There Is Only One Sinnacle

Even I put Spain on top of Portugal because they are scary good. Also like how Vicente Del Bosque named not four by five goalies to fight it out for the final three spots. All five could start for a lot of other countries.

Spain provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Jose Reina (Liverpool), Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid) Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao) Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona).

Forwards: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia) Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Dani Guiza (Fenerbache) Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC) and David Villa (Valencia).

My guess for the final 23 – Boy this is going to be tough.

Goalkeepers: Iker Casillas (Real Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), Jose Reina (Liverpool) Victor Valdes (Barcelona).

Defenders: Raul Albiol (Real Madrid), Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid) Cesar Azpilicueta (Osasuna), Joan Capdevila (Villarreal), Gerard Pique (Barcelona), Carles Puyol (Barcelona), Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid).

Midfielders: Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid), Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal), Andres Iniesta (Barcelona), Marcos Senna (Villarreal), David Silva (Valencia), Xavi (Barcelona).

Forwards: Santi Cazorla (Villarreal), Jesus Navas (Sevilla), Juan Manuel Mata (Valencia) Pedro Rodriguez (Barcelona), Alvaro Negredo (Sevilla), Fernando Torres (Liverpool FC) and David Villa (Valencia).

Good Bye to – David De Gea (Atletico Madrid), Diego Lopez (Villarreal), Carlos Marchena (Valencia), Sergi Busquets (Barcelona), Dani Guiza (Fenerbache) Fernando Llorente (Athletic Bilbao), Javi Martinez (Athletic Bilbao)

I like it….then again I’m a homer. You’ll also noticed I put this post on top of my previous Italian one. It makes me feel better. I like the fact Danny and Perdo Mendes have their ticket booked to the World Cup. Sporting’s João Moutinho didn’t make it to the final roster. I’ve been waiting for over four years for Moutinho to take over from Deco and he was never able to grab the brass ring. 1 goal in 25 goals and no memorable moments to speak of in a Portugal shirt should get you left off the roster.

Goalkeepers: Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga)

Defenders: Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia)

Midfielders: Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon)

Forwards: Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg).

It doesn’t come as a shock to me that the King of Rome Francesco Totti wasn’t included in his 30 man list for the World Cup. Much like Brazilian coach Dunga, Marcello Lippi has his players and while Totti was one of those players in 2006 he didn’t answer the call in the four years following so it can’t come as a shock that Lippi didn’t try to coax him back one final time.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)

Defenders: Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Mattia Cassani (Palermo), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa)

Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Simone Pepe (Udinese)

Forwards: Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Marco Borriello (Milan), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria).

My predictions for the final 23

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Napoli), Salvatore Sirigu (Palermo)

Defenders: Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), , Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Grosso (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Mattia Cassani (Palermo),

Midfielders: Andrea Pirlo (Milan), Gennaro Gattuso (Milan), Daniele De Rossi (Roma), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Simone Pepe (Udinese)

Forwards: Fabio Quagliarella (Napoli), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria).

Good Bye to – Federico Marchetti (Cagliari), Christian Maggio (Napoli), Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Antonio Candreva (Juventus), Andrea Cossu (Cagliari), Giuseppe Rossi (Villarreal), Marco Borriello (Milan)

French side Marseille are being linked with a move for Manchester City forward Robinho. The Brazilian has spent the past five months on loan at Santos. imscouting.com

I’m very interested to see how Manchester City gets out from under the Robinho mess. Do they try to trade him for another player and if not how much can they get in the form of a transfer fee. You know Manchester City are going to keep their fingers crossed hoping Robinho has a great World Cup.

A Chinese internet gaming tycoon is in talks to buy Liverpool according to Chinese media reports on Wednesday. (AFP)

Have a feeling there will be a lot of “tycoons” looking to buy Liverpool until it’s time to cut the cheque.

Manchester United and Bayern Munich are leading the chase to sign CSKA Moscow’s £15m-rated Serbian winger Milos Krasic. goal.com

Both me down as a fan for Milos Krasic who would do a job for either team. Hopefully he won’t get hurt like former team mate Yuri Zhirkov did upon going to Chelsea and never getting a shot the rest of the way.

Bayern Munich are lining up a move for Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov. footylatest.com

Bayern Munich can then feature the two most dissapointing strikers in Europe with Berbatov and Marip Gomez.

Tottenham are preparing a £12.7m bid for AC Milan’s Dutch striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar. footylatest.com

Have a feeling that Tottenham looks a lot better for Klass Jan Huntelaar after his forgettable 18 months.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has set his sights on Lyon’s abrasive 26-year-old Lyon midfielder Jeremy Toulalan, who is part of France’s World Cup squad. Caughtoffside.com

Never been the biggest Toulalan fan but he does fit the bill of what Arsenal need.

Liverpool are weighing up an £8m swoop for Valencia’s 21-year-old Argentine midfielder Ever Banega, who has been likened to former Reds favourite Xabi Alonso. Caughtoffside.com

Not a chance Valencia sells Ever Banega for 8 million considering they paid double that two years ago.

