Transfer Muppet Fantasy Draft QF: Edgar vs Pol

[MJJ]

Team Edgar

Formation: 4-1-2-2-1


Team Composition:

Defence is anchored by the Serbian hit-man Vidic partnered by arguably the best CB around currently Silva ably anchor the central defence. Pace and Strength combines, they make a impenetrable pair. Flanked by Sorin and Zambrotta who are equally good in offence and defence, it makes for a water tight defence.


Makelele reprises his favourite role that became his namesake here, shielding the defence. Ahead of him are the midfield engines of Cambiasso and Deco. Cambiasso is a complete midfield who is good as as DM and a CM. He has earned special praise from Mourinho who classed him as the heartbeat of the team. he is partnered there by Deco who reprises his 06' Champions League winning position.A hard-working and creative midfielder who is comfortable moving forward as AM (as in the 04' winning CL side) or at controlling from the middle as he is tasked with now, this makes up for a midfield that is complete on defence, work rate and attack.


Flanking the midfield in attacking wide positions are Beckham and Zidane who are more as inside wingers than inside forwards. Beckham's crossing and box to box work rate needs no introduction and Zidane is played in a similar role to his WC winning team, the only difference being he will attack more as the defensive duties are shared by Cambiasso in the flank. Spearheading the attack is Zlatan, one of the best strikers of his generation with a capability of scoring genius goals from nothing.


Strategy:

This is a team that is capable of smooth and quick transition between defence and offence. When opponents have possession, Cambiasso will drop back supporting Makelele as a double pivot in shielding the defence. When in possession, both Cambiasso and Sorin are capable of taking the ball forward with the other slotting in for the defensive balance. Cambiasso is the perfect bridge that supports Sorin in defence and Zidane in attack, making it a solid flank. Beckham and Zambrotta on the other flank need no support. The hard working and creative presence of Deco there adds to the bite in the flank. The team is a solid composition that will leave no room for opponents to exploit.

 

[MJJ]

Team Pol.

Tactics:
4-2-3-1 with the dream wing pairings of Rivaldo-Figo-Cafu-Marcelo, flanking the jet-heeled spine of Shevchenko-Kaka-Seedorf-Vidal-Lucio-Gallas, the combination of flair, technique and pace of this team will be devastating. The game plan is to attack the opposing fullback with Rivaldo/Figo, supported by Cafu/Marcelo. After leaving the fullback for dead, Rivaldo/Figo will exploit the space to carve open the defence, forcing the opposing centreback out of position from which Shevchenko and Kaka will swoop in for the kill. Seedorf/Vidal’s screaming rockets will punish opponents preoccupied with Shevchenko and Kaka/playing deep. The intuitive understanding and proven teamwork between Shevchenko, Kaka, Seedorf and Cafu will add another dimension to the team chemistry.

Attack
An offensive tour de force comprising 4 Ballon d’Or winners – Rivaldo, Figo, Kaka and Shevchenko.

Rivaldo was truly a top class match-winner of the highest order, a breathtakingly special wizard who could pull anything out of the hat and conjure up outrageous goals from now-where to win matches, a dazzling one-in-a-billion gem bountifully blessed with unbelievable skill, dexterity, pace and strength.

The most capped Portuguese player in history, Figo was European and World Footballer of the year, dazzling the world at both club and international level, setting the biggest stage alight with his bewitching technique and match-winning brilliance.

A magnificent thoroughbred of an attacking midfielder, Kaka’s searing pace, incisive dribbling, creative passing and goalscoring prowess made him a formidable threat to any defence.

Shevchenko was the bona fide heir to Marco Van Basten's throne at AC Milan at a time when Serie A was the best league in the world, boasting luminaries such as Ronaldo, Batistuta, Baggio, Totti, Del Piero, Vieri, Crespo, Zidane, Nedved, Davids, Veron, Maldini, Nesta, Cannavaro, Blanc, Cafu, Zanetti. Shevchenko top scored in his debut season, the first foreign player to do so since Platini, a feat that even Van Basten did not achieve. That was a blistering start to a stellar career at Milan as Shevchenko became Milan's all-time top-scorer for Milan in the Champions league and the Derby della Madonnia (Milan Derby) ahead of legends such as Van Basten and Nordahl. On the international stage for Ukraine, Shevchenko carried the hopes of a nation on his shoulders, setting records as Ukraine's youngest and oldest goalscorer, all-time top goalscorer and eventually leading them to the World Cup, setting the all-time UEFA record in the process. Shevchenko's Ballon d'Or records in a golden era of great players, demonstrating the height and longevity of his prime

