World Cup Twenty 14

blood for the world cup

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Mexico (Group A)

El Tri barely made the World Cup as it couldn't find any consistency during qualification. That could be due to the fact that the Mexican Federation shuffled through a slew of coaches and different lineups or it could be because Mexico is dipping in talent. I think it's the former and maybe Mexico will be better for weathering the storm and punching a ticket to Brazil. Group A has a team already basically getting through to the next round, so Mexico will have to duke it out with Croatia to get enough points to advance. Here is my projected starting XI for when they kick off the tournament:

Formation: 5-3-2 (Coach: Miguel Herrera)

 GK - Moisés Alberto Muñoz Rodríguez (América)

The 34-year-old is one of many of Herrera's men from his club team (América) and therefore trusted enough to don the gloves when El Tri arrive in Brazil. He isn't as spectacular as Ochoa, but Mexico need consistency and Ochoa (ex-América player) hasn't always preformed well for his national side.

RB (RW) - Paul Aguilar (América)

Aguilar, much like his fellow full back on the left side, essentially plays a winger for El Tri. He has full freedom to sprint forward and get involved in the attack while making sure he is cautious enough to stay home and not leave the three centre backs vulnerable to attack. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhSLkqOyEoA (Look how far Aguilar is up for his goal against New Zealand)

CB - Juan Carlos Valenzuela (América)

Another member of Herrera's América is Valenzuela. He is of three solid centre backs in the formation and really where his value lies is in his familiarity with the system. Valenzuela also has some value in set pieces.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkJ8AEbQcKM

CB - Francisco Javier Rodríguez (América) 

Yet another Águila and he is the anchor. Francisco stands at a staggering 6'3" and he uses every inch in the box. Devastating on attacking and defending set pieces. Also, he's familiar with the system which lock him into the spot.

CB - Rafael Márquez (Léon)

The mighty Rafa. Holder of over 100 caps for his country. The well travel central defender that once held together a world class team in Barcelona is now 35, but with 4 other defenders, he'll only be asked to marshal his fellow defenders with his experience in big games.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESTOQ47hvdg

LB (LW) - Miguel Layún (América)

Basically a similar player to Aguilar, with the same mission. Pick spots to get forward to increase attacking pressure, but be mindful of leaving the 3 centre backs unprotected. Only difference between him and Aguilar is that Layún could almost be mistaken as an out an out winger. He has a powerful shot and a light touch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol3ycsP9NHg

RM - Luis Montes (Léon)

Montes has a decent left foot and plays well in link up play. Much like the rest of the squad, Montes is a less renown player but improves heavily on the chemistry than the all-star squads of Europe transplants like before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVhsDldBlJA

CM - Juan Carlos Medina (América)

Another Eagle. Yes Medina has solid attributes, but mainly he was in the lineup to create solidarity among El Tri. If the warm ups to Brazil look shaky, which I'm assuming they will, Herrera will play it safe and go with a team that knows each other.

LM - Carlos Peña (Léon)

Peña plays with grit. It would behoove Herrera to put him in the middle instead of Medina, but we are assuming he reverts back to what got him here. Peña is a nose-to-the-grindstone footballer, constantly pushing forward with strength and usually finds himself in the box to poach a few goals. Not technically stellar, but does the little things that help a team maintain progress and stay organized.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H23x21P5AeU

RF - Javier Hernández Chicharito (Manchester United) 

Criminally underused by Manchester United, Chicharito is a premier goal poacher and beats the back line better than anyone in North America. The only question is if he'll be in good enough shape to help El Tri come June because the Premier League is winding to a close and he's still being left out of the starting XI.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pKZ7Qut76s

LF - Oribe Peralta (Santos)

Oribe Peralta was basically forced into the prior first teams by Mexico's faithful and passionate fans. An absolute beast for Santos and now a fixture in El Tri's attack, Peralta maintaining his run of form will mean everything to Mexico even more so than the European based players because the rest of the team (mostly based in Mexico as well) will draw off him for inspiration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib6UyhcR__A (clinical)

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Prediction: Mexico will have its moments in Brazil and plant the seeds for a great 2018 tournament, but will not have enough to take the advancing second place position from Croatia.

Mexico will always be a decent side and they could easily make a lot of us look foolish and steal the match against Croatia, but they don't have enough time to pull everything together and integrate the more prolific European based players. The chemistry Herrera used to barely qualify won't be enough to get it done on the world stage. They need that chemistry from the likes of Guardado, Herrera, dos Santos and Aquino.

