2010 World Cup Official Squad Lists

2010 World Cup Official Squad Lists...all 736 players

Algeria: 4-4-2
GK: Faouzi Chaouchi, Lounes Gaouaoui, Rais M'Bolhi
D: Nadir Belhadj, Majid Bougherra, Rafik Halliche, Abdelkader Laifaoui, Antar Yahia, Habib Bellaid, Carl Medjani
M: Ryad Boudebouz, Adlene Guedioura, Foued Kadir, Mehdi Lacen, Djamel Abdoun, Yazid Mansouri, Djamel Mesbah, Hassan Yebda, Karim Ziani
F: Rafik Djebbour, Abdelkader Ghezzal, Karim Matmour, Rafik Saifi
Argentina: 4-4-2
GK: Mariano Andjujar, Diego Pozo, Sergio Romero
D: Ariel Garce, Nicolas Burdisso, Martin Demichelis, Gabriel Heinze, Nicolas Otamendi, Clemente Rodriguez, Walter Samuel
M: Mario Bolati, Jesus Datolo, Angel Di Maria, Jonas Gutierrez, Javier Mascherano, Javier Pastore, Maxi Rodriguez, Juan Sebastian Veron
F: Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi, Diego Milito, Carlos Tevez
Australia: 4-2-3-1
GK: Adam Federici, Brad Jones, Mark Schwarzer
D: David Carney, Scott Chipperfield, Mark Milligan, Craig Moore, Lucas Neill, Luke Wilkshire, Michael Beauchamp
M: Mark Bresciano, Carl Valeri, Richard Garcia, Tim Cahill, Jason Culina, Brett Emerton, Vince Grella, Brett Holman, Mile Jedinak, Dario Vidosic
F: Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell, Nikita Rukavytsya
Brazil: 4-3-2-1
GK: Doni, Heurelho Gomes, Julio Cesar
D: Dani Alves, Gilberto, Juan, Lucio, Luisao, Maicon, Michel Bastos, Thiago Silva
M: Elano, Felipe Melo, Gilberto Silva, Josue, Julio Baptista, Kaka, Ramires, Kleberson
F: Grafite, Luis Fabiano, Nilmar, Robinho
Cameroon: 4-4-2
GK: Souleymanou Hamidou, Carlos Kameni, Guy Roland N'dy Assembe
D: Gaetan Bong, Rigobert Song, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Sebastien Bassong, Geremi, Nicolas Nkoulou
M: Landry N'Guemo, Aurelien Chedjou, Achille Emana, Eyong Enoh, Jean Makoun, Georges Mandjeck, Stephane Mbia, Alex Song, Joel Matip
F: Vincent Aboubakar, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Samuel Eto'o, Mohamadou Idrissou, Pierre Webo
Chile: 3-3-1-3
GK: Claudio Bravo, Miguel Pinto, Luis Marin
D: Pablo Contreras, Mauricio Isla, Gonzalo Jara, Waldo Ponce, Arturo Vidal, Ismael Fuentes
M: Carlos Carmona, Marco Estrada, Matias Fernandez, Gary Medel, Rodrigo Millar, Gonzalo Fierro, Rodrigo Tello
F: Mark Gonzalez, Jean Beausejour, Jorge Valdivia, Fabian Orellana, Esteban Paredes, Alexis Sanchez, Humberto Suazo
Denmark: 4-3-3
GK: Stephan Andersen, Thomas Sorensen, Jesper Christiansen
D: Patrick Mtiliga, Daniel Agger, Lars Jacobsen, Simon Kjaer, Per Kroldrup,
M: Mikkel Beckmann, Thomas Enevoldsen, Christian Eriksen, Daniel Jensen, Martin Jorgensen, Thomas Kahlenberg, William Kvist, Christian Poulsen, Jakon Poulsen, Simon Poulsen, Dennis Rommedahl, Jesper Gronkjaer
F: Nicklas Bendtner, Soren Larsen, Jon Dahl Tomasson
England: 4-2-3-1
GK: David James, Joe Hart, Robert Green
D: Rio Ferdinand, John Terry, Ashley Cole, Stephen Warnock, Glen Johnson, Ledley King, Matthew Upson, Jamie Carragher
M: Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Aaron Lennon, Gareth Barry, Michael Carrick, Joe Cole, James Milner
F: Wayne Rooney, Jermaine Defoe, Peter Crouch, Emile Heskey
France: 4-4-2
