Redafe Champions League Draft - Ralaks v Feeky

[Theon]

Player Profiles

Edwin Van Der Sar
Don’t need to introduce this man here I think. Always dependable and a massive stalwart behind the back four.

Rafael
I know this draft looks at players at their pick so picking a player we’re likely to see improve over the next few seasons is perhaps odd, but I think he has shown the last season that he is more than able and equally good if not better than most of right backs around, especially his attacking play, which leads me to why I picked him. I’ve no fear that him and Becks wouldn’t work together, in fact I think they’d suit each other perfectly. Rafael will bomb forward and will always be able to depend on Becks working hard to help him out if he is caught out opposed to most other wingers who’d just stand and moan.

Ramos
Most people know him as a cnut, and yes he is. Equally good as right back and centre back, this works for him and my team very much. I can depend on him having great tactical knowledge of how to shield the goal if he is acting as a right back (Say in a scenario where Rafael is on one of his runs, and the opposition launches a counter attack). Rock solid at the back for Real Madrid, over the past years he has turned into their most vital defender and leads from the back.

Pique
Another one I barely need to introduce, people know him. As good a defender as he is with a ball at his feet. He’ll suit Ramos perfectly fine as he has shown winning the Euro 2012 together with him in central defense.

Capdevila
Another offensively minded full back, which is a vital part for me considering my wingers aren’t starting out as offensively as in most other formations. Euro and World Cup winner, being a guaranteed starter for both campaigns.

Beckham
Hardly need to introduce him either really. Fantastic striker of the ball, one of the best not only in this draft but ever. Hard working too, a big reason why we have been able to keep playing two central midfielders due to his hard work.

Keane
Captain. Dominating, I’ve no fear that he and Effenberg won’t be able to hold their own in a midfield two against most midfields.

Effenberg
Big part of the Bayern Munchen team of the late 90ies & early 00ies. I might just have two midfielders, but they are both so dominating, aggressive and powerful that it will feel like I’ve got more. One thing my central midfield for sure won’t lack is courage and will.

Overmars
Incredibly fast and two footed. Will always be a constant threat down the left wing, more offensively minded than Becks which means Capdevila will play a with a slightly more careful approach to things.

Del Piero
Legendary striker. 3rd most scoring Italian ever, joint 4th for their national team. Immense at free kicks too, where he is the leading Italian goalscorer. The goalkeepers won’t stand a chance with him and Becks waiting to take a freekick anywhere near the goal. His partnership with Trezeguet will work wonders too as they have shown in reality. 2007/2008 they finished as the two top goalscorers in Italy, 21 goals for Del Piero & 20 for Trezeguet.

Trezeguet
Highest ever foreign goal scorer for Juventus at 168. Euro 2000 winner with a golden goal, which shows he knows how to score even in high pressure situations such as a Euro final and especially an online football draft.

Higuain
Pipita. My super sub. Great finisher, one of the better and clinical ones around right now.

Partnerships

Rafael & Becks:
As I’ve mentioned before they would work so good together, both immense crossers of the ball. In the first game they’ll be up against a very attack minded Marcelo which would give me plenty of room on my right side. Rafael is great at offering help to the right midfielder in front of him so he’ll be perfect foil for overlapping Becks. Becks will also be told to use Overmars speed and send diagonal through balls for him to sprint onto.

Ramos and Pique:
Muscle and brain. Quite apt, not to say Ramos isn’t a great defender and very skilled at reading the game, but I expect them to have a similar relationship to Vidic and Ferdinand. They’ve played together before to great effect with the Spanish national team so I have no reason to worry here.

Keane and Effenberg:
Another vital part of my team, they will have to work together - or it will fall apart. I’ve covered them in their respective posts, it’s really a throwback to the good old days of when midfielders were men and not pansies who would pass their way out of trouble (or something). Both are dangerous coming late into box and especially Effenberg knew how to score from range.

Del Piero and Trezeguet:
I’ll be trying to emulate their seasons together for Juve where they scored plenty of goals together, especially the 07/08 season, their first season back in Serie A after they both stayed and helped Juve regain promotion from Serie B.

