO should be Willian for Hulk or Oscar

Whereas Spain would be like this

Costa
Iniesta------------------Silva
Xavi
Busquets Alonso
Alba Pique Ramos Azpilicueta
Casillas
​

While spain has some of the greatest players ever it isn't the team it once was especially the defence only Azpilicueta has a good year

 

[Cavehillspur]

They did, he had an amazing debut and it went great then fifa changed the rules and Spain called him up and did well. Sergio Ramos said if he goes to the world cup, he wouldnt go. Del Bosque told him to do one then and he backed down but some of the spanish players weren't happy.

Really I don't see much between them

Costa
Neymar---------------Hulk
Oscar
Paulinho Fernandinho
Marcelo -- Luiz -- Silva -- Alves
Cesar
​

IMO should be Willian for Hulk or Oscar

Whereas Spain would be like this

Costa
Iniesta------------------Silva
Xavi
Busquets Alonso
Alba Pique Ramos Azpilicueta
Casillas
​

While spain has some of the greatest players ever it isn't the team it once was especially the defence only Azpilicueta has a good year

I think Brazil will start with Fred up front though. If its Willian, Neymar and Hulk with Oscar behind then would be much better.

Id go:

----------Neymar----------

Willian -----------------Hulk

-----------Oscar------------

 

[Lufti]

I think he had a straight choice of the 2 and opted for Spain in the end. Dont fancy Brazil's frontline at all, very mediocre.

Iirc, he wanted to play for Brazil, but they didn't choose him for the Confederations Cup (he wasn't the beast he is now before that tournamanet) and then afterwards when he got asked to play for Spain he chose them as he was still angry? That's how my Brazilian colleague put it anyway, but the Brazilian FA claim he chose Spain for $$$

 

[Syn_13]

They did, he had an amazing debut and it went great then fifa changed the rules and Spain called him up and did well. Sergio Ramos said if he goes to the world cup, he wouldnt go. Del Bosque told him to do one then and he backed down but some of the spanish players weren't happy.

Really I don't see much between them

Costa
Neymar---------------Hulk
Oscar
Paulinho Fernandinho
Marcelo -- Luiz -- Silva -- Alves
Cesar
​

IMO should be Willian for Hulk or Oscar

Whereas Spain would be like this

Costa
Iniesta------------------Silva
Xavi
Busquets Alonso
Alba Pique Ramos Azpilicueta
Casillas
​

While spain has some of the greatest players ever it isn't the team it once was especially the defence only Azpilicueta has a good year

For me it's Spain's front line hands down. Iniesta > Neymar, Silva > Hulk and Xavi > Oscar. Where Brazil do well is the utilisation of their midfield players. Xavi is, of course, a legend, but Oscar works a lot harder and presses so much. Paulinho, Luis Gustavo and Oscar gave Spain no time on the ball whatsoever at the Confed Cup. I think Brazil are better off playing Neymar as the focal point and using Willian and Hulk (I'd actually prefer Moura, but Scolari loves Hulk) as the wide men.

 

[beats1]

For me it's Spain's front line hands down. Iniesta > Neymar, Silva > Hulk and Xavi > Oscar. Where Brazil do well is the utilisation of their midfield players. Xavi is, of course, a legend, but Oscar works a lot harder and presses so much. Paulinho, Luis Gustavo and Oscar gave Spain no time on the ball whatsoever at the Confed Cup. I think Brazil are better off playing Neymar as the focal point and using Willian and Hulk (I'd actually prefer Moura, but Scolari loves Hulk) as the wide men.

I agree about Moura mate but Scolari has his favourites.

The thing is decline in spain is happening because of xavi getting old he needs a challenge(come on de boer make it happen). Now if they play Koke(yes the guy I said we should of signed last year when he was available, FFS) I think that may rejuvenate spain, plus this spain team doesnt have the hunger.

With Brazil, you have to remember have been playing together for 2/3 years, with minimal changes with Spain struggling to get their players to play well together with so many good players(actually looked better when soldado was in the team).

I think if Brazil had Costa they would of been my favourites but I have this feeling they wont win it. Just something tells me it wont happen and their players haven't had a good year, Neymar, Oscar(willian been better), Paulinho, Luiz(3rd choice cb), Alves, Gustavo and etc.

 

[Lufti]

Revised Germany squad following the friendly:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hanover 96)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke 04), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Kevin Volland (Hoffenheim)

Two will be cut to make the final 23, my guess is it'll be Mustafi and Kramer

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Revised Germany squad following the friendly:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Roman Weidenfeller (Borussia Dortmund), Ron-Robert Zieler (Hanover 96)

Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Kevin Grosskreutz (Borussia Dortmund), Erik Durm (Borussia Dortmund), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Per Mertesacker (Arsenal), Shkodran Mustafi (Sampdoria), Marcel Schmelzer (Borussia Dortmund), Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)

Midfielders: Lars Bender (Bayer Leverkusen), Julian Draxler (Schalke 04), Matthias Ginter (Freiburg), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Christoph Kramer (Borussia Moenchengladbach), Sami Khedira (Real Madrid), Toni Kroos (Bayern Munich), Thomas Mueller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Arsenal), Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund), Andre Schuerrle (Chelsea), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern Munich)

Forwards: Miroslav Klose (Lazio), Kevin Volland (Hoffenheim)

Two will be cut to make the final 23, my guess is it'll be Mustafi and Kramer

There's 27 there so 4 will be cut surely...

I'd say Durm, Mustafi, Kramer and Ginter

Basically the 4 players I've barely heard of and know nothing about....