GK: Cedric Carrasso, Hugo Lloris, Steve Mandanda
D: Eric Abidal, Gael Clichy, Patrice Evra, Bacary Sagna, William Gallas, Mark Planus, Anthony Reveillere, Sebastien Squillaci
M: Alou Diarra, Abou Diaby, Yoann Gourcuff, Florent Malouda, Franck Ribery, Jeremy Toulalan, Mathieu Valbuena
F: Thierry Henry, Andre-Pierre Gignac, Sidney Govou, Djibril Cisse, Nicolas Anelka
Germany: 4-4-2
GK: Manuel Neuer, Tim Wiese, Jorg Butt
D: Marcel Jansen, Dennis Aogo, Holger Badstuber, Jerome Boateng, Arne Friedrich, Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker, Serdar Tasci
M: Toni Kroos, Thomas Muller, Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Piotr Trochowski, Sami Khedira, Marko Marin
F: Cacau, Mario Gomez, Stefan Kiessling, Miroslav Klose, Lukas Podolski
Ghana: 4-1-3-2
GK: Daniel Agyei, Richard Kingson, Stephen Ahorlu
D: Lee Addy, Rahim Ayew, Samuel Inkoom, John Mensah, John Paintsil, Hans Sarpei, Isaac Vorsah, Jonathan Mensah
M: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Anthony Annan, Stephen Appiah, Kwadwo Asamoah, Andre-Dede Ayew, Sulley Muntari, Kevin-Prince Boateng
F: Matthew Amoah, Derek Boateng, Asamoah Gyan, Prince Tagoe, Qwusu-Abeyie Quincy
Greece: 4-3-3
GK: Kostas Chalkias, Michalis Sifakis, Alexandros Tzorvas
D: Giourkas Seitardis, Stelios Malezas, Sotirios Kyrgiakos, Vangelos Boras, Avraam Papadopoulos, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Sikos Spiropoulos, Vasilis Torosidis, Loukas Vyntra
M: Christos Patsatzoglou, Sakis Prittas, Giorgos Karagounis, Kostas Katsouranis, Sotiris Ninis, Alexandros Tziolis
F: Pantelis Kapetanos, Angelos Charisteas, Fanis Gekas, Dimitris Salpigidis, Georgios Samaras
Netherlands: 4-5-1
GK: Maarten Stekelenburg, Michel Vorm, Sander Boschker
D: Khalid Boulahrouz, Edson Braafheid, John Heitinga, Joris Mathijsen, Giovanni Van Bronckhorst, Gregory Van Der Wiel, Andre Ooijer
M: Ibrahim Affelay, Nigel De Jong, Demy De Zeeuw, Wesley Sneijder, Mark Van Bommel, Rafael Van Der Vaart, Stijn Schaars
F: Eljero Elia, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Dirk Kuyt, Arjen Robben, Robin Van Persie, Ryan Babel
Honduras: 4-4-2
GK: Ricardo Canales, Donis Escober, Noel Valladares
D: Osman Chavez, Maynor Figueroa, Emilio Izaguirre, Sergio Mendoza, Johnny Palacios, Mauricio Sabillon, Victor Bernandez, Oscar Garcia
M: Julio Cesar De Leon, Amado Guevara, Ramon Nunez, Wilson Palacios, Hendry Thomas, Danilo Turcios
F: Walter Martinez, Carlos Pavon, David Suazo, Georgie Welcome
Italy: 4-2-3-1
GK: Gianluigi Buffon, Morgan De Sanctis, Federico Marchetti
D: Salvatore Bocchetti, Fabio Cannavaro, Giorgio Chiellini, Domenico Criscito, Gianluca Zambrotta, Leonardo Bonucci, Christian Maggio
M: Mauro Camoranesi, Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso, Claudio Marchisio, Angelo Palombo, Andrea Pirlo, Ricardo Montolivo, Simone Pepe
F: Antonio Di Natale, Alberto Gilardino, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Giampaolo Pazzini, Fabio Quagliarella
Ivory Coast: 4-4-2
GK: Boubacar Barry, Aristide Zogbo, Daniel Yeboah
D: Benjamin Angoua, Souleymane Bamba, Arthur Boka, Guy Demel, Emmanuel Eboue, Siake Tiene, Kolo Toure, Steve Gohouri