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Cameroon (Group A)

The Indomitable Lions have, since the mid 80s, been one of the stronger African nations. Cameroon reached its peak in the 1990 Cup by reaching the quarter finals.  They were the first team mathematically eliminated from the 2010 World Cup and its core is ageing. Although they have some stalwarts in the midfield and the once prolific Samuel Eto’o leading the attack, The Lions will find Brazil's harsh conditions a difficult ask. Here is my projected starting XI for when they kick off the tournament:

Formation: 4-3-3 variant (Coach: Volker Finke)

GK - Charles-Hubert Itandje (Konyaspor)

It's a mess at keeper for Cameroon. Itandje started during the play-off qualifier against Tunisia, so I'm assuming he'll get the nod ahead of the other sub-par net minders Finke has to choose from. Note: Itandje is famous for laughing and behaving extremely disrespectfully during a Hillsborough memorial while he played for Liverpool. He was punished to the maximum and was soon after marched out of the club.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwD2PkYr_ik (0:29 mark)

RB - Nicolas N'Koulou (Marseille)

N'Koulou plays in the center of the Marseille defense but he has the pace to play out wide for his national team. He'll be asked to be flexible because the best defenders for Cameroon are all centre backs. At least, he brings big match experience from Ligue 1 and Champions League.

CB - Aurélien Chedjou (Galatasaray)

If I were a national team coach, I'd be hard pressed to put anyone playing in the Turkish Süper Lig in my starting XI. Chedjou had a decent career back in Lille and I'd be doing him injustice to mention how well he handles the ball for a defender, but he's been in Turkey for a while now and that level of competition won't have him sharp for June.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPmDZuzpQqQ

CB - Stéphane Mbia (Sevilla) 

Mbia was reckless at QPR and hasn't improved much since his loan move to Sevilla. He prefers playing in the defensive midfield role, but Cameroon have two dominant CDMs. His desire to get up the pitch and his selfishness will get him and his team into trouble.

LB - Benoît Assou-Ekotto (QPR)

Assou-Ekotto was unfairly sent away from Tottenham on loan after a solid 2012-2013 campaign and he's been brooding ever since. Posting pictures of himself laughing at the expense of any Spurs slip up shows that his pride has taken a hit. Keep in mind that Benoit has maintained throughout his career that soccer is a career and he doesn't find much pleasure in it. Even though Assou-Ekotto has the ability to both defend and get forward, If the Lions start slow, he could easily lose focus and start thinking about an early vacation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1yLVrl3KlA 

CDM - Alex Song  (Barcelona) 

Song is a great defensive midfielder. He has the vision and strength to protect the back four and the vision and skill to keep the attack moving. He's been relegated to the bench at Barca so Brazil might be a time for Song to show that he still has plenty to offer his parent club or other teams that'll be looking for midfield help in the summer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16KiBaavMQA 

CDM - Jean Makoun (Rennes)

Makoun is a solid defensive mid, but he won't give any attackers fits. He can do a little bit of everything and he won't hurt Cameroon. 

CDM - Eyong Enoh (Antalyaspor)

The first Cameroonian to play for Ajax has since fallen from top football. Ajax has loaned him out across Europe and now he's in the unsavory position of playing in the Turkish league. The extremely religious defensive mid is similar to Makoun in that he's not a liability, but he also won't be able to tear apart class sides in the World Cup.

RW - Benjamin Moukandjo Bilé (Nancy)

The Nancy speedster could be deployed in any of the front line positions, as with the other two forwards. All three are natural strikers in their clubs, but two will have to adjust and play slightly wider. I'm assuming with Moukandjo's world class speed and lack of a finishing touch, he'll be asked to bring pace from the wing and let Eto'o do his thing in the middle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDIqTR3gl58

ST - Samuel Eto'o (Chelsea) *captain*

Volker Finke taking over in May brought the mercurial striker back into the team. Eto'o has lived an incredible footballing life playing for most of the great club teams in the world and carrying Cameroon. At 32, he doesn't have the pace or touch that once use to torment defenders, but he can still slot home a goal or two. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKS8wl4S_Gs (great top 20 goals clip)

 LW - Pierre Achille Webó (Fenerbahçe SK)

Think his wing partner Moukandjo but much older (32). He still has some pace, but his finishing (outside of his decent heading ability) asks a lot of questions. Furthermore, and much like many of his starting XI Cameroonians, Webó plays in Turkey, which will leave him grasping for sharpness come tournament time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZrJSZa7dz4

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Prediction: Cameroon will not earn a single point in the group stage and will begin a long drought of international success.

Cameroon, like the others in Group A, will be pushed around by Brazil, but Mexico and Croatia could also make easy work of the Lions. Many of the players are either in an inferior league, at an advanced age or not getting enough minutes at their parent club. That mixed with a very suspect back line will spell disaster for Cameroon.