 

[Lufti]

There's 27 there so 4 will be cut surely...

I'd say Durm, Mustafi, Kramer and Ginter

Basically the 4 players I've barely heard of and know nothing about....

True, it would appear I've lost the ability to count.

Yeah, probably, though I could see Ginter staying in place of Khedira as Löw was making a big deal about picking people who are fit (in terms of health - otherwise the gooner turk wouldn't be there)

 

[EJWTartanSpur]

Man if Germany had a top grade striker, they would be even more formidable than they already are. One wonders if the popularity and explosion of high quality AM/Inside Forwards in Germany has somehow hoovered up some talent that may have been trained up as and finally become out and out strikers for them in a time gone by.

 

[beats1]

Man if Germany had a top grade striker, they would be even more formidable than they already are. One wonders if the popularity and explosion of high quality AM/Inside Forwards in Germany has somehow hoovered up some talent that may have been trained up as and finally become out and out strikers for them in a time gone by.

I think the reason for them having so many AM's is that the players had weaknesses in their overall game but to get them to be the best for their age group/competive at a high level at a young age, they were moved to AM spots instead or wide spots instead of slowly developing in Striker position and not being one of the best straight away.

Im thinking Podolski, Schurrle, Muller and etc. All are capable of being striker but don't have the experience of the position. Volland was turning in to the same but this season has been very good after being moved to up front after a great season on the wing

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

US cuts Donovan and Parkhurst, Evans, Goodson, Corona, Edu, Boyd to get to 23-man roster.

https://twitter.com/GrantWahl

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

US Media is going to have a field day with the Donovan cut

 

[Syn_13]

They cut Edu? No way!

Isn't he meant to be as good as Zidane on FM 2006 by now?

 

[yankspurs]

Though Klinsmann wasnt going to name the squad until the last possible date? Donovan, Edu, Boyd and Gooson should have been on the roster instead of Beckerman, Wondo, Davis and Gonzalez. Those 4 have no place on this roster. Absolutely none.

What sucks is that Julian Green will be under the microscope of America when he shouldnt be.

But Landon hasnt performed well this year for LA, was poor leading up to Mexico and got benched. Then he was poor when he came on. Also made a stupid comment about not being his best every day in training. So it was smart for Klinsmann to move on from him, IMO. People wont like it because they remember all he has done for US Soccer. But the past does not matter. It is what can you do for me now. And the answer with Landon is not much.

I would go
Howard
Chandler Cameron Besler Johnson
Bradley Jones
Zusi Dempsey Bedoya
Altidore

Against Portugal, I may put Yedlin at right back though. His pace could be key against Ronaldo.

 

[carpediem991]

Lars Bender is out because of injury

 

[robertgoulet]

Though Klinsmann wasnt going to name the squad until the last possible date? Donovan, Edu, Boyd and Gooson should have been on the roster instead of Beckerman, Wondo, Davis and Gonzalez. Those 4 have no place on this roster. Absolutely none.

What sucks is that Julian Green will be under the microscope of America when he shouldnt be.

But Landon hasnt performed well this year for LA, was poor leading up to Mexico and got benched. Then he was poor when he came on. Also made a stupid comment about not being his best every day in training. So it was smart for Klinsmann to move on from him, IMO. People wont like it because they remember all he has done for US Soccer. But the past does not matter. It is what can you do for me now. And the answer with Landon is not much.

I would go
Howard
Chandler Cameron Besler Johnson
Bradley Jones
Zusi Dempsey Bedoya
Altidore

Against Portugal, I may put Yedlin at right back though. His pace could be key against Ronaldo.

I think Jurgen picked this team w/ an eye on 2018. He knows the draw is against them this year. Get the kids some experience against the best of the best. If the kids play their asses off then we've still got a shot.

When I saw that first episode of the "March to Brazil" show that aired last week I immediately texted a friend of mine saying that Landon isn't going to make the team. Something just didn't seem right with him. Looked very out of shape, kind of sounded like he knew his body was failing him.

The only change I would have made was Boyd over Wondo. Everything else is fine w/ me.

 

[Lufti]

But Landon hasnt performed well this year for LA, was poor leading up to Mexico and got benched. Then he was poor when he came on. Also made a stupid comment about not being his best every day in training. So it was smart for Klinsmann to move on from him, IMO. People wont like it because they remember all he has done for US Soccer. But the past does not matter. It is what can you do for me now. And the answer with Landon is not much.

Well, Klinsmann's son was pretty happy about the news anyway..

 

[yankspurs]

I think Jurgen picked this team w/ an eye on 2018. He knows the draw is against them this year. Get the kids some experience against the best of the best. If the kids play their asses off then we've still got a shot.

When I saw that first episode of the "March to Brazil" show that aired last week I immediately texted a friend of mine saying that Landon isn't going to make the team. Something just didn't seem right with him. Looked very out of shape, kind of sounded like he knew his body was failing him.

The only change I would have made was Boyd over Wondo. Everything else is fine w/ me.

I would have taken Edu over Beckerman(Williams over both but he wasnt on the 30), Boyd over Wondo and Goodson over Gonzalez. Omar especially has no place in the team. Has shown next to nothing for the USMNT. Been absolutely terrible for country. Goodson has been solid.
I'd have taken Donovan over Davis too. But on merit. Not that he deserves it based off performance this year. He's been terrible this year.

 

[yankspurs]

Well, Klinsmann's son was pretty happy about the news anyway..

I was happy too, honestly. He's been awful this year. Made a stupid comment about training. And its clear that football isnt his first priority anymore. Also, he's clearly not match fit and its been 4 months since training started for MLS.