What is your country’s all timer national team XI ?

[Matt007a]

We are famous for playing 442 for most of our history so I’m gonna stick to it even though it doesn’t allow some of our greatest players to get in.

GK - Banks
RB - Neville
CB - Moore
CB - Rio
LB - Cole
RM - Beckham
CM - Charlton
CM - Robson
LM - Barnes
ST - Greaves
ST - Shearer

Its quite hard actually. RB is definitely a weak area and I may be missing someone. My knowledge through the 70s and 80s isn’t great. Left wing is also a tricky one. Barnes has the ability to be in this team but his England career wasn’t great.

There are so many midfield options I’ve had to leave out. Stiles, Gerrard, Lampard, Gazza, Scholes, Ball.

Players like Waddle, Hoddle, Rooney and Beardsley missing as creative players because the rigid 442 doesn’t accommodate them properly. As a pure striker I couldn’t put Rooney above Shearer or Greaves.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Scotland

Goram

McGrain - Hansen - McNeill - Greig

Johnstone - Bremner - Souness - Baxter

Law - Dalglish​

Manager - Sir Alex Ferguson

 

[Oranges038]

Can't argue with much there. I'd have O'Leary ahead of Dunne, though.

Yeah, it was a toss up between him, O'Leary and Lawro, I just prefer Dunne.

 

[redDNA]

Nigeria

GK :Vincent Enyeama
CB :Christian 'Chairman ' Chukwu
CB :Stephen Keshi
LB :Celestine Babayaro
RB :Joseph Yobo
DM :Sunday Oliseh
CM Jay Jay Okocha
LW :Emmanuel Amuneke
RW :Finidi George
ST :Kanu Nwankwo
ST : Rashidi 'Yeking' Yekini


Subs
GK Peter Rufai
LB Taye Taiwo
RB :Victor Moses
CB: Augustine Eguavoen
CB : Taribo West
DM : Mikel Obi
CM Mutui Adepoju.
LW :Garuba Lawal
RW : Ahmed Musa
ST Daniel Amokachi /Samson Siasia
ST :Julius Aghaghowa/Ike Uche

Coach:Clemens Westerhof

 

[Gio]

Scotland

Goram

McGrain - Hansen - McNeill - Greig

Johnstone - Bremner - Souness - Baxter

Law - Dalglish​

Manager - Sir Alex Ferguson

 

[harms]

Taffarel
Cafu Bellini Aldair Roberto Carlos
Falcão
Ronaldinho Zico Pelé
Romario Ronaldo​

Subs: Marcos, Marcio Santos, Carlos Alberto Torres, Socrates, Junior, Gerson, Rivelino, Tostão, Leonidas, Garrincha, Kaká, Rivaldo.

Poor Paulo

 

[SilentStrike]

Not my country, but I was born there and it's so much fun:

Van der Sar
Surrbier Stam Koeman Krol
Rijkaard
Gullit Neeskens
Cruyff
Van Basten Bergkamp

De Boer, Van Dijk, Van Bronkhorst, Van Hanegem, Seedorf, Robben, Kluivert, Van Nistelrooy​

Hard to believe Robben isn't in the first team but I guess it's down to the formation you choose.

I rate Robben as a better player than Bergkamp, and the level Robben reached playing for NL in 2010 and 2014 is higher than what Bergkamp has achieved. But squeezing Robben in takes the others out of position, so I think your team is spot on.

 

[Ranie]

For Iceland it would be:

GK: Hannes Halldorsson
Part of the holden generation and that penalty save from Messi in WC 2018.

CB: Gudni Bergsson
A rock at the back and a Bolton Wanderers legend.

CB: Atli Edvaldsson
Very influential player who played as a striker, midfielder and center back. Scored 5 goals for Fortuna Dusseldorf on a saturday in the Bundesliga in 1983 and the next day he scored the winning goal for Iceland against Malta in Reykjavik.