Team Ralaks​

 

[Theon]

VS ​

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Team Feeky​

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Spoiler

Formation: 4-4-2 Diamond, though extremely flexable

Style of play:
Team Feeky will be drilled on a philosophy of ball retention and chance creation. Some of the finest ball retainers of the era in Silva, Scholes and Deschamps in midfield will support two wonderful technical forwards in Bergkamp and Ibrahimovic. Natural partnerships at the back in Maldini and Lúcio, and up front in Bergkamp and Ibrahimovic are fused together by a trio of Scholes, Touré and Silva who should link up very well, and the whole thing is anchored by Deschamps. Providing the width are two excellent wing-backs in Srna and Marcelo, with both possession excellent crossing ability that will work very well with Ibrahimovic.

Head to Head:
Deschamps, Scholes, Touré can boss Keane and Effenberg in a 3-on-2, with Silva capable of making that 4-on-2 at times. Bergkamp and Ibrahimovic have the ability to terrorise a suspect central defence in Ramos and Pique. Srna and Marcelo can get at Rafael and Capdevila putting Ralaks on the back foot, whilst Maldini, Deschamps and Lúcio are both extremely capable of covering in defence when the wing-backs rampage forward, with Touré's endless energy and ability to get back quickly providing another safety clause.

Player Profiles

Iker Casillas
FIFA World's Best Goalkeeper 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. He has won both of those awards more than any goalkeeper ever. He's got the big-game temperament: everyone remembers the Champions League 2002 Final for Zidane, but at the other end Casillas - only a kid and years off his peak - made a string of remarkable saves late on. Outstanding in the one-on-one, like here, here, here, here and here, as well as his famous reflexes and penalty-saving expertise. Perhaps best summed up by the fact that there was a rumour Manchester City had bid £129m for him and it seemed pretty plausible, Casillas is one of the finest goalkeepers in history, has won everything in the game and is capable of winning matches almost on his own.

Darijo Srna
Arguably the finest crosser of a ball in world football, Srna is the most capped player in Croatian football history. Frequently amongst the top assisters in the Champions League, Srna provided an incredible 20 assists last season from wing-back. A sensational free-kick taker, Srna is one of the few wing-backs who can be said to be truly rock-solid in defence.

Lúcio
It's easy to forget now that he's back in Brazil, but Lúcio was perhaps the centre-back at his peak. Leverkusen's outstanding player on their way to the Champions League Final in 2002, Lúcio then spent 5 seasons at Bayern Munich, winning every trophy in Germany, before 3 at Inter where he was Mourinho's key lieutenant in the side that won it all. Superb at bursting out of defence, Lucio was also extremely strong in the one-on-one, frequently winning the ball from forwards running at pace.A beast in the air, adept on the ball, lightning fast and a big goal threat, Lúcio is a natural partner to Maldini at centre-back.

Paulo Maldini
The consensus greatest defender of his era, Maldini won the Champions League 5 times. Il Capitanowas one of the greatest readers of a game there has ever been - known for winning the ball through expert positioning rather than tackling, although he was a fine tackler when necessary. He was a graceful presence in possession coming out from the back and an absolute colossus in the air. Equally capable at left-back or centre-back, he slots in here on the left side of central defence.

Marcelo
My other wing-back is one whom Roberto Carlos called the world's best left-back and possessing "better technical ability than me." Praised too for his defensive skills by none other than Paulo Maldini, Marcelo is first-choice left-back for Brazil, and when fit has kept the £30m Fabio Coentrao out of the Real Madrid team. A tireless presence on the left-wing, Marcelo frequently bamboozles players with superb skill, renowned for his flicks and expert link-up play, Marcelo also uses his pace to great effect in defence, frequently cutting out attempted through balls, a strong winner of tackles and almost never getting caught in behind.

Didier Deschamps
Anchoring my midfield is the captain of the astonishing French team that won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 Euros, Deschamps saw success wherever he went. He captained Marseille to winning the 1993 Champions League, before moving to Juventus where he won the competition again in 1996, the same year he was awarded French Player of the Year over Zidane. Where there was success in the 1990's, Deschamps was there. Deschamps excelled at winning the ball, almost never gave it away and was indispensable to many teams that were not the same after he was gone.

Paul Scholes
Hailed by Zidane, Xavi and Guardiola as the greatest midfielder of his generation, by Messi as a "teacher" and by Sir Alex Ferguson as "the best player in England", Paul Scholes was an absolutely stunning footballer. "Scholes is the best central midfield player I have seen. He is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn't give possession away." - Xavi

Yaya Touré
The very definition of a box-to-box midfielder, Touré combines endless stamina with excellent running on the ball, excellent tackling and fine passing. Often seen gliding past players and playing the killer pass, Touré is just as adept at blocking opposition attacks. One of the world's best big-game players, Touré excelled for Barcelona in the 1009 Champions League Final at centre-back, before scoring in the 2012 FA Cup semi-finals and final for Manchester City as a midfielder, showing his remarkable range.