1998 – nominated (top 50)
1999 – 3rd
2000 – 3rd
2001 - 8th
2003 – 4th
2004 – 1st
2005 – 6th
2006 – nominated (top 50)

Twin Midfield Dynamos
Seedorf and Vidal are two incredibly all-rounded midfield dynamos which will support the offensive and defensive transitions with their combination of power and control, strength and technique.

Ranked the 7th greatest player in Champions League history and named in Real Madrid's Team of the Century, Clarence Seedorf, Il Professore, won the Champions League 4 times with 3 different clubs and was twice selected in UEFA Team of the Year, winning the best midfielder accolade in 2007. A player of supreme class who is mentally light years ahead of his opponents, Seedorf has immaculate technique on the ball and an impossible blend of physique and mobility. If you have not seen him giving United a master class in that 2007 Champions League semi-final, witness his flawless manipulation of the ball and the breathtaking technique behind his masterful control

When Milan played well, which happened often, each and every time it occurred Seedorf played an amazing match. He is a world class player.

Il Guerriero "The Warrior", Arturo Vidal’s all-round influence and decisive impact on games makes him the best midfielder and most complete footballer in the world today.

Vidal is the world’s best all-rounder. He can play anywhere, do anything, be an inspiration in any type of strategy…He’s also an incredible blend of physical and technical characteristics. He charges around the pitch for 90 minutes, displaying both incredible speed and stamina, closing opponents down during the rare moments Juventus don’t have possession, and powerfully connecting midfield and attack with his Michael Ballack-style runs. Vidal is also technically wonderful, however: capable of delicate through-balls, beautiful finishes and, perhaps most obviously, the most precise penalties you’ll ever see. He’s averaging a goal every other game while making the most tackles per game in Serie A.

Defence
Quick, relentless, and incredibly tough to beat at his snapping snarling best, Gallas joins the Brazilian trio of Cafu-Lucio-Marcelo for the fastest defence in the entire competition.

ll Pendolino (The Express Train), Cafu is the most capped Brazilian player of all-time and the only player in history to participate in 3 World Cup finals, captaining Brazil to glory in 2002 as he added a second World Cup medal to his trophy cabinet. He also holds the record of winning the most number of World Cup matches. Cafu played for Milan to the ripe old age of 38, a testament to the longevity of his quality. Arguably the greatest right back of all time. World class in his prime, Lucio is built like a tank and a beast of a defender combining the attributes of composure, tenacity, technique, power and pace. Anointed by Roberto Carlos as his heir, Marcelo has been
running the entire left flank for the Galacticos for 7 years now, an incredible achievement at arguably the biggest club in the world

The rule is: if you cannot get back, you must not go forward. The current best specialist is Marcelo, who gets it right in both areas.

Marcelo has more technical ability than me

 

[MJJ]

@Edgar Allan Pillow @Polaroid Sorry forgot the poll last time.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Wooo, I got the first vote. Fwiw!

 

[MJJ]

Wooo, I got the first vote. Fwiw!

I wish you had gotten figo, would have been an easy vote then. Now need to think about it a little.

 

[Cutch]

I went for Pol here. Just thought Edgar's side looked a bit one paced

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I went for Pol here. Just thought Edgar's side looked a bit one paced

As in?

 

[Cutch]

As in?

I think its a bit lacking throughout. Pol has the faster and more powerful side IMO.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

I think Beckham's crossing makes up for that. With him able to drift around, he has time and place for his pin point crosses. It definitely is a good source of goals for me.

I would say mine is a more fluid formation with Becks, Deco and Cambiasso able to roam around the middle.

 

[antohan]

I don't understand why Beckham keeps being brought up in a winger role in various suggested formations, and now in a game. He was a right midfielder. There's no way his overall play and positioning could be depicted as more advanced than Deco's. It just looks all over the shop to me.

I still don't get why Pol starts Lucio on the left either. Lucio-Cafú, a world-cup winning combo... Nah, let's put Lucio next to Marcelo to play Gallas right when he was more often played left. I don't get it.