CB: Kári Árnason
Part of the golden generation and an absolute rock at the back. Not the fastest player but read the game fantastically. Retired only last year and is greatly missed.

LW: Arnor Gudjohnsen
The father of Eidur and a legend in Iceland.

MC: Asgeir Sigurvinsson
Fantastic midfielder who played for FC Bayern and Stuttgart. Best player in the Bundesliga in 1984.

MC: Aron Gunnarsson
The captain of Iceland, a great player and a great leader.

MC: Runar Kristinsson
A magician of the game. Scored alot of goals and was one of the best players in Belgium for many years during his spell with Lokeren.

RW: Gylfi Sigurdsson
Simply one of the best players in Icelands history. Always great for the national team but sadly will probably not play more games.

AM: Eidur Gudjohnsen
No words needed.

CF: Kolbeinn Sightorsson
Top scorer for Iceland in not that many games. If not for the injuries god knows how good he could have become. Nonetheless one of the best strikers in our history.

 

[Withnail]

Kaka I guess?

Oh as a sub? Carry on

 

[do.ob]

Nigeria
DM :Sunday Oliseh

That name brings back some memories. His specialty was taking direct free kicks or long shots from absurd distances and trying to score a field goal with them.

 

[paulscholes18]

Buffon
Baresi Nesta Maldini
Zambrotta Pirlo Tardelli Facchetti
Baggio
Meazza Del Piero

Zoff
Cannavaro
Chiellini
Gattuso
Rivera
S. Mezzola
Totti

 

[JPRouve]

Nigeria

GK :Vincent Enyeama
CB :Christian 'Chairman ' Chukwu
CB :Stephen Keshi
LB :Celestine Babayaro
RB :Joseph Yobo
DM :Sunday Oliseh
CM Jay Jay Okocha
LW :Emmanuel Amuneke
RW :Finidi George
ST :Kanu Nwankwo
ST : Rashidi 'Yeking' Yekini


Subs
GK Peter Rufai
LB Taye Taiwo
RB :Victor Moses
CB: Augustine Eguavoen
CB : Taribo West
DM : Mikel Obi
CM Mutui Adepoju.
LW :Garuba Lawal
RW : Ahmed Musa
ST Daniel Amokachi /Samson Siasia
ST :Julius Aghaghowa/Ike Uche

This is giving me some proper nostalgia. Nigeria had mesmerizing players during my childhood.

 

[Frank Grimes]

----------------------Southall
Gunter-----Charles--Ratcliffe---Jones
Allchurch--Speed-----Giggs-----Bale
------------------Rush-----Hughes

We must have had a better right back than Gunter at some point, but I can't name one off the top of my head, so he gets the spot for longevity. Old timers feel free to correct me!

John Charles a glaring omission.

 

[Camara]

Peyroteo not even in the bench? Peyroteo is gonna be mad

 

[redDNA]

Vincent Enyeama

Victor Moses
Joseph Yobo
Taribo West
Celestine Babayaro

Sunday Oliseh
Jay-Jay Okocha

Finidi George
Nwankwo Kanu
Emmanuel Amunike

Victor Osimehen

Subs:

Peter Rufai
Mobi Okparaku
Uche Ukechukwu
Taye Taiwo
Wilson Orunma
Wilfried Ndidi
John Obi-Mikel
Peter Odemwinge
Julius Aghahowa
John Utaka
Rashidi Yekini

Yekini is record goalscorer and would feel hard done by not to make the starting XI, but Osimehen is the first potential world class number 9 we’ve had and is on a different level for me, so makes the team despite it’s youth.

That name brings back some memories. His specialty was taking direct free kicks or long shots from absurd distances and trying to score a field goal with them.

Absolutely, his 'Rocket' against Spain(which Nigeria won 3-2) at France 98 World Cup was very memorable

 

[V.O.]

John Charles a glaring omission.

He's there, at centre half (because we've got Hughes and Rush as options up front and nobody else near that quality in defence).

 

[Bangalla]

Sweden from the mid 80s and onwards.

