WITH ONLY 9 DAYS TO THE KICK OFF FOR 20TH EDITION OF FFA WORLD CUP IN BRASIL ALL THE 32 COACHES HAVE ANNOUNCED THEIR 23 MAN SQUAD BUT EACH TEAM HAS A SURPRISE PLAYER ..... Ten risky World Cup selections Youthful promise? Erik Durm, DF, Germany After just one season as a Bundesliga player, Durm has made an exceptionally late surge to replace Borussia Dortmund colleague Marcel Schmelzer for both club and country at left-back; he is also capable of playing as a left-winger, too. So late, in fact, was this surge that his full international debut came in Sunday nights 2-2 draw with Cameroon in his clubs own stadium. After a solid performance there is now a high possibility that Durm, the youngest member of Jogi Loews squad, may even start the tournament. Schmelzer was cut from the squad on Monday and the choice of left-back remains wide open. Antoine Griezmann, FW, France Griezmanns selection for France was not much of a surprise, but Didier Deschamps has turned to a player who has never kicked a ball in French league football and only made his debut for Les Bleus in March. His contribution from the left wing to Real Sociedads adventures in reaching the Champions League brought him to prominence. Though he was actually banned from representing any French national team for 12 months until Dec. 31, 2013, after a curfew-breaking night out with U21 colleagues, he is now free to take his chance in Brazil. Scored his first senior international goal on Sunday against Paraguay. Memphis Depay, FW, Netherlands Louis van Gaals belief in youth is one of the main reasons for Manchester United placing faith in him. However, his Dutch squad relies considerably on veterans like Robin van Persie, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, Wesley Sneijder and Dirk Kuyt reproducing peak form that may well lie in the past. Depay, PSV Eindhovens winger, who has been heavily linked with joining Van Gaal at Old Trafford, can provide a youthful antidote after an excellent season for his club. Luke Shaw, DF, England Roy Hodgson made sure that the selection of his final 23 was not going to send shock waves. The selection of Southamptons teenager was the wild card, though, especially when Ashley Cole preceded the announcement by letting it be known that he would not be going to Brazil. That Leighton Baines pulled up with a slight calf problem against Peru introduced the idea that Shaw may yet start for England in Manaus against Italy. For someone as risk-averse as Hodgson, and despite Shaws talent, it now looks something of a gamble. Will they be ready? Kolo Toure, DF, Ivory Coast When news escaped that Toure has succumbed to malaria again after making a trip to his countrys capital, Abidjan -- he suffered a bout in 2008 -- it seemed likely that he would miss out on his countrys third World Cup in succession. However, he remains in Sabri Lamouchis squad, perhaps by dint of his experience and influence on the squad. As the summers transfer speculation has proved, brother Yaya likes to have friendly faces around him. Vidal is the man upon whom Chiles World Cup hopes rest. Will he be fit in time? Vidal is the man upon whom Chiles World Cup hopes rest. Will he be fit in time? Arturo Vidal, MF, Chile It is not just the Uruguayans who have been agonising over a knee meniscus problem to their star player. Vidal, without doubt Chiles kingpin, had an operation two weeks ago on his right knee, at least placing him ahead of Luis Suarezs current rehab schedule. He takes his place in Jorge Sampaolis squad despite possibly mixed feelings from club Juventus. If he stars this summer, then Juve could sell him for more money. On the other hand, a relapse may prevent business being done. Roman Shirokov (Russia) After his nightmare time with England in 2010s World Cup, Fabio Capello might have learned not to take unnecessary risks with injured players. In South Africa, Ledley King broke down and Gareth Barry was clearly unfit, but Shirokov will go to Brazil with Russias squad despite a nagging Achilles problem that has prevented him playing since April 26. Capello clearly believes he cannot do without his captain. Antonio Cassano, FW, Italy Cassano is Italian footballs perpetual comeback kid. He is the beneficiary of Giuseppe Rossis failure to prove his fitness and sharpness to Cesare Prandelli after the Fiorentina strikers latest knee injury. Instead, the Italian coach selected a forward who performed well for him at Euro 2012, notably in tandem with Mario Balotelli. Cassanos move to Parma has regenerated him; also, his continuing problems with his waistline have been countered by giving up his favourite type of Italian bread. Fernando Torres, FW, Spain It is clear that Vicente del Bosque does not share the same view of Torres as Jose Mourinho or, say, many of Chelseas supporters. The strikers ability to hold up the ball has been trusted ahead of that of Alvaro Negredo, whose fade at Manchester City cost him dearly. Diego Costas hamstring problem may mean that Torres starts, unless del Bosque goes with a false nine. And thats despite a truly horrendous miss of an open goal against Bolivia on Friday night. Jo, FW, Brazil Premier League observers find it difficult to consider that the lanky striker who looked so lost at Manchester City and Everton is now a mainstay of Luiz Felipe Scolaris squad. Scolari hardly rang the surprises with his selections but Jo, despite being a striker who won the Copa Libertadores in 2013 with Atletico Mineiro, probably points to a severe lack of options in his position if Fred fails to fire.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Jun 2014 14:17:55 +0000
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