Plenty of world class players, but did they all deserve to be nominated for their performances in 2014…
The world was left stunned last night, when David Luiz was included in the FIFA World XI for 2014. The decision sparked outrage on social media, and left us thinking… who else was lucky just to be nominated?
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Now, before you all get annoyed with the choices below, we’re not saying these are bad players, on the contrary, they are all world class stars. We’re just questioning they’re inclusion in the 2014 vote. Here us out, and see who made our ‘Worst World XI’ below:
GK) Iker Casillas (Real Madrid)
Spent much of last season fighting for his place in the team with Diego Lopez, a battle that has continued this term with Keylor Navas. His form, until recently, has been indifferent, and he was at fault during Spain’s World Cup elimination.
RB) Dani Alves (Barcelona)
His influence in the Barcelona team has begun to wear thin over the last twelve months, and he was heavily linked with a move away from the Camp Nou during the summer transfer window. Was ditched by Brazil in favour of Maicon in the latter stages of the World Cup.
LB) Filipe Luis (Chelsea)
Impressed in Atletico’s run to the La Liga title and the Champions League final last year, but was not even deemed good enough to make Brazil’s World Cup squad, and has spent much of this season on the Chelsea bench, in favour of Cesar Azpilicueta.
CB) David Luiz (Paris Saint Germain)
Spent the first-half of the year unable to find a place in the Chelsea team. He then led the Brazil team that were mauled 7-1 by Germany in their World Cup semi-final, and he’s since been part of a very mixed start to the season for PSG after his record transfer.
CB) Gerard Pique (Barcelona)
Has attracted plenty of criticism for his performances over the last year, with his spot in both his club and international side coming into question. His form has picked up more recently, but in all 2014 was a forgettable year for Pique.
DM) Xavi Hernandez (Barcelona)
Still a player capable of moments of class and quality, but considering the fact that he’s become more of a squad player for Barcelona over the last year, his inclusion could be arguably be marked down as a surprising one.
CM) James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
Doesn’t this always happen, a player has an excellent World Cup – an excellent five games – and becomes a household name. Outside of that, his form for both Monaco – in the first half of the year – and with Real Madrid in the second half of 2014, has not been that of a £60m player.
CM) Mesut Ozil (Arsenal)
Where do we even start with this one? A player much maligned for not living up to expectations as part of the Arsenal team, and a player that spent much of the latter half of 2014 injured. But like Rodriguez, he had a decent World Cup.
RW) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Part of a Manchester United team that hit an all new low under David Moyes, finishing seventh in the Premier League, and part of an England team that failed to make it past the group stage of the World Cup. He did alight personally, but surely not THAT well.
LW) Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)
Missed the World Cup through injury and has played just five league games so far this season, with Dortmund still stranded in the relegation zone in Germany. Started the year well, but only picked up a DFL-Supercup winner’s medal.
ST) Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich)
Munich and Dortmund battled hard to secure his signature. But based on 2014, we’re wondering what all the fuss is about. Sure, he’s got bags of quality, but his return of 10 goals in 24 games for Munich pails in comparison to the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Aguero, Costa etc.
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