Coach: Tommy Svensson. SF Euro 1992 and 3rd place WC 1994.

System: 4-4-2.

GK: Thomas Ravelli. Part of the great early 90s national team and IFK Göteborgs Champions league-teams, before Bosman and big TV money, when teams from smaller leagues could still be competitive.

RB: Roland Nilsson. Also part of early 90s national team. Played for IFK Göteborg and reached SF in the old European Cup 1986 and won the UEFA Cup 1987. Played for Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City in the Premier League.

CB: Glenn Hysén. Probably the most successful Swedish player in the 80s. On club level that is, since the national team were not very good. Played for IFK Göteborg. Won a treble in 1982, the league, the cup and the UEFA Cup. Reached the SF in the European Cup 1986. Won the UEFA Cup again in 1987. Also played for PSV, Fiorentina and won the English First divison title 1989/90 with You-Know-Who FC.

CB: Joakim Björklund. Underrated player. Part of the early 90s national team and IFK Göteborg in the Champions league. Also played for Rangers, Valencia and Sunderland among others.

LB: Ludwig Augustinsson. I guess I have to pick a left back and I guess I have to pick someone from the totally no-name national team that mysteriously qualified for and reached the QF of WC 2018. Played for among others Werder Bremen and plays for Sevilla.

RW: Thomas Brolin. Considered one of Sweden's best players ever. Picked for the best 11 of WC 1994. Broke his leg while playing for the national team later that year and was never the same player again. Played for Parma and Leeds among others.

CM: Jonas Thern. The leader of the great early 90s national team. Played for Malmö FF when they had their great late 80s spell. Also played for Benfica, Napoli, Roma and Rangers.

CM: Anders Svensson. Played most of his career in a smaller team, Elfsborg, in the Swedish league but was always great for the national team. Played for Southampton a couple of years.

LW: Fredrik Ljungberg. Part of the great late 90s-early 00s Arsenal team. The Swedish national team of that period never seemed to reach their potential though. Or perhaps they did.

F: Henrik Larsson. Legend.

F: Zlatan Ibrahimovic. There is only one Zlatan. (Actually there is another Swedish player named Zlatan approximately the same age as him).

 

[Frank Grimes]

He's there, at centre half (because we've got Hughes and Rush as options up front and nobody else near that quality in defence).

Sorry mate. Was expecting him up front.

 

[diarm]

Hard to believe Robben isn't in the first team but I guess it's down to the formation you choose.

I rate Robben as a better player than Bergkamp, and the level Robben reached playing for NL in 2010 and 2014 is higher than what Bergkamp has achieved. But squeezing Robben in takes the others out of position, so I think your team is spot on.

I find that opinion absolutely mind boggling but there you go!

 

[redDNA]

This is giving me some proper nostalgia. Nigeria had mesmerizing players during my childhood.

Ya we did, I think our best was the 1994 Squad.

 

[Charles Miller]

Don’t know about Bellini but I’m surprised Lucio doesn’t make it into your team.

Lucio had a better image in europe than in Brazil. Many of us used to hate him as a footballer. He was mocked by comedians, etc. His image was similar to what is Harry Maguire today.

 

[Fenomeno9]

GK: Leao
CB: Lucio
CB: Aldair
RB: Cafu
LB: Roberto Carlos
CM: Didi
CM: Falcao
AM: Zico
LWF: Garrincha
RWF: Pele
CF: Ronaldo

Coach: Tele Santana

 

[Charles Miller]

No Neymar? 7:1 goals and 52 assists in 1 1:7 caps, fantastic output even though he's playing with one of the worst Brazil sides ever.

He scored so many goals because there are much more games now than in the past and the south american rivals are weakned majority of time. I would put Careca, Eder, Muller, Bebeto and Reinaldo ahead of Neymar.