M: Gervinho, Jean-Jacques, Abdelkader Keita, Romaric, Cheik Ismael Tiote, Yaya Toure, Didier Zokora
F: Aruna Dindane, Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Seydou Doumbia, Emmanuel Kone
Japan: 4-2-3-1
GK: Eiji Kawashima, Seigo Narazaki, Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi
D: Daiki Iwamasa, Yuichi Komano, Yasuyuki Konno, Yuto Nagatomo, Yuji Nakazawa, Marcus Tulio Tanaka, Atsuto Uchida
M: Yuki Abe, Yasuhito Endo, Makoto Hasebe, Keisuke Honda, Junichi Inamoto, Daisuke Matsui, Kengo Nakamura, Shunsuke Nakamura
F: Kisho Yano, Takayuki Morimoto, Shinji Okazaki, Yoshito Okubo, Keiji Tamada
Mexico: 4-2-3-1
GK: Luis Michel, Guillermo Ochoa, Oscar Perez
D: Efrain Juarez, Jonny Magallon, Rafael Marquez, Hector Moreno, Ricardo Osorio, Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Salcido, Paul Aguilar, Jorge Torres Nilo
M: Pablo Barrera, Adolfo Bautista, Israel Castro, Giovani Dos Santos, Andres Guardado, Gerardo Torrado, Alberto Medina
F: Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Guillermo Franco, Javier Hernandez, Carlos Vela
New Zealand: 3-4-3
GK: James Bannatyne, Glen Moss, Mark Paston
D: Andrew Boyens, Tony Lochhead, Ryan Nelsen, Winston Reid, Ben Sigmund, Tommy Smith, Ivan Vicelich, Dave Mulligan
M: Jeremy Brockie, Jeremy Christie, Aaron Clapham, Andy Barron, Leo Bertos, Tim Brown, Chad Coombes, Simon Elliott
F: Rory Fallon, Chris Killen, Shane Smeltz, Chris Wood
Nigeria: 4-1-3-2
GK: Dele Aiyenugba, Austin Ejide, Vincent Enyeama
D: Dele Adeleye, Elderson Echiejile, Chidi Odiah, Danny Shittu, Taye Taiwo, Joseph Yobo, Rabiu Afolabi
M: Lukman Haruna, Dickson Etuhu, Nwankwo Kanu, John Obi Mikel, Kalu Uche, Sani Kaita, Yusuf Ayila
F: Obafemi Martins, Chinedu Obasi, Victor Obinna, Peter Odemwingie, Yakubu Aiyegbeni, John Utaka
North Korea: 5-3-2
GK: Ju Kwang-min, Kim Myong-Gil, Ri Myong-guk
D: Cha Jong-hyok, Ji Yun-nam, Nam Song-chol, Pak Chol-jin, Pak Nam-chol, Ri Jun-il, Ri Kwang-chon, Ri Kwang-hyok, Pak Sung-hyuk
M: An Young-hak, Kim Kuk-jin, Kim Kyong-il, Kim Yong-jun, Mun In-guk, Pak-Nam-chol, Ri Chol-myong
F: An Chol-hyok, Choe Kum-chol, Hong Yong-jo, Jong Tae-se, Kim Kum-il, Kim Myong-won
Paraguay: 4-4-2
GK: Diego Barreto, Aldo Bobadilla, Justo Villar
D: Antolin Alcaraz, Carlos Bonet, Julio Cesar Caceres, Denis Caniza, Paulo Da Silva, Claudio Morel Rodriguez, Aureliano Torres, Dario Veron
M: Edgar Barreto, Victor Caceres, Nestor Ortigoza, Cristian Riveros, Jonathan Santana, Enrique Vera
F: Lucas Barrios, Edgar Benitez, Oscar Cardozo, Rodolfo Gamarra, Nelson Haedo Valdez, Roque Santa Cruz
Portugal: 4-3-3
GK: Eduardo, Beto, Daniel Fernandes
D: Ricardo Costa, Bruno Alves, Duda, Miguel, Paulo Ferreira, Pepe, Ricardo Carvalho, Rolando
M: Deco, Fabio Coentrao, Miguel Veloso, Pedro Mendes, Raul Meireles, Tiago
F: Danny, Cristiano Ronaldo, Liedson, Hugo Almeida, Nani, Simao
Serbia: 4-4-2
GK: Bojan Isailovic, Vladimir Stojkovic, Andjelko Djuricic
D: Branislav Ivanovic, Aleksandar Kolarov, Aleksandar Lukovic, Antonio Rukavina, Neven Subotic, Nemanja Vidic, Ivan Obradovic
M: Milan Jovanovic, Gojko Kacar, Milos Krasic, Zdravko Kuzmanovic, Nenad Milijas, Milos Ninkovic, Radosav Petrovic, Dejan Stankovic, Zoran Tosic