 

[antohan]

Why on earth do you want Cambiasso and Beckham roaming? There's very few players you would want roaming and those two are among the last I would think of.

 

[Annahnomoss]

Two great sides on display. Kaka and Rivaldo will make sure that Pol/Theons side is very direct in their offense which means they will defend a lot too. Not sure if that side is set out to defend a lot though or not. On the other hand EAP looks like he will be a bit too intricate with Deco and Zidane linking up with Zlatan.

For me the clearest route to goal is a Beckham cross to Zlatan, he is brilliant at getting at the end of crosses and scores an awful lot from them these days be it high or low. He also has that wonder-goal ability to get a heel/bicycleta/dribbling raid going for him and I think he will continue his goalscoring record of 1:1 here as EAP will have plenty of possession. Zidane and Deco won't be synching with Zlatan as easily, but I think there is still a goal in that combination from Zidane or Deco with a long-shot or a saved one which Zlatan puts behind the keeper. Zidane has that magical ability to step up and put in a winner, and Beckham has his free-kicks so it is a very possible a winner comes from that.

Sorin and Zambrotta are in my eyes the most important players of team EAP. Both comfortable as wingers as well as full-back so I see EAP having extremely good width on both sides which assures crosses and a stretched play.

On the other side I think Figo is a bit off-tune with the rest. Kaka, Rivaldo and Sheva are all pacey and direct, whereas Figo playing counter-attacking football is a bit wasted. Can't see a lot of plays going out to Figo instead I see Rivaldo linking up naturally with Kaka and Sheva for an outstanding direct attack. Slightly better offense than EAP I'd say.

EAP has Silva, Makelele and Vidic as the back core and that is as good as it gets defensively. So I think it makes up for the difference as Pol's defense is a notch or two below this.

Not sure who wins this to be honest, I see two teams with brilliant abilities but maybe slightly off perfect. I would have preferred to see Figo in his right sided CM-RM role which he played for Real when they won the CL in 02 rather than in the offense for this one. He'd get to use his range of passing from there and he would still provide width albeit in the second wave of attack instead.

Need to see more discussion to vote, too many goals here and I am sure specific tactics can address at least some of them to seem less likely.

 

[Gio]

Heartening to see Rivaldo and Figo back together and Cambiasso not playing with the handbrake on for once on his natural side.

 

[Gio]

I don't understand why Beckham keeps being brought up in a winger role in various suggested formations, and now in a game. He was a right midfielder. There's no way his overall play and positioning could be depicted as more advanced than Deco's. It just looks all over the shop to me.

I still don't get why Pol starts Lucio on the left either. Lucio-Cafú, a world-cup winning combo... Nah, let's put Lucio next to Marcelo to play Gallas right when he was more often played left. I don't get it.

I don't see why Beckham keeps on getting shunted into 4-2-3-1/4-3-3s. Here he should be on the midfield line, Zidane should be the advanced midfielder. Pity I'm the only bugger who appreciates a lopsided fornation.

 

[TheRedDevil'sAdvocate]

Imo Edgar's team is very slow without the ball and has no off the ball movement in the final third. We all know how good Beckam, Deco and Zidane are with the ball, but none of them made a career out of making runs in the box and creating spaces for the forwards or giving them the opportunity to play 1vs1 against the opposition CBs. Well, Beckam can, yet again he's too "one-footed" for such a quick defense. I believe Zlatan is going to feel very lonely up front. One might say that the three players behind Ibrahimovic can pass the ball through the eye of a needle, but when you have only one player to pass the ball to, what good will that do? The only reasonable solution to this seems to be the full backs playing very high and doing overlaps all the time with Makelele and Cambiasso providing cover. But against the pace (and the ability to close down) of Vidal, Kaka and Seedorf i can predict lots of problems and many counter attacks.

Pol has outdone himself with this team. They can play Total Football like Barcelona of 1998-1999 (Rivaldo, Figo and Sheva instead of Andersson or Enrique), or they can play like AC Milan of the early-middle 00's (Kaka-Shevchenko duo plus Seedorf and Vidal instead of Gattuso). Lucio and Gallas can keep a high defensive line if necessary and they can both start attacks from behind. Cafu is a bonus in this starting xi, definitely the best RB i have seen in my life.

