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Best goalkeepers in the world: Top 20
On the back of Mario Balotelli’s incredibly embarrassing weekend performance for Liverpool, we thought we’d compile a world XI of stars we think are vastly overrated.
Have any of these players been harshly selected?
GK) Iker Casillas – Real Madrid
There was once a time the Spaniard could rightly claim to be the world’s best goalkeeper. Despite being aged just 33 (a stopper’s prime), he’s totally lost it… Casillas hasn’t played consistently well for two seasons, and has often been left out of Real Madrid’s league side as a result; yet he’s still mentioned in the same breath as Manuel Neuer and Thibaut Courtois. He shouldn’t be.
DR) Dani Alves – Barcelona
Going forward, there’s few better right-backs around, but the Brazilian has benefitted enormously from playing in a side who nearly always have the ball. This has enabled him to get away with being totally lapse defensively, and during bigger games against more physical opponents, he’s often found out.
DL) Luke Shaw – Manchester United
England drafted the teenager into the World Cup squad ahead of legendary defender Ashley Cole, and Man United shelled out £27m for his services, too – making him the world’s most expensive fullback. He’s done nothing like the amount that should be required for those two accolades.
DC) Gerard Pique – Barcelona
Finally, people are beginning to realise that Pique might not be this otherworldly centre-back many have claimed him to be. The Spaniard has won everything with Barcelona and Spain, but – despite being excellent on the ball – is often a defensive liability. He’s been voted into the World Team of the Year on three occasions, but now, aged 27, has lost his place to natural midfielder Javier Mascherano at the heart of his team’s defence.
DC) David Luiz – PSG
The easiest pick of the lot. Arguably the most ill-disciplined, untrustworthy football superstar in the modern game, David Luiz is NOT a centre-back. His performance with Brazil during the World-Cup semi-final was arguably the most calamitous defensive performance seen by a player at that level of the game. His side lost 7-1, and then PSG decided to spend £50m on him.
MC) Kevin Prince-Boateng – Schalke
A player who’s highly rated because of the odd YouTube clip, big hair and cool tattoos. He’s lazy, scores irregularly, and isn’t mobile enough to contribute both offensively and defensively.
MC) Paulinho – Tottenham
The Brazilian cost Spurs huge money last summer, and he arrived with a lofty reputation. Yet by Christmas, his place in the side had been taken by teenage reserve team player Nabil Bentaleb. Despite this, he kept Premier League champion Fernandinho out of the World Cup team, and put in some shoddy performances. Now, Ryan Mason has his place in the Tottenham XI, yet he still gets called up to the Brazil squad.
AMR) Hulk – Zenit St. Petersburg
Hulk is tremendously powerful, but this is about all he offers. His entire game revolves around barging off his wing and trying to hit thunderbolts on his left foot. He can’t cross with his right, he isn’t quick, and he’s pretty immobile to boot – yet the Russian side still paid £40m for him.
AML) Mesut Ozil – Arsenal
Does a ‘world-class’ player ever go missing as much as Arsenal’s record signing? We’ve never seen it. At Real Madrid, Ozil formed a reputation of creating chances for teammates and racking up assists, but that probably had more to do with the fact Cristiano Ronaldo was on the receiving end. In his younger days, Ozil used to run with the ball too. Now, he sulks, walks around, and seemingly contributes little else – yet is forgiven for offering nothing because he’s a ‘special player’. How long will he be allowed to be rubbish?
FC) Mario Balotelli – Liverpool
What on earth is all the fuss with this lazy forward…? Granted, he once set off a firework in his own house, and he takes a good penalty, but his overall contribution to his team is next to useless. He doesn’t make runs, he makes awful decisions, he can’t finish, his attitude stinks and his head is normally down. AC Milan must have laughed all the way to the bank.