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Croatia (Group A)

The Croatian National Team has a collection of solid if not inspiring players all over the pitch. Plenty of bite in key areas and some strong leaders will give them a fighting chance to take the coveted 2nd ticket out of Group A behind Brazil. Croatia has as recently as 1998 made a 3rd place finish in the World Cup and although those heights aren't probable for this outfit, they will not be as easy match for both Mexico or Cameroon. Here is my projected starting XI for when they kick off the tournament on June 12th:

Formation: 4-4-2 or {4-5-1 vs. Brazil} (Coach: Niko Kovac)

GK - Stipe Pletikosa (Rostov)

Towering (6'4")  35-year-old keeper in the twilight of his career. Kept two straight clean sheets in the play-off qualifiers, but that was against Iceland.

RB - Šime Vrsaljko (Dinamo Zagreb)

 My best guess for who steps in for Josip Šimunić after Šimunić was found guilty of inciting nazi-esque chants (10 match ban) after their victory over Iceland. Šime Vrsaljko plys his trade in Serie A and has the talent (and hunger) to step into the starting XI.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnByTWSM82I

CB - Vedran Ćorluka (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Ćorluka used to have more pace and played right full back in his Premier League hay day with Man City and Tottenham. Since then he's migrated to centre back. He's clumsy (as seen in his clip getting iced by Ronaldo), but has big match experience. A solid player who will benefit from playing next to Lovren's leadership.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5F_n_V5jh8

CB - Dejan Lovren (Southampton)

Loveren has been great for the Saints. He is a commanding presence in the back line and can punch in a set piece or two with his size. He has the leadership to keep Croatia organized at the back. Although, he's picked up a couple of knocks through the Premier League campaign, hopefully he'll be fit for the start of the tournament. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfBRMd2bFoc (sneaky technical on the ball and can thrust forward)

LB - Ivan Strinić (Dnipro)

The unspectacular Strinić is the weakest link in the Croatian defense and his left side of the field is where the opposing attack will aim. His steady minutes for his club team should assure him the starting spot.

RM - Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donetsk) *captain*

Taking a gamble here and assuming that because of the emergence of Vrsaljko, Srna could be used further up the pitch. His distribution and class could be a huge benefit for the midfield. He still has some pace for a 31-year-old and his vision and set piece taking abilities will be needed for Croatia to advance out of the group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWmrOlZluTI

CM - Mateo Kovačić (Internazionale)

The little genius of Croatia (and Inter), would be a huge boost if he can mature a little bit before the tournament. A silky touch, great vision (common among the Croat midfielders) and fearlessness make this kid (19) a perfect weapon to play along side Modrić.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vFMqwIR67s (his scouting vid)

CM - Luka Modrić (Real Madrid)

His touch and vision are second to few. He's the brain behind this team and sometimes it looks as if he's viewing the match from 500 yards above the pitch. His ability to set up his teammates is absolutely necessary for Croatia. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA4CCs4kvTo 

LM - Ivan Rakitić (Sevilla)

Rakitić rounds out a very solid and creative midfield for Croatia. If Srna is the leader, Kovačić the hustle, Modrić the vision- Rakitić is the threat. Every side needs that player capable of torching a side with a couple moments a sheer talent and Rakitić is the one that can turn his fellow midfielders' chances into goals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k71aqgimU4

RF - Mario Mandžukić (Bayern Munich)

The lanky striker made a name for himself in Euro 2012 and that sparked a move to Bayern where he has proven that he wasn't a flash in the pan. He tends to get a lot of his goals from poaching and being in the right place and the right time, but Mandžukić isn't short on talent. He has good finesse moves, technique and is a weapon with his head.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdzRxVQaI_4

LF - Nikica Jelavić (Hull City)

Burst onto the Premier League scene after a prolific career at Rangers by seemingly scoring with every touch. His move to Everton was initially an incredible success, but soon the goals dried up. He tries to beat the back line too often and piles up the offsides calls, but he still has a great touch for a target man and will hustle until his last breath. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKAwJxvwJ4E (this was when he caught fire after joining Everton and couldn't miss)

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Prediction: Croatia will advance out of the group only to fall to Spain in the second round.

There is a lot of quality in the starting XI, but almost no depth. Also, the back line, especially between the centre backs, is shaky at best. Jelavić will need to use his transfer to Hull City to regain his form so that Super Mario isn't asked to do everything up front. They will struggle mightily against Brazil, but if they can turn the other groups matches into fast paced high scoring affairs, they could use their creativity in the midfield and their top shelf finishing in the front to get the 4-6 points they'll need to get through to the second round. 

