Where Does Spain Stand Compared To Other Top International Teams

Spain have never won the world cup. I have doubts about their physical and mental toughness in big matches against the really big teams. Yet based on the strength of the first 11 or the whole squad strength, they are at least twice as good as any other international side. In fact I could even say that if they do not win WC 2010, they will perhaps never win a WC because this is easily the best group of players in their entire history, they have been performing consistently and most other nations are going down right now.

Given below is first details about how strong Spain is in each position. The second part is about where all the competitors stand right now. All the competent players capable of taking a particular place have been mentioned. The outstanding ones are in bold.


Goalkeeper – Casillas / Reina / Lopez / Palop / Valdes ( 5 world class goalkeepers to choose from – no other team perhaps has even 3 of this level )

Left Back – Capdevila

Right Back – Ramos / Arbeloa ( Arbeloa can deputise at left back as well )

Central Defense – Puyol / Albiol / Marchena / Pique ( maybe you will not call any of them the best in the world but they are all very competent )

Defensive Midfield – Senna / Alonso( Senna is a master tackler who has good passing, Alonso is a master at passing and possession play )

Attacking Midfield – Xavi / Fabregas ( a team that has to keep an awesome talent like Fabregas on bench tells you just what its level is, as for Xavi he is the best in the world in his role )

Flank Players – Iniesta / Silva / Riera / Cazorla / Mata / Pablo ( most of them are versatile enough to play as attacking midfielders, as for Iniesta it’s a pleasure to watch any match in which he plays )

Strikers – Torres / Villa / Guiza ( the two best strikers in the world play for the same nation )



Brazil – For one moment forget the hype about Brazil having the world’s best talents. Look at their team and squad carefully. Mediocrity runs right through. The only world class attacker is Kaka. Robinho is the most overrated player in the world. The rest are not even worth being considered stars. The central defense and the goalkeeper are good. The right back position is particularly strong. So are we talking about a defensive Brazil. For once if you forget that they have won 5 WC and are always considered the best team in the world ( sometimes for no rhyme or reason ), why would any top side today think that they don’t have at least an equal chance against this team?

Argentina – Messi is the world’s best player. Mascherano is the world’s best defensive midfielder. The other forward in the team can be chosen from stars like Aguero, Tevez and Milito. This sounds really impressive, right? The problem is after that the team has next to nothing. There are even theories floating around that there’s a small chance they won’t even make it to the WC.

Italy – Well, Lippi just cannot give up his oldies. Yes, we all criticize him but how can you chuck out players who won you the WC after 24 years. Yes, there are lots of genuine young talents coming up. Perhaps many of them won’t be chosen and the ones who are will not be mature enough to make an impact. A team for the future for sure but not for WC 2010.

Germany – The German determination and fighting spirit is always there but there’s not much talent and Ballack is way past it having become a mediocre player, thanks in large part to Chelsea. Yes they will be competitive but not even 50% value against a top class team.

France – Oh yes there is talent. It’s Henry’s swansong. Ribery is already touted as a future world player of the year. They even have options at almost every position. Perhaps one of the better teams but unfortunately it’s run by a joker who doesn’t even know how to make use of all the options.

England – Oh yes Italians make the best managers. Capello’s England is the best that you have seen in 25 years or more. Perhaps he will even take them to the semis – he’s a top class coach. Yet if he wins WC 2010 this one will surpass Rehaggel’s Euro 2004 with Greece as the greatest miracle in football because this time teams will be prepared for what’s coming.

Netherlands – The attacking talent is there for all to see. Yet when will Robben and Van Persie be fit. And Schneider and Van Der Vaart seem to have taken a backward step in their career. Huntelaar has a long way to go before becoming Van Nistelrooy. The defensive midfield shows no steady competent player other than an aging Van Bommel. As for the defense, the less said the better – some of us have had the pleasure of seeing one Mr. Heitinga in action especially against big teams when he is at his “best”. And after Van Der Sar retired there is no goalkeeper either.

Portugal – Oh how I wish one Mr. Cristiano Ronaldo gets to watch WC 2010 in the comfort of his own home or perhaps in the company of the hottest actresses and models in Hollywood. And that’s what could happen since they currently lie 3rd in their group. The team is talented but not covered in all positions. And Luiz Felipe Scolari ( who some fools in England call a failure ) is terribly missed.