F: Danko Lazovic, Marko Pantelic, Nikola Zigic, Dragan Mrdja
Slovakia: 4-3-1-2
GK: Jan Mucha, Dusan Kuciak, Dusan Pernis
D: Jan Durica, Peter Pekarik, Martin Petras, Kornel Salata, Martin Skrtel, Radoslav Zabavnik
M: Marek Cech, Marek Hamsik, Jan Kozak, Kamil Kopunek, Juraj Kucka, Marek Sapara, Miroslav Stoch, Zdeno Strba, Vladimir Weiss
F: Filip Holosko, Erik Jendrisek, Stanislav Sestak, Robert Vittek, Martin Jakubko
Slovenia: 4-4-2
GK: Jasmin Handanovic, Samir Handanovic, Aleksander Seliga
D: Miso Brecko, Bostjan Cesar, Branko Ilic, Bojan Jokic, Matej Mavric, Marko Suler, Elvedin Dzinic, Suad Filekovic
M: Valter Birsa, Andrej Komac, Robert Koren, Rene Krhin, Aleksander Radosavljevic, Dalibor Stevanovic
F: Tim Matavz, Zlatko Dedic, Andraz Kirm, Zlatan Ljubijankic, Milivoje Novakovic, Nejc Pecnik
South Africa: 4-1-3-2
GK: Moeneed Josephs, Itumeleng Khune, Shu-Aib Walters
D: Matthew Booth, Bongani Khumalo, Anele Ngongca, Siboniso Gaxa, Tsepo Masilela, Aaron Mokoena, Nasief Morris, Siyabonga Sangweni, Lucas Thwala
M: Thanduyise Khuboni, Lance Davids, Kagisho Dikacoi, Rene Letsholonyane, Teko Modise, Steven Pienaar, MacBeth Sibaya, Siphiwe Tshabalala
Surprise Moriri, Katlego Mphela, Bernard Parker, Siyabonga Nomvete
South Korea: Jung Sung-Ryong, Kim Young-kwang, Lee Woon-jae
D: Kim Hyung-il, Cha Du-ri, Cho Yong-hyung, Kim Min-soo, Lee Jung-soo, Lee Young-pyo, Oh Beom-seok
M: Kim Bo-kyung, Ki Sung-yong, Kim Dong-jin, Kim Jung-woo, Kim Nam-il, Lee Chung-yong, Park Ji-sung, Kim Jae-sung
F: Ahn Jung-hwan, Yeom Ki-hun, Lee Dong-gook, Lee Seung-yeoul, Park Chu-yong
Spain: 4-1-3-2
GK: Iker Casillas, Pepe Reina, Victor Valdes
D: Raul Albiol, Alvaro Arbeloa, Joan Capdevila, Carlos Marchena, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Sergio Ramos
M: Sergio Busquets, Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta, David Silva, Xabi Alonso, Xavi, Javi Martinez
F: Fernando Torres, Juan Mata, Jesus Navas, David Villa, Pedro, Fernando Llorente
Switzerland: Diego Benaglio, Johnny Leoni, Marco Wolfli
D: Stephane Grichting, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Ludovic Magnin, Philippe Senderos, Steve Von Bergen, Mario Eggimann, Reto Ziegler
M: Tranquillo Barnetta, Valon Behrami, Gelson Fernandes, Benjamin Huggel, Gokhan Inler, Marco Padalino, Xherdan Shaqiri, Pirmin Schwegler
F: Albert Bunjaku, Eren Derdiyok, Alex Frei, Blaise Nkufo, Hakan Yakin
Uruguay: 3-5-2
GK: Juan Castillo, Fernando Muslera, Martin Silva
D: Mauricio Victorino, Martin Caceres, Jorge Fucile, Diego Godin, Diego Lugano, Maxi Pereira, Andres Scotti
M: Sebastian Eguren, Walter Gargano, Nicolas Lodeiro, Alvaro Pereira, Diego Perez, Egidio Arevalo Rios, Alvaro Fernandez, Ignacio Gonzalez
F: Sebastian Abreu, Edinson Cavani, Sebastian Fernandez, Diego Forlan, Luis Suarez
United States: 4-4-1-1
GK: Brad Guzan, Marcus Hahnemann, Tim Howard
D: Oguchi Onyewu, Clarence Goodson, Jay DeMerit, Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Bornstein, Jonathan Spector
M: Jose Torres, Damarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Stuart Holden, Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, Michael Bradley
F: Herculez Gomez, Robbie Findley, Edson Buddle, Jozy Altidore

