FIFA World Cup 2014 Fantasy XI Poll

A World Cup Fantasy XI has been voted by readers of DESIblitz.com.

Over the past few weeks, DESIblitz.com conducted an on-line poll where football fans could decide their fantasy team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, consisting of eleven best players from around the globe.

The original list of players were selected by award-winning British Asian lifestyle publication, DESIblitz.com.

Each player was selected based on their performance at club level over the past year. Thirty-three players were chosen and entered into the final poll.

Readers were allowed to vote one player in the goalkeeper, right back, left back, right winger and left winger categories.  However it was mandatory to vote two players under each of the following three categories: centre back, midfield and strikers.

There were not many surprises in the final XI with favourites, Lionel Messi and Thiago Silva making the cut.

The fight for a place in goal was a close one separated by just 1%. With 36% of the votes, Germany and Bayern Munich’s Manuel Neuer beat Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois between the posts.

With a massive 74%, Germany’s dependable Philipp Lahm was voted in at right back. The Bayern Munich star had been a huge part of their record breaking season in the Bundesliga.

At centre back, Brazil’s Thiago Silva won with 31% of the votes. The world’s most expensive defender has been a rock in defence for Paris St Germain in 2014. Alongside him is Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany who received 27% of the votes. Silva and Kompany have arguably been the two best centre backs in recent years.

Completing the back four is Barcelona’s left back Jordi Alba who won 49% of the votes. The Spanish giants have not had good year domestically but at only 25, Alba has cemented his place at the international level.

On the right wing, Netherlands Arjen Robben won 68% of the votes. The pacey winger is always a threat and is any full back’s worst nightmare. On the left, with 50% of the votes, is Belgium’s Eden Hazard. The Premier League’s Young Player of the Year was Chelsea’s top scorer this season and will be one to watch out for in Brazil.

In the centre of midfield, the Premier League duo of Yaya Touré from the Ivory Coast (43%) and England’s Steven Gerrard (18%) were selected. The Liverpool legend has been an instrumental captain for club and country this year and is one of England’s most vital players.

Leading the deadly attack are the two best players in the world; Lionel Messi (40%) from Argentina and Cristiano Ronaldo (32%) from Portugal. Ronaldo has scored an astonishing fifty-five goals in forty-five appearances this year.

With the fantasy XI selected, the formation of the team set out is a basic 4-4-2. This tactic is commonly used by many international managers. However the popular 4-3-3 is also preferred by many foreign coaches as more of an attacking option.

The more offensive formation has let the way in for Neymar. With 39% of the votes, the Brazilian wonder kid just missed out behind Hazard in the 4-4-2 formation. The 22-year-old star had an incredible first season for Barcelona.

The only big player to have not made into the final XI was Luis Suárez. Suárez who had a magical season for Liverpool in 2014 was unfortunately competing against some world class strikers in their own right.

Speaking about the results, Indi Deol, Director of DESIblitz.com said:

“Looking at the standard of this Fantasy Team, it is hard to imagine this year’s World Cup being anything short of amazing.”

He added: “It is also great to see the response gained from our voters. Readers from around the globe have voted, indicating that this 2014 World Cup will be popular and exciting.”

Here are the final results for the Fantasy XI poll. (Players selected are marked with an asterix):

GOALKEEPER

Manuel Neuer* (GER) – 36%
Thibaut Courtois (BEL) – 35%
Iker Casillas (SPA) – 22%
Hugo Lloris (FRA) – 7%

CENTRE BACK

Thiago Silva* (BRA) – 31%
Vincent Kompany* (BEL) – 27%
Sergio Ramos (SPA) – 24%
Pepe (POR) – 8%
Mats Hummels (GER) – 6%
Raphaël Varane (FRA) – 4%

RIGHT BACK

Philipp Lahm* (GER) – 74%
Pablo Zabaleta (ARG) – 22%
Maximiliano Pereira (URU) – 4%

LEFT BACK

Jordi Alba* (SPA) – 49%
Leighton Baines (ENG) – 32%
Filipe Luís (BRA) – 19%

CENTRE MIDFIELD, ATTACKING

Yaya Touré* (IVC) – 43%
Steven Gerrard* (ENG) – 18%
Luka Modri? (CRO) – 17%
Paul Pogba (FRA) – 11%
Thomas Müller (GER) – 11%

RIGHT WINGER

Arjen Robben* (HOL) – 68%
Alexis Sánchez (CHI) – 19%
Samir Nasri (FRA) – 13%

LEFT WINGER

Eden Hazard* (BEL) – 50%
Neymar* (BRA) – 39%
Franck Ribéry (FRA) – 11%

STRIKERS

Cristiano Ronaldo* (POR) – 40%
Lionel Messi* (ARG) – 32%
Luis Suárez (URU) – 20%
Sergio Agüero (ARG) – 5%
Diego Costa (SPA) – 2%
Robin van Persie (HOL) – 1%

Looking at the quality of players chosen in this poll, this World Cup should be one of the most thrilling yet. With Brazil playing on their home turf, they are considered tournament favourites. However a number of quality teams are in with a chance.

DESIblitz.com is looking forward to Brazil 2014, hoping that the team picked by our readers makes this tournament the best World Cup to date.

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