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Brazil (Group A)

The Brazilian National team has an overabundance of talent and are the odds on favorites to be champions for the first time since 2002 (They've already won a staggering 5 World Cups). Here is my projected starting XI for when they kick off the tournament on June 12th:

Formation: 4-3-3 (Coach: Luiz Felipe Scolari)

GK - Júlio César (Queens Park Rangers)

César, once an elite stopper, has lost a step. Playing in the Championship won't prepare Júlio for the world class players decending on his home soil, but lucky for the 34-year-old, he won't be asked to do much until the latter stages of the tournament due to their easy draw.

RB - Dani Alves (Barcelona)

Extremely skilled, powerful and fierce. Even at 30, Alves is a top 5 right back in the world. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qszqGAng-30

CB - Thiago Silva (PSG) *captain*

Some consider Silva the world's best defender. His distribution from the back is top shelf, he can penetrate the opposing defences like a creative midfielder, and that doesn't even touch on his supreme defensive capabilities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSqLb9AXPic

CB - David Luiz (Chelsea)

This is a tricky selection because Luiz would be a terrible choice at CB imho. Luiz is a phenomenal footballer but is flamboyant on the ball and can suffer bouts of disinterest. Luiz has the brain of a creative midfielder and the body of a defender and that gets him into trouble. Also, his locker contain a powerful free kick. But, he plays for a world class team and will most likely be picked ahead of more trustworthy players.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu7FinSTzKg

LB - Marcelo (Real Madrid)

Considered one of the more technically  gifted and pacy left backs in the world, Marcelo has also put on muscle in recent years. Along with Alves on the other flank, Marcelo will make sure few crosses are whipped into the box. 

CDM/RM - Ramires (Chelsea)

Ramires wasn't featured in the Confed Cup starting XI against Spain, but I'll assume that Scolari once again uses two deeper defensive midfielders ahead of the back line and Ramires is more talented than Gustavo. Yes Ramires loves to get forward and that might leave holes for opposition to attack, but Scolari will need Ramires' world class experience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7FdqIthU0s (his class)

CDM/LM - Paulinho (Tottenham)

Both Fernandinho and Paulinho could play the second defensive-ish midfielder role. Those two could also partner and leave Ramires to be a super sub. Paulinho is my choice because of his performance at the Confed Cup and his continued success after his move to Tottenham. After Neymar, Paulinho was the figure most central to Brazil's success in the Confed Cup and Scolari won't soon forget that. He takes care of the ball, distributes with ease and is difficult to bring down. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUKec0C_WjU

CAM/CM - Oscar (Chelsea)

The fleet-footed and technically gifted 22-year-old is a revelation. He picks his head up immediately and tries to get forward and has little trouble doing so. His coach at Chelsea has also now endowed him with the hunger for getting back on defense. In short, if Brazil lifts the trophy, it'll be because Oscar pumped blood into his team every step of the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm-7EDylT6c

RW - Hulk (Zenit St Petersburg)

Hulk is a a gifted beast of a footballer with a torso that seemingly makes up like 90% of his body. Hulk wouldn't be in my starting XI because of his infamous selfish play, but Scolari has chosen him time and again and he will want consistency heading into the World Cup. Hulk doesn't lack in skill, power and an ability to finish, but he might hurt Brazil with his desire to be the star.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YquhdWChGvQ

LW - Willian (Chelsea)

Because Fred has been injured, Brazil doesn't have a dominant striker (even Fred was only a bit of a poacher). Willian's form has been huge for Chelsea and he could be in line to step in for Brazil. This would obviously mean that Neymar would set in up front which isn't his natural position, but the three will be weaving in and around each other anyway. Willian and Neymar offer the pace, technique and flair that Brazilians relish. Plus, the Willian, as mentioned about Oscar before, is playing above average defense because of Mourinho's coaching (invaluable to a historically casual in defense side).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkbp1tRVhho

ST - Neymar (Barcelona)

Brazil's darling. He laid waste to the competition in the Confed Cup with all the pressure on his shoulders and he will once again be asked to create chances and demonstrate the flair Brazilian fans demand from their team. He has integrated somewhat smoothly into one of the world's best teams in Barcelona, but if he goes into the World Cup healthy, he'll be asked to be nothing less than the best to play. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQTFrBMWmUI

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Prediction: Losing in the semis to Germany.

Brazil will easily get out of the easy group that was gifted to them. Their home field advantage will carry them through some rough matches after the group stages, but they're hamstrung by expectations of success and style. While the rest of the world has put more tactical emphasis on their play, Brazil need to match that and also play with the flair their fans expect. This coupled with the fact that many of their players have the propensity to lose focus or act selfishly will catch up to Brazil at some point.