Carling Cup: Was it really the most likely title for the Gunners for the 09-10 season?

As an idealist, I must say I am starting to believe the Carling Cup was one of our least likely bids for a title this season. We are all painfully aware of the fact that Arsene is stubborn in his philosophy to use youth and reserve players in the Carling Cup; the media likes to remind us every week. How was it likely that we were going to win it while Chelsea throw on Didier Drogba for 45 minutes in their match at Ewood Park? If we put the match into context, Manchester City had just tied a string of matches; seven to be exact—making history. Mark Hughes put all of his eggs in one basket because he was simply fed up with the winning drought he and his Arab bosses were feeling. Adebayor, Tevez, Bellamy, SWP, and the list goes on. The side Manchester City played would be the same if they were playing in the FA Cup Final, rather, playing for the premiership. The light blues style of play is convoluted. It can be compared with a side that an oblivious 16-year-old boy playing FIFA would put on his all-star team to beat his 11-year-old sister with.
Now, credit must given to the quality of the goals that were scored. Tevez' goal was a result of dreadful defending from Arsenal supporters' favorite, Eboue, and the veteran Silvestre. His goal crashed and ricocheted off the crossbar and the inside of the post, reminiscent of Drogba's graceful touch that broke the 0-0 deadlock at the Emirates last Sunday. In the 70th minute, it was Shaun Wright-Phillips who scored a superb solo-effort goal that got me asking: why didn't we try to sign him earlier? We know his step-father quite well, don't we?
I can say with delight that our defense will look different when we face Stoke at home this Saturday. Clichy needs to heal swiftly because the fragility of Traore will always be exposed at this point. He has attacking prowess, but after seeing him bounce of Drogba, his strength on the ball needs significant improvement if he is set to replace Gael in the future.

On another note, the world cup draw is in less than 24 hours...For what it's worth, here are my predictions:

Group A: Holland, United States, Cameroon, Serbia
Group B: Germany, Australia, Chile, Switzerland
Group C: Spain, South Korea, Ghana, Denmark
Group D: Brazil, New Zealand, Algeria, France
Group E: Argentina, Honduras, Nigeria, Greece
Group F: Italy, Japan, Paraguay, Slovakia
Group G: South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, Slovenia
Group H: England, North Korea, Ivory Coast, Portugal

May the draw go the way of the United States and South Korea.