David Silva
One of the best playmakers in world football, it is testament to Silva's breathtaking abilities that he has forced his way into arguably the best international team in history. An ever-present in the Spanish team that won Euro 2012, Silva made the team of the tournament. Nicknamed Merlin by teammates for his passing skills and ball retention, Silva unlocks many a defence with his skill on the ball and passing ability. Comfortable on the wing, his real skill lies when he is placed behind the forwards with a strong midfield behind him, as such this line-up is perfect for maximising his phenomenal talent.

Wesley Sneijder
The UEFA Club Best Midfielder of 2010, Sneijder was the key player in the Inter team that won a historic treble. Sneijder possesses a terrific range of passing and is a constant goal threat from midfield. He is also a dead ball specialist and is perfect for terrorising tiring defences.

Dennis Bergkamp
One of the finest technical players ever, Bergkamp was amongst the best players of his whole generation. Schooled in Total Football, Bergkamp was comfortable anywhere, but excelled as the second striker. Runner-up in the Ballon d'Or in 1992 and 1993, Bergkamp was the top scorer in Euro 1992. Goals were not even the main strength of his game - his link-up play was unbelievable. The focal point of the Arsenal team that won the Double in 1998, Bergkamp scored some incredible goals whilst at the Gunners. Bergkamp is rated by most Arsenal fans as even better than the great Thierry Henry (see the comments here).

Zlatan Ibrahimovic
What a glorious footballer. Winner of titles where he goes, Ibrahimovic is excellent in the air, strong and agile, plays well with his back to goal and boasts some of the best finishing, ision, passing and ball control around. Good for 163 goals in his last 257 games (including 35 goals for the last two seasons running) as well as double digit assists in each of his last 6 seasons, Ibrahimovic has famously won league titles in 9 of his last 10 seasons. Like Cristiano Ronaldo, once derided as not showing up on the big occasion, Zlatan silenced critics by scoring and dominating the Milan Derby, El Classico, various Champions League ties, and for Sweden at the 2012 Euros where he was named to the team of the tournament. A scorer of great goals and a great goalscorer, Ibrahimovic will form a natural partnership up front with Bergkamp.

 

[Moby]

Feeky's fullbacks don't give much assurance against Ralaks' ace wingers to me.

 

[JaffyJoe]

The m,ost equally balanced team wise so far going to read the write ups now.

 

[Theon]

For a 4-4-2 midfield, which is always a risk in these games, Ralaks has made it extremely solid. Keano is the go to player for a two man midfield and Effenberg looks like another natural fit, has that ability to spread passes and help out offensively but unquestionably has the mentality for a 2 vs 3 out of possession.

 

[Feeky Magee]

Feeky's fullbacks don't give much assurance against Ralaks' ace wingers to me.

I've got Maldini at left centre-back, one of the best left-backs ever, who can cover Marcelo. Srna is a really good defender.

 

[Cutch]

Went for Ralaks. Think he has better width and the players to stretch the game. Ralaks fullbacks are relatively weak at this level but think they'll get a relatively easy ride while Rafael going forward should link up well with Becks. Think Ralaks front pairing will complement eachother better than Feekys. Not sure how well Bergkamp and Ibrahomovic would fare together, either would have been better paired with a small nippy forward

 

[JaffyJoe]

Need to read some tactics lads. Really hard to pick a lot of quality in both teams. I think Ralaks wins the midfield battle Feeky has more quality but which Scholes is is box to box or deep playmaker? That is quite important imo.

 

[Feeky Magee]

Need to read some tactics lads. Really hard to pick a lot of quality in both teams. I think Ralaks wins the midfield battle Feeky has more quality but which Scholes is is box to box or deep playmaker? That is quite important imo.

Playmaker. Touré is box-to-box.

 

[Fergus' son]

At first glance, feekys team looks odd to me, I too am not sure about the Bergkamp and Ibrahimovich partnership.

Ralaks' defence isn't the greatest IMO, I hate Ramos as a CB and Piqué has only really shown his excellence in teams that completely dominate possession, however they do have Keane and Effenberg protecting them which helps a great deal. Not sure if Trezeguet can get the better or Maldini however so much will depend on Beckham, Overmars and Del Piero creating clear cut chances.