The Anfield side are set to offload £20m signing Alberto Aquilani, who has failed to make an impact. Liverpool are bracing themselves for a huge loss on the midfielder. Daily Mirror

I liked the Aquilani to Liverpool signing way back when. Wish I could take it back now.

Chelsea are planning a summer clear-out to raise funds for new signings, with Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Juliano Belletti and Paulo Ferreira all set to leave the Premier League champions. The Times

I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned but so I’m going to get it off my chest now. Paulo Ferreira must have one hell of an agent. Going into his last year of his contract in 2008 he was handed a new five year deal. Amazing considering he wasn’t even making the bench under Avram Grant back then. You know Chelsea is playing well so I’m sure if they want to get rid of Ferreira who to be fair did a good job for them this year they would be eating a fair amount of his deal.

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp will bring England goalkeeper David James, who he worked with at Portsmouth, to White Hart Lane on a free transfer in the summer. Daily Mirror

Wonder how David James is going to handle being on the bench more often than not?

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini is lining up a move for Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik and Inter Milan striker Mario Balotelli. The Times

Mancini has always liked Hamsik going back to his Inter days so could see this happening. We all know about the link between Mancini and Balotelli.

Manchester United midfielder Owen Hargreaves stormed out of Old Trafford after being left out of the side to face Stoke on Sunday. Hargreaves had hoped to force his way into Capello’s squad. The Sun

I like Owen Hargreaves, I like the big he plays big in big games but in no way did he deserve to be named onto the World Cup squad.

I did enjoy how Diego Maradona made members of the press wait and wait til he released his 30 man list for the World Cup. Personally I’m sad neither Lucho Gonzalez nor Lisandro Lopez made the list but considering the depth up front it was to be expected. It will be interesting to see if Martin Palermo makes the final cut. He made the 30 man roster thanks to his injury time goal to clinch a World Cup berth for Argentina. Wonder if Maradona will reward Palermo with a place in the final World Cup squad.

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catania), Diego Pozo (Colon)

Defenders: Nicolas Burdisso (Inter Milan), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Fabricio Coloccini (Newcastle), Juan Manuel Insaurralde (Newell’s Old Boys), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garce (Colon)

Midfielders: Javier Mascherano (Liverpool), Sebastian Blanco (Lanus), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Jesus Datolo (Olympiacos), Jose Sosa (Estudiantes), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina), Juan Mercier (Argentinos Juniors), Angel Di Maria (Benfica), Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Javier Pastore (Palermo)

Forwards: Sergio Aguero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Lionel Messi (Barcelona), Ezequiel Lavezzi (Napoli).

Raymond Domenech would make the perfect old school wrestling manager just give me a beret and he’d be money. The man just knows how to rub people the wrong way. The latest twist is leaving Karim Benzema
off the list of 30 who will fight to win a place for the World Cup. What I did like about Domenech squad is he named four goalies for three spots. No easy rides for any of the four goalies called.

I’m sure if you comb through my site you’ll find tons of things I’m wrong about but never the less I’ll copy and paste the things I am right about.

From my June 18th EPL Gossip post

EPL Gossip June 18th

These Benzema to insert team here rumours annoy me. Benzema has never made a request to move and when he talks about his future the player mentions Spain as his preferred destination. Benzema playing game in and game out for Lyon makes him a lock for the French national team come next years World Cup. Raymond Domenech has always held a soft spot for players playing in Lique 1. Moving to Manchester for example where he could become the 3rd striker isn’t the smartest option prior to a World Cup year.

On the list of 30 Domenech has chosen. Not even going to attempt a guess into who Domenech will pick for the final 23.

Goalkeepers –

Hugo Lloris Olympique Lyonnais
Steven Mandanda Olympique de Marseille
Cedric Carrasso Girondins de Bordeaux
Mickael Landreau Lille

Defenders

Rod Fanni Stade Rennais
Patrice Evra Manchester United (ENG)
Eric Abidal Barcelona (ESP)
Adil Rami Lille
William Gallas Arsenal (ENG)
Sebastien Squillaci Sevilla (ESP)
Bacary Sagna Arsenal (ENG)
Anthony Reveillere Olympique Lyonnais
Marc Planus Girondins de Bordeaux
Gael Clichy Arsenal (ENG)

Midfielders

Alou Diarra Girondins de Bordeaux
Lassana Diarra Real Madrid (ESP)
Jeremy Toulalan Olympique Lyonnais
Franck Ribery Bayern Munich (GER)
Yoann Gourcuff Girondins de Bordeaux
Florent Malouda Chelsea (ENG)
Yann M’Vila Stade Rennais
Abou Diaby Arsenal (ENG)

Forwards

Thierry Henry Barcelona (ESP)
Nicolas Anelka Chelsea (ENG)
Djibril Cisse Panathinaikos (GRE)
Sidney Govou Olympique Lyonnais
Hatem Ben Arfa Olympique de Marseille
Mathieu Valbuena Olympique de Marseille
Jimmy Briand Stade Rennais
Andre-Pierre Gignac Toulouse

You would of made yourself a pretty penny if you had Hatem Ben Arfa going to the World Cup instead of Karim Benzema a year ago.