Newcastle 3-1 Middlesbrough: Shearer's Successor Lifts Newcastle Out of Relegation Zone

St. James' Park erupted after Mike Dean's final whistle signaled Newcastle's victory over Middlesbrough. Newcastle had to come from behind to get the job done on Monday night. Boro striker Tuncay Sanli scored an early, scrappy goal to give his side the lead. Newcastle-bred centre-back Steven Taylor then pounced on a well-placed Guthrie corner to level the score.

In the 70th minute Alan Shearer made a crucial substitution by taking off Michael Owen and replacing his former teammate with Obafemi Martins. After being on the pitch for 55 seconds, the Nigerian thunderbolt scored the tie-breaking goal in front of the crazed Newcastle supporters. Danish forward Lovenkrands sealed the deal in the 84th minute, securing the three points for the bar coded outfit.

How fitting it is that the Newcastle number 9 became Newcastle's savior. Just three years ago Shearer called it quits from the Premiership. The man that so boldly took his number was Obafemi Martins, a player who has been on-and-off since his Tyneside arrival from the San Siro. However, tonight the good omens associated with the coveted number were displayed as Martins netted the all-important goal.

This match was the apex of the relegation situation in the Premiership. With two matches to play, goal differential is certainly going to play a major factor.

Bottom of Table:

P GD Pts

16. Sunderland -17 36

17. Newcastle -17 34

18. Hull City -24 34
19. Middlesbrough -28 31
20. West Brom -29 31

Matches Remaining:

Sunderland

@ Portsmouth

v. Chelsea

Newcastle

v. Fulham

@ Aston Villa

Hull City

@ Bolton

v. Manchester United

Middlesbrough

v. Aston Villa

@ West Ham Utd

West Brom

v. Liverpool

@ Blackburn

Today Hull City entered the relegation zone for the first time during the season. With these fixtures in mind, you make the call.