 

[Feeky Magee]

Went for Ralaks. Think he has better width and the players to stretch the game. Ralaks fullbacks are relatively weak at this level but think they'll get a relatively easy ride while Rafael going forward should link up well with Becks. Think Ralaks front pairing will complement eachother better than Feekys. Not sure how well Bergkamp and Ibrahomovic would fare together, either would have been better paired with a small nippy forward

Bergkamp and Henry was one of the all-time great partnerships, Ibra is quite similar to Henry in many regards.

 

[Cutch]

I think Scholes could be a bit lost in Feekys system. Think he'd prefer more teammates out wide to switch play to than it being congested around him in the middle. Not sure if Bergkamp and Ibrahimovic will be making the type of runs he desires.

 

[Theon]

I think Scholes could be a bit lost in Feekys system. Think he'd prefer more teammates out wide to switch play to than it being congested around him in the middle. Not sure if Bergkamp and Ibrahimovic will be making the type of runs he desires.

Yeah I can see what you are saying there.

It will depend on how well his wingbacks can get forward, or as you say how well Ibra and Bergkamp run the channels. Pirlo has shown that a playmaker can play those types of Scholes like passes without playing a winger system, so if Feeky can get the right movement in his team then maybe Scholes will be okay and can stamp control on the game.

 

[Ralaks]

I will obviously mainly be relying on the wings/fullbacks to create and to a lesser extend Del Piero too. they will have a lot of space since they'll effectively be playing against just one player on the wings (yeah Maldini is a great centreback, but when he'll get dragged out to help Marcelo Trezeguet will be swift to use the space left behind).

I'd always fancy Rafael (who I think is pretty much equal to Marcelo in terms of level) and Beckham against Marcelo. Srna is a bit of an unknown quantity, not saying he isn't good (most players in this draft is), and he'll definately be on his toes against Overmars and Capdevila.

I don't expect my midfield to be dominated or bullied in any sense and as Theon says these two definately has the mentality to play in a 2 v 3 midfield situation, especially considering Becks is very hard working and not afraid of putting in his shift in winning the ball back.

I'll be depending on team work and balance to win games, and I'd say I have that covered. I think what will win this for me is the wings. I see no weak points in my midfield against his either.

 

[Thisistheone]

Ralaks has pulled off a 442. Very impressed

 

[Moby]

Ralaks has pulled off a 442. Very impressed

Yeah and the only way to do that was pick two proper all round powerhouse CMs early which he did and built the team around them. Fair play.

 

[Thisistheone]

Yeah and the only way to do that was pick two proper all round powerhouse CMs early which he did and built the team around them. Fair play.

He's also got a lot of good combinations. You can imagine Rafael and Beckham teaming up down the right. Ramos-Pique is the Spanish pairing, with a left back they know very well. Overmars-Beckham is similar to Giggs-Beckham. Pace one side, brilliant crossing and delivery from the other. Del Piero-Trezequet is proven & Effenburg-Keane is indeed powerhouse! Possibly lacks a little but of creativity/imagination but that's about it.

 

[Moby]

To be honest relatively this is the weakest defense so far we have seen. Rafael's had a great season but against some top names in the draft he could be found out. Both Ramos and Pique have a divided opinion on here. He's probably met the best opposition for him, with nothing going down the flanks to trouble his fullbacks and not the greatest fullbacks against his great wingers.

I think he should make it through this game but he should look to shore up those areas with reinforcements IMO.

 

[shaggy]

For me, Ralak's defence is weak, I don't rate Ramos and Pique much and Rafael still has a long way to go.

 

[Feeky Magee]

To be honest relatively this is the weakest defense so far we have seen. Rafael's had a great season but against some top names in the draft he could be found out. Both Ramos and Pique have a divided opinion on here. He's probably met the best opposition for him, with nothing going down the flanks to trouble his fullbacks and not the greatest fullbacks against his great wingers.

I think he should make it through this game but he should look to shore up those areas with reinforcements IMO.

I'm playing two very offensive wing-backs. As well as this Silva drifts out wide and gets to the byeline pretty regularly. He also used to be more of a straight winger and Sneijder has played there so that could be something I look to as the game goes on.

 

[Nighteyes]

It's a bit weakish yes but I think he could get away with it.