There was a feel good story to be had here. Charlie Davis who by all accounts is a well liked memember of the National team has had his World Cup hopes dashed by Bob Bradley. What a lift it would of been to the rest of these American players to see all of Davis hard work pay off. Let’s also be honest here, the only time a team will feature all 23 players is if they win the first two games and have nothing to play for in the 3rd group stage match. I’d love to see the U.S beat England but something tells me the U.S will not be in this position. With that the case you can carry an extra body on the team, at least Charlie Davis should of been given a run out with the National team before the decision to drop him was made. Below are the 30 players who will fight for the chance to make the World Cup team.

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway), Chad Marshall (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Heath Pearce (Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England).

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro, Sweden), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Stuart Holden (Bolton, England), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus), Jose Torres (Pachuca, Mexico).

Now for my picks as for the final 23.

Goalkeepers: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa, England), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton, England), Tim Howard (Everton, England).

Defenders: Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes, France), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover, Germany), Jay DeMerit (Watford, England), , Chad Marshall (Columbus), Oguchi Onyewu (AC Milan, Italy), Heath Pearce (Dallas), Jonathan Spector (West Ham, England).

Midfielders: DaMarcus Beasley (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Michael Bradley (Borussia Moenchengladbach, Germany), Ricardo Clark (Eintracht Frankfurt, Germany), Clint Dempsey (Fulham, England), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles), Maurice Edu (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland), Benny Feilhaber (AGF Aarhus, Denmark), Stuart Holden (Bolton, England).

Forwards: Jozy Altidore (Hull, England), Edson Buddle (Los Angeles), Brian Ching (Houston), Herculez Gomez (Puebla, Mexico).

So long too : Clarence Goodson (IK Start, Norway) Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro, Sweden) Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA) flip between Kljestan and Holden, Robbie Rogers (Columbus), Jose Torres (Pachuca, Mexico) Robbie Findley (Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris, Greece)

This shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone that Dunga has left out the old guard of Ronaldinho, Adriano and Ronaldo plus the likes of Pato or Neymar. Dunga is very loyal to the players who fit in his system (looking at you Gilberto Silva and Julio Baptista) so it doesn’t shock me that the Brazilian players who feature in Mike ads didn’t make the cut. Smart move by Dunga naming his 23 man team as it would cruel to the likes of Ronaldinho to invite him to the training camp only for him to be one of the final cuts. Also interesting to see how former Manchester United flop Kleberson has earned a called up back to the World Cup due to his play with Flamengo.

Goalkeepers
Julio Cesar Inter (ITA)
Heurelho Gomes Tottenham (ENG)
Alexander Doni Roma (ITA)

Defenders
Maicon Inter (ITA)
Daniel Alves Barcelona (ESP)
Gilberto Cruzeiro
Michel Bastos Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
Lucio Inter (ITA)
Juan Roma (ITA)
Luisao Benfica (POR)
Thiago Silva AC Milan (ITA)

Midfielders
Gilberto Silva Panathinaikos (GRE)
Felipe Melo Juventus (ITA)
Kaka Real Madrid (ESP)
Julio Baptista Roma (ITA)
Josue Wolfsburg (GER)
Kleberson Flamengo
Elano Galatasaray (TUR)
Ramires Benfica (POR)

Forwards
Robinho Santos
Luis Fabiano Sevilla (ESP)
Nilmar Villarreal (ESP)
Grafite Wolfsburg (GER)

Needless to say it isn’t Real Madrid but Toronto FC are planning to play a friendly against Bolton on July 21st. The bright side to this is TFC fans won’t be paying Real Madrid type money as the game Bolton should be included under their season ticket package.

On some level will find it interesting how a TFC team in mid season form will fair against an EPL club very much starting their season. Aside from that don’t think many casual fans are going to get geared up for Bolton making their way to BMO field.

All England all the time as the press will go over Capello’s preliminary World Cup roster with a fine tooth comb.

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Michael Dawson, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock.

Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Scott Parker, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Jermain Defoe, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

I was just thinking how good you have it if your a goalie in this squad. Your ticket to South Africa is already booked as every coach brings three goalies. Provided you can keep fit you don’t have to worry about being cut. Out of the list of 30 these are the players I’ll predict will travel to South Africa.

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart, David James, Robert Green.

Defenders: Leighton Baines, Jamie Carragher, Ashley Cole, Rio Ferdinand, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, John Terry,

strong>Midfielders: Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Aaron Lennon, James Milner, Theo Walcott, Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Forwards: Darren Bent, Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey, Wayne Rooney.

Going home – Michael Dawson, Matthew Upson, Stephen Warnock, Tom Huddlestone, Adam Johnson, Scott Parker, Jermain Defoe (Flipped a coin between him and Darren Bent.)