Plans for Moderated Amounts of Foreign Players Hinders Premier League

On May 21, 2005, Frenchman Patrick Vieira held the glorious FA Cup trophy in front of Arsenal’s 35,000 fans at Cardiff’s monstrous Millennium Stadium. The Gunners, one of England’s clubs with an admirable history, started only one English player that afternoon against Manchester United. German goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, Ivorian defender Kolo Toure, Swiss defender Philippe Senderos, Cameroonian defender Lauren, Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, French midfielder Patrick Vieira, Brazilian midfielder Gilberto Silva, French left winger Robert Pires, Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp and Spanish striker Jose Antonio Reyes were the ten non-Englishman that claimed a decisive penalty-kick victory over the Red Devils from Manchester. Ashley Cole was the lone defender whose passport reflected the country in which he played in.
Restrictions on nationalities of players would harm the Premier League’s reputation and taint the laws of employment set by European governance.
The hyper-injection of foreign talent in the English Premier League has raised questions among influential members in the international soccer community. Michel Platini and Sepp Blatter, presidents of UEFA and FIFA, continue to express their discontent regarding clubs losing their national identities. As much as it brings about a mild cringe when reading about these powerful men’s claims, I welcome their philosophies because the laws set by the European Union will most certainly protect this tragic prospect from coming about. Football clubs are establishments that should be concerned about player development first and foremost.
Although Chelsea were the first English team to field an entirely foreign starting 11, Arsenal are frequently used as an example of an “abuse” of foreign talent. Arsenal’s manager, Arsene Wenger, has been defiant on this issue.
“I feel I am responsible for quality and to develop players,” Wenger said.
“But I cannot say to a player, 'You are good enough but you cannot play because you don't come from the right place'.”
I believe Wenger’s statements are extremely valid. The game is based in the responsibility to produce the highest quality performances possible. To prohibit a player from moving to a club for the sole reason that he is not English would be tarnishing the league’s reputation.
“The purpose is to push the level of the game as high as we can to give people entertainment,” Wenger said.
“"It would kill the Premiership at the moment for being the best league in the world, certainly. Why? Because you can see a massive reduction in the quality if you have less choice, whether it is at Bolton or at Arsenal. To choose between 200 million players or 50 million players, it is worse. It is as simple as that.”
The English League is considered the strongest because of its financial and marketing success, which in turn brought world-class talent from all over the globe to the league. If England’s best players are remaining in the league, than they are also benefiting because they are playing with great players. They will develop more quickly the way the system is now. The point is this: if an English player is good enough for Arsenal, Liverpool or Manchester United than he will play.
Martin Samuel of The Daily Mail outlined major cup winners and the amount of English players who were in action each night. When Liverpool won the Champions League in 2005 in Istanbul, they started just two Englishmen (Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher). Manchester United won the Champions League last season with six Englishmen. Finally, West Ham United won the European cup-winners’ cup in 1965 with an entire English starting 11. Champions League successes and the amount of ethnically homogeneous players is obviously a non sequitur.
"We must protect the national identity of clubs," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said. "Clubs no longer have their own national players in their ranks, and we need to strengthen the clubs and then the national teams."
Blatter has an extremely valid point. If the managers in all of the prestigious clubs are constantly looking abroad for talent instead of building up the youth in their own country, then certainly there is need to have concern over the future of English football.
Blatter proposed the “6+5 rule” last May. The rule, which now has the backing of 155 of FIFA’s 208 member nations, states that each club must start six players that are eligible to play for the country of their club. Although Blatter gained the majority among the FIFA member nations, his proposal will not penetrate EU law.
Article 39 of the amended European Commission Treaty states:
“Freedom of movement for workers shall be secured within the Community. Such freedom of movement shall entail the abolition of any discrimination based on nationality between workers of the Member States as regards employment, remuneration and other conditions of work and employment.”
Experts from the Institute for European Affairs argue that the “6+5 rule” does not collide with article 39. The rule would be implemented solely for sports use; it’s all for the progress of the game.
As the Institute for European Affairs believes the “6+5 rule” will enhance the game, I believe quite the opposite. Players always have a shot at claiming their national identity by playing for their national teams. Club football is about establishing teams that can work together and produce the best football possible regardless of where players come from.
Henry Winter of The Telegraph wrote a column outlining the claims that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard made fearing the future of the English national team. The article was published on Nov. 17, 2007. Gerrard was making these claims at a time when England were struggling to qualify for Euro 2008 and eventually, they ended up not qualifying – national devastation.
Look at England now. They are at the top of group six with a five-point lead over second place Croatia. I believe England was at a time with bad management under Steve McClaren and their fear and anxiety for their national side turned into the Premier League being blamed. Fabio Capello has seemed to turn the national team around with his Italian hard-nosed style. People are still complaining about the amount of foreign players, but the cries are being heard from the UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, not in England.
The Arsenal players piled on each other that rainy Saturday afternoon regardless of the multitude of countries they call home. In the words of Patrick Vieira after winning the FA Cup, “We came here to play football and win.” As uninventive as that may sound, isn’t that why we watch the game? Football is the “beautiful game”, not an ethnically moderated association.

United Outclass Arsenal in Every Deparment

As a good friend of mine reminded me, you can not only bring news and analysis when times are swell. This is one of those times when everything in me does not want to enclose my thoughts on yesterday's semifinal. It will be brief.
Going into the semifinal Arsenal knew they were going to be playing in the most important game in their history since the 2006 final in Paris. Wenger's emphasis on the players was based in them playing with freedom and enjoyment. I think his philosophy was appropriate because Manchester United and Arsenal know each other inside and out.
The first five minutes were sharp for the Gunners ending in a deflected shot from Fabregas. For the next 85 minutes, United would dominate and outplay Arsene's army in every department. Park Ji-Sung capitalized on Gibbsy's slip in the box. All hope that every Arsenal fan had was surely extinguished after Ronnie's bullet free kick. As much as I think Almunia could have got his gloves behind the ball more quickly, it was a rocket. Four goals against Manchester United is not only asking you to climb a mountain, it's asking you to climb Everest, twice.
There is nothing that is pleasant about the thought of this match. Manchester United claimed their first victory at the Emirates, they ended our undefeated record in the Champions League at the Emirates and they now have the chance to be the first club to win the Champions League consecutively. As an Arsenal supporter, my last glimmering hope would be for Barcelona to win it all. I don't want Manchester United to continue hogging the podium and I don't want Chelsea to be the first London club to win the Champions League. Perhaps Henry will get what he deserves. Shame it won't be with Arsenal.

