Stars not going to SA: France and Argentina gamble

The preliminary squads for most countries have been released and the first casualties announced. There are quite a few big names who are set to watch the tournament from the comfort of their homes.

It’s a common dilemma for international coaches. Do I stick with the old guard or do I pick the youngsters? The old players provide experience and a proven track record, whilst the younger players inject enthusiasm and often that invigorating naivity which entails an incredible fearlessness. After all,  the old guard where youngsters once.

The announcements of the 30-man preliminary squads have thrown up a few surprises. The two most controversial are, in my opinion, Maradona’s Argentina and the defending champions Italy.

Argentina squad

Fat tit

Diego Maradona has never been particularly stable or sane, we all know that. Argentina’s difficult qualifying campaign was very well publicised. His preliminary 30-man squad has provided yet more entertainment.

Somehow Coloccini has made it ahead of Barcelona’s Gabriel Milito, despite playing all season in the Championship. Similarly Jonás Gutiérrez will probably be on the plane to South Africa while Champions League finalist Esteban Cambiasso stays at home. Bloody bonkers! The decision to include the 36-year old Martin Palermo ahead of Lyon’s flying Lisandro Lopez is equally puzzling. Palermo (not a bad player in his day) was made famous by a hat-trick of penalty misses in a single game.

Other players not representing Argentina include Lucho Gonzalez (Olympique Marseille) , Gago (Real Madrid),  and Zanetti (Inter Milan). That’s quite some list…

Italy squad

Italy’s Marcello Lippi had no hesitation in going against public opinion. Fans’ favourites have been ditched in favour of young blood. Forwards Totti (AS Roma), Toni (AS Roma), Cassano (Sampdoria), Del Piero (Juventus), Inzaghi (Milan AC) and Alessandro Nesta (AC Milan) will all be wathcing their erstwhile team-mates defend the title from their Italian bistros.

Balotelli (Inter Milan), Amauri (Juventus) and Legrottaglie (Juventus) can also consider themselves unlucky to miss out on selection.

Players to look out for: volume II

Welcome to the second instalment of ‘players to look out for’ this summer.

My intention is to highlight a few less familiar faces who may well light up the stage in South Africa.

Theofanis Gekas

Greek God

This 29 year-old striker has been around a few years so I apologise if you know all about him. Gekas currently plays for German club Hertha BSC on loan from Bayer Leverkusen. He has consistently top-scored in both the Greek and German leagues and has a reputation as a ruthless goalscorer. He was recently named the top scorer of the Europe section of World Cup qualification for scoring 10 goals in Greece’s successful qualifying campaign. Gekas had a spectacularly unpleasant experience in England. He was brought in to Portsmouth on loan by manager Tony Adams, but very soon after his move Adams was sacked and replaced by caretaker Paul Hart. Gekas went on to criticise Hart when he wasn’t given any games. On 11 April 2009 he made his single appearance as a substitute when he came on for Jermaine Pennant. His loan period was terminated by Portsmouth on 21 May 2009 two weeks earlier than initially expected because he hilariously refused to play against Sunderland. He is affectionately known as ‘the Greek God’ by his fans.

The 'Asian Wayne Rooney'- except not a thug.

Jong Tae-Se

This 26 year-old Korean-born Japan-based striker is causing waves in the Asian footballing world. Nicknamed ‘the asian Wayne Rooney’ he is strong and powerful with an excellent finish. He made his international debut in 2007, and played a pivotal role in helping North Korea earn a spot in South Africa. He thrived in the 2008 East Asian Cup finishing the tournament as joint top-scorer. A third-generation Korean-Japanese, Jong attended a North Korean university in Japan which led him to decide to play for North Korea’s national team.

Players to look out for: volume I

Welcome to the first installment of my ‘Players to look out for’.

In the run up to the World Cup I intend to highlight a few players who may be relatively unknown to you. Feel free to use this information to impress your mates down the pub. Hopefully I can inspire a few ‘I told you that kid was good’ moments.

Tricksy and skillfull: The lad's a bit special

Mesut Özil

A German player of Turkish origins, Özil joined Schalke 04 when he was 17. On 31 January 2008, he moved to Werder Bremen for a reported fee of 4.3 million Euros.

Özil’s debut for the German national team was in a friendly against Norway on 11 February 2009. His first goal for Germany came in another friendly, against South Africa, on 5 September in Leverkusen.

The little midfielder had a successful season at Bremen, scoring nine goals in 42 matches. He is incredibly skilful and thrives with the ball at his feet with space to run into.

Özil can play anywhere across the midfield or off the front man. In South Africa he is likely to play on the left. If he gets a chance I back him to shine.

Plenty of confidence in himself

Keisuke Honda

This 23 year-old wonderkid has had a peculiar career so far, playing in Japan and then moving to VVV-Venlo where he scored 21 goals in 52 appearances. These stats were backed up by some impressive displays and he soon attracted the attention of the Russian team CSKA Moscow whom he joined for 6 million Euros in December 2009.

He is a skillfull midfielder who can, at a push, play at left wing-back. He scores all manner of spectacular goals and is a bit of a free-kick specialist. Although with Nakamura in the team I doubt he will be taking many of those.

Expect him to get on the score sheet a couple of times in South Africa as he’s one of those players who really attempts to impose themselves on a game, shooting from anywhere.

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