Rafael has no one to test him outwide so no concerns about him. Pique's main weakness is lack of pace and neither Ibra nor Bergkamp are all that quick. Ramos might be a weak link though

 

[Buchan]

After all the drooling and wanking about diamond formations and midfield-threes with the past two years, it seems the Caf' still can't see past a set of good wingers!

 

[Fergus' son]

I'm playing two very offensive wing-backs. As well as this Silva drifts out wide and gets to the byeline pretty regularly. He also used to be more of a straight winger and Sneijder has played there so that could be something I look to as the game goes on.

If Sneijder can play out wide I'd bring him on pretty soon for Toure and play with him and Silva cutting in from the wings.

 

[Moby]

After all the drooling and wanking about diamond formations and midfield-threes with the past two years, it seems the Caf' still can't see past a set of good wingers!

It's the power of the midfield 2 first that is making the whole thing look extremely stable and what is usually the downfall of a 4-4-2. I don't think many would consider those two getting overrun at all.

 

[Annahnomoss]

Ralaks hasn't even tried making any tactics so he loses by default as no team can play just by being placed on a pitch together.

 

[Fergus' son]

After all the drooling and wanking about diamond formations and midfield-threes with the past two years, it seems the Caf' still can't see past a set of good wingers!

You need some very good attacking full backs and strikers that work the channels to get away with it IMO. He has decent full backs but the wrong strikers.

Take out one of the central players and replace him with a player that can play off the wing and he'd have a decent set up, better than the one now...

 

[Fergus' son]

It's the power of the midfield 2 first that is making the whole thing look extremely stable and what is usually the downfall of a 4-4-2. I don't think many would consider those two getting overrun at all.

Not just that, Del Piero and Beckhams presence helps as they can clearly help out there too. This could easily be a 451 IMO.

 

[Feeky Magee]

What do people think about the role possession would play in this game? Scholes, Silva, Deschamps, Bergkamp and Touré would boss the possession I reckon, for all the undoubted talents of Keane and Effenberg they could get passed to death. Even more so after one of them loses the head and gets sent off.

 

[Feeky Magee]

If Sneijder can play out wide I'd bring him on pretty soon for Toure and play with him and Silva cutting in from the wings.

He started out as a winger, and I can see him being very capable as one who cuts inside regularly. I have a formation drawn up with Sneijder and Silva as wingers but I can't decide whether to take off Deschamps or Touré.

 

[Fergus' son]

What do people think about the role possession would play in this game? Scholes, Silva, Deschamps and Touré would boss the possession I reckon, for all the undoubted talents of Keane and Effenberg they could get passed to death. Even more so after one of them loses the head and gets sent off.

I'd say Keane is atleast as good as Deschamps in possession and he has Del Piero too, but I agree that with Scoles and Bergkamp you will see more of the ball. Don't think that would be a huge problem for Ralaks because I don't envisage him needing the lions share of possession to win this, but he hasn't outlines any tactics reaffirming this so can't vote for him.

From my pov, Ralaks nearly has my vote on personelle alone, but his lack of direction and your superior defence, plus Scholes, Bergkamp, two of the pls greatest, has kept you in it. Maldini is having a stormer preventing my vote for Ralaks so far.

 

[Fergus' son]

He started out as a winger, and I can see him being very capable as one who cuts inside regularly. I have a formation drawn up with Sneijder and Silva as wingers but I can't decide whether to take off Deschamps or Touré.

You'de have to sell Toure as the DM we saw at Barcelona, rather than the Toure at city and I'm not sure that will be entirely popular. I'd keep Deschamps, him and Scholes is good.

 

[Theon]

I think Maldini would be eating up Trezeguet on the floor, he was never a prolific dribbler and wasn't the fastest..

But he could head a ball extremely well and with Beckhams crosses that could prove decisive.

I agree with Fergus when he said the main threat is Overmars and Del Piero getting on the ball, more than Trezeguet himself. I actually think that Overmars is the biggest threat for Ralaks, along with Beckhams delivery.

 

[Buchan]

Another close game it has to be said. Feeky's defence, overall, is marginally better and I think his middle third would be that little bit too cute for Ralaks'. Up top, Del Piero and Tezeguet would work better than Bergkamp and Ibrahimovic, but Feeky's superior central-defence would cope with Ralaks' attack better than the other way around.