 

[adexkola]

Nigeria

GK :Vincent Enyeama
CB :Christian 'Chairman ' Chukwu
CB :Stephen Keshi
LB :Celestine Babayaro
RB :Joseph Yobo
DM :Sunday Oliseh
CM Jay Jay Okocha
LW :Emmanuel Amuneke
RW :Finidi George
ST :Kanu Nwankwo
ST : Rashidi 'Yeking' Yekini


Subs
GK Peter Rufai
LB Taye Taiwo
RB :Victor Moses
CB: Augustine Eguavoen
CB : Taribo West
DM : Mikel Obi
CM Mutui Adepoju.
LW :Garuba Lawal
RW : Ahmed Musa
ST Daniel Amokachi /Samson Siasia
ST :Julius Aghaghowa/Ike Uche

What coach?

I'd say Westerhof. Keshi as his assistant.

 

[redDNA]

What coach?

I'd say Westerhof. Keshi as his assistant.

Ya,Absolutely, forgot to add the Coach.

 

[Maagge]

4231: Schmeichel; Helveg, Kjær, Agger, N. Jensen; Gravesen, Højbjerg; B. Laudrup, M. Laudrup, Eriksen; Dahl Tomasson.

T. Sørensen, Sand, A. Christensen, Schöne, Rommedahl, Grønkjær, Tøfting, C. Poulsen.

I have to admit I only barely remember seeing the Laudrups.

You probably need to have Allan Simonsen in that team. Then there's an argument to be made around having both Schmeichels there. I'm not sure Niclas Jensen ever did anything Mæhle isn't doing currently. And while Jon Dahl Tomasson was good, Elkjær was probably better.
You could also make it hopelessly offensive:

Peter Schmeichel
Martin Laursen - Simon Kjær - Daniel Agger
Thomas Helveg - Joakim Mæhle (as wing backs)
Christian Eriksen - Michael Laudrup - Allan Simonsen
Preben Elkjær - Brian Laudrup

 

[Mike Smalling]

You probably need to have Allan Simonsen in that team. Then there's an argument to be made around having both Schmeichels there. I'm not sure Niclas Jensen ever did anything Mæhle isn't doing currently. And while Jon Dahl Tomasson was good, Elkjær was probably better.
You could also make it hopelessly offensive:

Peter Schmeichel
Martin Laursen - Simon Kjær - Daniel Agger
Thomas Helveg - Joakim Mæhle (as wing backs)
Christian Eriksen - Michael Laudrup - Allan Simonsen
Preben Elkjær - Brian Laudrup

Definitely Elkjær over Tomasson! He was voted 2nd best player in Europe at one time, and was top scorer in Serie A. Also, you would have to include Morten Olsen, wouldn't you?

I would say:

Schmeichel
Helveg - Kjær - Agger - Heintze
Olsen - Eriksen
B. Laudrup - M. Laudrup - Simonsen
Elkjær​

 

[Stadjer]

Its more fun when people actually put some context for their eleven players instead of just writing down eleven names. Reading the starting post of this topic was fun for example.

 

[GhastlyHun]

For Iceland it would be:

GK: Hannes Halldorsson
Part of the holden generation and that penalty save from Messi in WC 2018.

CB: Gudni Bergsson
A rock at the back and a Bolton Wanderers legend.

CB: Atli Edvaldsson
Very influential player who played as a striker, midfielder and center back. Scored 5 goals for Fortuna Dusseldorf on a saturday in the Bundesliga in 1983 and the next day he scored the winning goal for Iceland against Malta in Reykjavik.

CB: Kári Árnason
Part of the golden generation and an absolute rock at the back. Not the fastest player but read the game fantastically. Retired only last year and is greatly missed.

LW: Arnor Gudjohnsen
The father of Eidur and a legend in Iceland.

MC: Asgeir Sigurvinsson
Fantastic midfielder who played for FC Bayern and Stuttgart. Best player in the Bundesliga in 1984.

MC: Aron Gunnarsson
The captain of Iceland, a great player and a great leader.

