Just which Premier League star was able to scrape into the 11 best players of their positions?
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French newspaper L’Equipe has revealed it’s World XI for 2014 but their list features just one Premier League star with La Liga and Bundesliga stars dominating.
The list, compiled by a vote from France based football journalists of their ideal squad of players from around the world, heavily features Bayern Munich and Real Madrid stars.
Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona playrers also feature but which Premier League star was able to break into the best XI?
GK) Manuel Neuer – Bayern Munich
The shot stopper has turned into more sweeper than keeper with the German star regularly seen outside his box as Bayern Munich continue to dominate match after match. Was instrumental to Germany’s world cup triumph in the summer.
RB) Philipp Lahm – Bayern Munich
Whilst Lahm features as a right back on the list, the majority of his club work came from the centre of midfield as Pep Guardiola devised a new position for the veteran and in his infinite footballing wisdom it was a complete success.
CB) Sergio Ramos – Real Madrid
The Spanish defender was crucial to his side’s success, literally, as he scored the stoppage time equalising goal to keep Real alive in their Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid.
CB) Mats Hummels – Borussia Dortmund
The German defender has been linked with just about ever club since the summer which speaks of his immense talent – his absence has certainly been felt by his club during this season with Dortmund sitting rock bottom of the Bundesliga whilst Hummels was out injured.
LB) David Alaba – Bayern Munich
The versatile defender has been put at left back in the world XI but could just as easily have popped up in another position and it not be a surprise.
CM) Xabi Alonso – Real Madrid / Bayern Munich
Only at Madrid could you go from midfield lynchpin to out of favour veteran in the space of a summer break and Real promptly flogged him to Bayern.
Yet the Spaniard has shown the Spanish giants just what they are missing by putting in assured midfield performances and bringing balance to the German side’s midfield.
LM) Toni Kroos – Bayern Munich / Real Madrid
Kroos’ move to Real whilst not wholly unexpected after his refusal to sign contract extension after extension stinks of a future regret from Bayern with the German international already becoming the beating heart of a Real side who have gone on a 22 game winning streak.
RM) Angel Di Maria – Real Madrid / Manchester United
The only Premier League star to make the list…and he spent more than half of the year at another club. But Di Maria’s form was crucial to Real’s successful European campaign and Argentina’s run to the World Cup Final, United fans will be hoping he can produce that sort of magic for them in his future years at Old Trafford.
RW) Neymar – Barcelona
Without Neymar in their squad Brazil crumbled under the pressure against Germany and were decimated 7-1 but the Brazilian has become just an important figure for Barcelona where he’s produced a deadly partnership with the next entry on L’Equipe’s list…
CF) Lionel Messi – Barcelona
Messi too was instrumental to Argentina and Barcelona but sadly came away empty handed in terms of trophies for both. However, the Argentine was able to cap off 2014 in style; breaking the scoring records for both La Liga and the Champions League.
LW) Cristiano Ronaldo – Real Madrid
2014 was truly the year of Cristiano Ronaldo who has scored and assisted an astonishing 34 goals for club and country since the start of the current season, scored his 72nd goal in the Champions League, won the Copa del Rey, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup, not to mention his Balon d’Or.