A tight call overall, and I think it could simply come down to personal preference in terms of formations. Lovers of traditional wingers will love the balance of Ralaks' side, whereas those who prefer to pass and move through the middle will opt for Feeky's when they see Scholes, Silva and Bergkamp in the one side.

Tricky one.

 

[Gio]

Who's your sub Feeky? It almost, like Nahealai's team, seems that it would be better as a 3-5-2. Marcelo and Srna would be excellent wing-backs. The formation won't necessarily win a lot of votes, but it would make more sense for me. The other option could be to go to a 4-2-3-1 if you've got a natural wide player to call upon - and both Capdevilla and Rafael in particular are vulnerable at this level.

I can see Ibra and Bergkamp causing issues for Ralaks' centre-halves. However, they might not get the right sort of service and it may end up as a clusterfeck in there. I can also see Feeky getting quite a lot of possession, but Ralaks' being fairly devastating on the counter.

 

[Theon]

Who's your sub Feeky? It almost, like Nahealai's team, seems that it would be better as a 3-5-2. Marcelo and Srna would be excellent wing-backs. The formation won't necessarily win a lot of votes, but it would make more sense for me. The other option could be to go to a 4-2-3-1 if you've got a natural wide player to call upon - and both Capdevilla and Rafael in particular are vulnerable at this level.

I can see Ibra and Bergkamp causing issues for Ralaks' centre-halves. However, they might not get the right sort of service and it may end up as a clusterfeck in there. I can also see Feeky getting quite a lot of possession, but Ralaks' being fairly devastating on the counter.

Yeah me too, that's why I reckon Overmars could be the key for Ralaks here - there isn't many better at causing mayhem on a counter attack, the guy was rapid.

 

[Feeky Magee]

Who's your sub Feeky? It almost, like Nahealai's team, seems that it would be better as a 3-5-2. Marcelo and Srna would be excellent wing-backs. The formation won't necessarily win a lot of votes, but it would make more sense for me. The other option could be to go to a 4-2-3-1 if you've got a natural wide player to call upon - and both Capdevilla and Rafael in particular are vulnerable at this level.

I can see Ibra and Bergkamp causing issues for Ralaks' centre-halves. However, they might not get the right sort of service and it may end up as a clusterfeck in there. I can also see Feeky getting quite a lot of possession, but Ralaks' being fairly devastating on the counter.

Sneijder. I already have Marcelo and Srna playing as wing-backs, with Deschamps dropping as they go forward. Considering Sneijder for a midfielder and playing Sneijder and Silva as wingers cutting inside.

Or I could drop Touré into a back 3 (played CB for Barca in the 2009 Champions League final and excelled but not proven long-term there), Srna and Marcelo as wing-backs, drop Silva more towards a midfield 3 and put Sneijder in the hole.

 

[Theon]

Sneijder. I already have Marcelo and Srna playing as wing-backs, with Deschamps dropping as they go forward. Considering Sneijder for a midfielder and playing Sneijder and Silva as wingers cutting inside.

Or I could drop Touré into a back 3 (played CB for Barca in the 2009 Champions League final and excelled but not proven long-term there), Srna and Marcelo as wing-backs, drop Silva more towards a midfield 3 and put Sneijder in the hole.

That would mean taking Deschamps off though?

You couldn't play a midfield three of Scholes/Silva/Sneijder - Keane and Effenberg would eat them alive.

If you are going to move to a 5-3-2 with Toure at the back then leave Sneijder on the bench and play Silva in the hole, with Deschamps next to Scholes in the middle.

 

[Feeky Magee]

That would mean taking Deschamps off though?

You couldn't play a midfield three of Scholes/Silva/Sneijder - Keane and Effenberg would eat them alive.

If you are going to move to a 5-3-2 with Toure at the back then leave Sneijder on the bench and play Silva in the hole, with Deschamps next to Scholes in the middle.

Wait, hang on, tried to sneakily play 12 players there.

 

[Theon]

Thought you had gone wrong somewhere then!

 

[Feeky Magee]

I'm leaning towards the first option. A lot of it comes down to whether people are more confident in Sneijder as a winger or Touré as a centre-back. Sneijder started out as a winger and has played there on occasion throughout his career, whereas Touré has only 2 or 3 times deputised at centre-back, but once in a Champions League Final and did very well.

I'd be more confident in Sneijder as a winger, plus I think it could be a big vote-getter as Ralaks's defence is really get-attable.