The finest team made up of players from Spain, Netherlands, Chile and Australia.
With the 2014 World Cup less than two weeks away CaughtOffside is taking a look at each of the eight groups and determining the best starting XI for each one.
Today is the turn of Group B, which to many is the group of death with reigning champions Spain, Netherlands, Chile and Australia making up the quartet.
We have had a little bit of help from our friends at WhoScored to determine the statistically best XI, with a 4-4-2 formation – and it’s worth noting the website only covers the top leagues in Europe.
GK – Pepe Reina, Napoli (on-loan from Liverpool) and Spain- 6.90
May not be the No.1 choice for the Spaniards, but according to the stats Reina is not only the best goalkeeper in their squad but in the entire group, after a solid year on-loan with Napoli.
RB – Daniel Carvajal – Real Madrid and Spain – 7.20
Sold to Bayer Leverkusen in 2012, the right-back was back at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu just a year later and was a stalwart in the Copa del Rey and Champions League winning side.
LB – Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea and Spain – 7.26
A year ago not many would have thought Azpilicueta would have been in the Blues team, never mind the national squad, but a brilliant campaign on the left side of defence has assured just that.
CB – Sergio Ramos – Real Madrid and Spain – 7.48
There are players from other nations other than Spain we promise, but like Carvajal this defender played a big part in Madrid’s success and finally added a Champions League medal to his impressive CV.
CB – Gerard Pique – FC Barcelona and Spain – 7.49
OK the Spaniards don’t stop just yet and although Barca didn’t win any trophies last term for the first time since 2008, Pique continued to prove he is a world-class centre-back.
RM – Arjen Robben – Bayern Munich and Netherlands – 7.54
Finally a player not from Spain and this Dutchman has had yet another fine year with Bayern, scoring 11 goals and providing five assists as they won the Bundesliga title with a record six games to spare.
LM – David Silva – Manchester City and Spain – 7.53
For the second times in three season City won the Premier League title and that was largely thanks to the performances of this 28-year-old, who scored seven goals and provided nine assists.
CM – Arturo Vidal – Juventus and Chile – 7.43
The first non-European and a man who has dubbed himself the best box-to-box midfielder on the planet, which would seem arrogant if it weren’t true.
CM – Mile Jedinak – Crystal Palace and Australia – 7.55
You did read this correctly, the Palace and Australian captain is statistically the best players in the entire group and the country will be hoping he proves that in Brazil.
ST – Alexis Sanchez – FC Barcelona and Chile – 7.53
Despite finding chances at the Nou Camp frustratingly sparse at times, Sanchez showed that he can cut it with the best this term with 19 La Liga goals and 10 assists.
ST – Diego Costa – Atletico Madrid and Spain – 7.39
Not too long ago this striker would have been in the Brazilian squad, but then he wouldn’t have had people fighting for him either until scoring 27 league goals that helped Atleti to their first Spanish title in 18 years.
SEE ALSO: The 50 best players at the 2014 World Cup.