One of my passions is football’s history. Couple this with my love of the Football Manager game series, and it makes for many a interesting discussion with my friends. Especially those who have as much of an appreciation of football’s past. Lately, I have spent ample time on YouTube watching classic football matches. I have mostly been watching whatever matches I can find from the 1950s, as footage of those are difficult to come by, that is longer than two or three minutes long. But thanks to that, and the Guardian’s Joy of Six column, I have been inspired to tackle the idea of building a team.
I have often speculated, but not really put to paper, my ideal football squad. Mostly because it seems like there would be a lot of variables to factor in. What sort of a philosophy is this team built around? Is it a side that can relentlessly attack? Or are they stingy in defense? Do they play a short passing game like Barcelona or a more English style direct passing game? Do they play a more aesthetically pleasing, entertaining brand of football? Or do they grind out results using physical play to counter-act any opposition tactics? So many questions have to be asked, before putting effort into building the sort of team that fits your vision.
One of the hardest parts about this, to me, is setting up a format upon which to build this team. What formation do I want to use? How many substitutes do I want available? Those two factors, more than anything, create limitations for how to build a team to one’s liking. My friend Preben has challenged me to build this team with only one substitute. However, I do not feel that this would suffice. Given that the modern game includes five substitutions, I think this should be the parameter to use for building this squad.
For my formation, I am thinking that a 4-4-2 is the best shape for the team I want to build. As far as shape is concerned, I have am not sure that I want to deviate from the standard flat positioning. With that in mind, I will not venture into putting players into specific roles. It will just be the standard forwards, midfielders, defenders, and keeper. With that in mind, we should get to the team.
Forwards
Ferenc Puskas – I would pick Puskas for both his killer instinct as a finisher, and his vision, movement, and leadership. As far as appearances to goals ratio, few equal Puskas at both the club and international level. He was a major force for Hungary during their “Mighty Magyars” period in the early to mid 1950s. Not to mention a part of the Real Madrid teams that won the European Cup in 1959 and 1960.
Dennis Bergkamp – With a sublime first touch, and vision that to create scoring chances at will. Bergkamp was an efficient finisher himself. During his club career, he scored 234 goals. During his time at Arsenal, alone, he set up 124 goals. His goals to assists ratio during this period was 120:124. That’s almost a goal for every assist. I cannot think of a better foil for Puskas, than Bergkamp, in terms of their creativity and goal-scoring ability.
Midfield
Garrincha – Between his pace and his amazing footwork, there is really very little to say about him. Garrincha would routinely make anyone who attempted to mark him look sluggish and lost. The fluidity of his movement, the precision of his feints, and the ability to make every defender within ten feet of him chomp at everything he threw at them, more than proves his place. With the space he created, by his movements with the ball, he could draw the defense out for Bergkamp and Puskas to create trouble in their final third.
Duncan Edwards – Edwards is considered by many, including Sir Bobby Charlton, to be the greatest football they had ever seen. He was a hard-working two-way midfielder. He could tackle. He could pass. He could shoot. He had a versatility to play virtually any outfield position needed of him. Had he not been killed in the Munich Air Crash, many people believe that he would have led England to World Cup glory before 1966. Despite all of the what-ifs, the limited footage of Edwards that exists online, is barely the tip of the iceberg, when it comes to him.
Giuseppe Meazza – Meazza’s legend in Italy looms large, especially in Milan. As both as striker and a midfielder, he was quite the accomplished goal-scorer. He also had a proficiency with his feet, in his movements and his passes. More importantly, he was one of the biggest names in football, of his generation. He was the one of the driving forces behind Inter and Italy’s successes during the 1930s.
Sir Tom Finney – While he may not have won a glut of hardware as a player, there is a lot to be said for Finney. He was the Football Writers Association’s player of the year for 1953-54 and 1956-57. He spent his entire career playing at the Deepdale, for Preston North End. For his diminutive stature, he had pace and was a master at dribbling around defenders. In a lot of ways, his leadership, pace, vision and concentration made him as much of a legend that his loyalty did.
Defenders
Phil Neal – Was steadfast in the full back role for Liverpool as it transitioned from the era of Bill Shankly into the era of Bob Paisley and European domination. He captained Liverpool during the late 70s, and spent a good period of his early career at Anfield as the primary penalty taker. His ability as a passer, in terms of setting up play, or holding up play cannot be denied.
Roger Byrne – He was known for being a hard working full back who chose to use intelligence over physicality to dictate his style of play. His ability to read play meant that he found a way to put himself into position to disrupt any attack that came his way. He captained Manchester United to three League titles the 50s, and was a regular member of the England squads of that period. His leadership and guile made him gained him respect both on and off the pitch.
Franz Beckenbauer – Beckenbauer redefined the role of a full back. He would regularly move forward with the attack. He was a natural leader, and he took charge whenever he was on the pitch. Every team he played for won everything they competed for. Most likely due to Beckenbauer’s influence. Again, this is something that cannot be understated. As much as he was an innovator, he was a leader. For that reason, I believe I have to give him the armband.
Emlyn Hughes – One thing that this team is missing, is a hard man. Hughes was a physical presence who helped to define the Liverpool teams of the mid to late 1970s. He was known for his temper, and his tackling. Something that I feel that this team lacks. We need a stronger physical presence to compliment the beauty of those who play ahead of him.
Goalkeeper
Oliver Kahn – Widely considered to be one of the greatest keepers to ever play the game. He helped lead Bayern Munich to ample success, as well as Germany to Euro success. He led Bayern to the European Cup, and ample Bundesliga titles. He is widely respected by his peers and critics alike. Including being named goalkeeper of the year multiple times. His ambition, that helped this teams be so successful, is one of the main reasons why I feel that he should be in goal for my team.
Substitutes will follow later.
Substitutes will follow later.