Champions League Preview: Two Storied Clubs Clash

It's late April and this can only mean that the clash between final exams and heart-throbbing champions league play begins, and I welcome it.
The Daily Mail posted an article today about Jose Mourinho's analysis on the two match ups. As eager as I was to see what the "special one" had to say about his former club and, of course, Arsenal, I was disappointed in the end. Mourinho disclosed some steamy anecdote about how he told Lamps that he was the best midfielder in the world while Frank he was in the shower. His words hold weight and according to the Portuguese maestro, his words change his players and effect their performance. His response: Just look at Zlatan this year after I told him he was the best striker in the world. My response: How many goals did Zlatan score against Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16? Better yet, how many did your team score?
Regarding the meeting between Arsenal and Manchester United, Jose had one crucial point. Arsenal will need to score in the first leg at Old Trafford in order to have a realistic shot at traveling to Rome for the second time this year. To the dismay of Arsenal supporters over the world, Arshavin will not be playing next week after he told the Russian press that he will score five goals at Old Trafford on May 16.
In other news, Robin Van Persie and Gael Clichy are highly doubtful to play next week in the semifinals. This is devastating but I will not go as far to say we are out of contention with Manchester United without them. with Toure, Silvestre, Sagna, and Gibbs holding the back line we have potential to defend effectively and prevent the powerful United attack from getting out of control. Here are a couple of notable match ups to be aware of:
1. Bacary Sagna & Cristiano Ronaldo: Sagna is an under-rated right back in the Premier League. He is capable of making mistakes and you don't have to think back too far to remember one. At Anfield on Tuesday his dreadful cross landed on Kuyt's laces, eventually Dirk would place the ball on El Nino's head. The ball was then past Fabianski's gloves before he could say "Polksa".
Cristiano Ronaldo is Cristiano Ronaldo; we all know what the lad's capable of. However, it is worth it to mention he's not on form like he was last season. Then again, no one really has ever been on the form like he was last season. 41 goals for a winger is a feat that only greats can fathom.
2. Adebayor & Rio Ferdinand: Adebayor had a patchy start to the season but he is beginning to show signs of invincibility. His goal against Villareal showed to me that he is either in his prime or just on the verge of it. Adebayor's strengths are in his ability to maintain balance on the ball, maintain control of the ball, while he simultaneously sprints past defenders seemingly effortlessly. One defender that has the potential to be a formidable foe for Adebayor is Rio Ferdinand. Rio and Vidic have formed an unbreakable barricade this 2008-09 campaign. Rio defends with patience and intensity while Nemanja Vidic seems to defend with his heart. Few teams have found goals at Old Trafford this season and it will be up to Adebayor to produce divine performances, therefore, breaking the norm.

As an Arsenal supporter it's almost hard to believe that a 2006 final replay is one step away. As soon as my dreams evade me I realized how great of a step it is to make the final. The road to the Champions league is an arduous one with it's mid-season struggles and injury pile-ups. Arsenal's path to the semifinal stage was not flawless. Finishing second in the group the Gunners could only manage three wins in the group stages. Manchester United's path to the final was also not a graceful one. United must have caught Arsenal's draw disease with four draws out of the six group fixtures. With only ten points in the group stage the Red Devils were lucky to finish top of the group ahead of Villareal.

After 180 minutes, with injury time more like 190, a finalist will be crowned. United are definitely in higher spirits after their victory over Portsmouth and after, ironically, Arshavin banged in four at Anfield. United are a game in hand and three points ahead of Liverpool. The psychological battles are surely taking their toll on both sides because Arsenal theoretically have everything to play for in the Champions League. With a fourth spot in the Premier League looking secure the Gunners must only be thinking about one thing and that is to be crowned the first team in London to win European club's first and most prestigious honor.

For now I will continue to bask in the glory of Arshavin's four goal masterful performance. Once Wednesday rolls around, I'll be prepared. I hope you all have a laugh at Arsenal's wonderful Fanzone rep Ali May, especially after Arshavin's fourth. Have a great weekend everyone.