MC: Runar Kristinsson
A magician of the game. Scored alot of goals and was one of the best players in Belgium for many years during his spell with Lokeren.

RW: Gylfi Sigurdsson
Simply one of the best players in Icelands history. Always great for the national team but sadly will probably not play more games.

AM: Eidur Gudjohnsen
No words needed.

CF: Kolbeinn Sightorsson
Top scorer for Iceland in not that many games. If not for the injuries god knows how good he could have become. Nonetheless one of the best strikers in our history.

Spot the odd sen out!

 

[Stadjer]

Not my country, but I was born there and it's so much fun:

Van der Sar
Surrbier Stam Koeman Krol
Rijkaard
Gullit Neeskens
Cruyff
Van Basten Bergkamp

De Boer, Van Dijk, Van Bronkhorst, Van Hanegem, Seedorf, Robben, Kluivert, Van Nistelrooy​

It is my country and it hurts that you didnt put us in a 433 but in a 442 diamond.

 

[1988]

You probably need to have Allan Simonsen in that team. Then there's an argument to be made around having both Schmeichels there. I'm not sure Niclas Jensen ever did anything Mæhle isn't doing currently. And while Jon Dahl Tomasson was good, Elkjær was probably better.
You could also make it hopelessly offensive:

Peter Schmeichel
Martin Laursen - Simon Kjær - Daniel Agger
Thomas Helveg - Joakim Mæhle (as wing backs)
Christian Eriksen - Michael Laudrup - Allan Simonsen
Preben Elkjær - Brian Laudrup

I was going for players I rememered having seen.

 

[SilentStrike]

I find that opinion absolutely mind boggling but there you go!

When was Bergkamp for NL better than Robben was for NL in 2014?

1998? Not even close.

Robben is in NL widely considered to be the best Dutch footballer in the last 30 years since Van Basten.

 

[Terranova]

GK: Cruijff
DR: Cruijff
DC: Cruijff
DC: Cruijff
DL: Cruijff
MC: Cruijff
MC: Van de Beek
MC: Cruijff
RW: Cruijff
ST: Cruijff
LW: Cruijff

Cruijff actually was the second goalkeeper for Ajax early in his career, due to Uefa only allowing 1 goalkeeper on the teamsheet at the time.

 

[SportingCP96]

When was Bergkamp for NL better than Robben was for NL in 2014?

1998? Not even close.

Robben is in NL widely considered to be the best Dutch footballer in the last 30 years since Van Basten.

I honestly never knew the Dutch rested Robben to that high of an extent.


That’s pretty cool to hear!

 

[SportingCP96]

Peyroteo not even in the bench? Peyroteo is gonna be mad

Your right I do have one more spot on the bench!

What would your team be ?

 

[The Cat]

Southall
Sherwood
Ratcliffe
England
J.Jones
Bellamy
Allchurch
Speed
Giggs
Charles
Rush

 

[SportingCP96]

Southall
Sherwood
Ratcliffe
England
J.Jones
Bellamy
Allchurch
Speed
Giggs
Charles
Rush

Woah no Bale ??

 

[The Cat]

Woah no Bale ??

He's on the bench when he's fit.

 

[christy87]

I'd be more inclined to go:

Given
Irwin McGrath Hurley Carey
Houghton Keane Giles Brady
Stapleton Keane
​

Toughest decision was who partners McGrath at CB, with Hurley, Moran and Dunne all outstanding candidates.

There all wrong the logical choice is Garry breen

 

[AbusementPark]

GK - PAT JENNINGS
DEF - JIMMY NICHOLL
DEF - JONNY EVANS
DEF - AARON HUGHES
DEF - MAL DONAGHY
MID - MARTIN ONEILL
MID - STEVE DAVIS
MID - NORMAN WHITESIDE
FWD - GEORGE BEST
FWD - GERRY ARMSTRONG
FWD - DAVID HEALY

SUBS - GILLESPIE, LENNON, DOWIE, MAGILTON, MCILROY, RICE