So, i believe Pol's team are clear favorites to win this one...

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Sorry guys, just got my transfer orders. Hectic now. Difficult to get in here...

 

[crappycraperson]

I thought Rivaldo hated playing as a left winger :P

 

[crappycraperson]

Frankly Edgar, I just don't like your formation. Seems like MF overkill to me.

I thought you got Overmars? If you did then I really think you should have gone 4411 here. Zidane in his best role would have been great

I would hold off to see how the game progresses but as it is, I only see one winner. Your left side is a bit of a problem, Sorin won't be able to attack at all and might need Cambiasso helping him out full time.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Slow? Deco? Or Beckham passing? Or Zidane dribbling?

 

[Annahnomoss]

The reason he plays Beckham further up is because in these drafts asymmetric formations is a big no no that never works. Either he would have played Zidane as a LM and everybody would make the same complaints, or he would do what he did now and people think Beckham is a winger and lost his entire playing style.

Beckham will play the way Beckham always does if I understand "His box to box work-rate needs no introduction." Basically bomb up and down the pitch in a wide right area. Poorly phrased maybe as he also states "inside forward". EAP, a clarification here please.

 

[antohan]

His diamond was better, the 4-2-3-1 (actually 4-4-1-1) he had posted earlier also was. Zlatan looks completely stranded and all Pol needs to do is mark him out of the game.

 

[Polaroid]

I went for Pol here. Just thought Edgar's side looked a bit one paced

Thanks Cutch, concur on your point that it would help Edgar's team to have more players with the athleticism to inject pace into the tempo. With Cambaisso, Deco, Beckham and Zidane it seems overkill in terms of many players capable of making passes but not enough players stretching defences, working the channels and making penetrative runs to get on the end of those passes. The team is heavily reliant on Ibra to do all that + to hold up play and act as the fulcrum + shoulder the goalscoring burden. A bridge too far IMO

Sorin and Zambrotta are in my eyes the most important players of team EAP. Both comfortable as wingers as well as full-back so I see EAP having extremely good width on both sides which assures crosses and a stretched play.

On the other side I think Figo is a bit off-tune with the rest. Kaka, Rivaldo and Sheva are all pacey and direct, whereas Figo playing counter-attacking football is a bit wasted. Can't see a lot of plays going out to Figo instead I see Rivaldo linking up naturally with Kaka and Sheva for an outstanding direct attack. Slightly better offense than EAP I'd say.

Do not see how it is Edgar having extremely good width instead
Sorin and Zambrotta are not as good at that as Cafu Marcelo and they are taking risks against Rivaldo Figo.

You have to see Figo in that Barca side to understand how well Figo sync with Rivaldo
Quick incisive passing and dribbling to slice apart and penetrate defences, absolutely entertaining end to end action that produced two see-saw thrillers with United

Heartening to see Rivaldo and Figo back together and Cambiasso not playing with the handbrake on for once on his natural side.

Have to reunite that Rivaldo Figo pairing from that Barca team, utterly hot sizzling football, still remember vividly those two 3-3 classics between them and United, the magical interplay, great goals and the dummy Figo sold to a totally wrongfooted Beckham

Imo Edgar's team is very slow without the ball and has no off the ball movement in the final third. We all know how good Beckam, Deco and Zidane are with the ball, but none of them made a career out of making runs in the box and creating spaces for the forwards or giving them the opportunity to play 1vs1 against the opposition CBs. Well, Beckam can, yet again he's too "one-footed" for such a quick defense. I believe Zlatan is going to feel very lonely up front. One might say that the three players behind Ibrahimovic can pass the ball through the eye of a needle, but when you have only one player to pass the ball to, what good will that do? The only reasonable solution to this seems to be the full backs playing very high and doing overlaps all the time with Makelele and Cambiasso providing cover. But against the pace (and the ability to close down) of Vidal, Kaka and Seedorf i can predict lots of problems and many counter attacks.

Pol has outdone himself with this team. They can play Total Football like Barcelona of 1998-1999 (Rivaldo, Figo and Sheva instead of Andersson or Enrique), or they can play like AC Milan of the early-middle 00's (Kaka-Shevchenko duo plus Seedorf and Vidal instead of Gattuso). Lucio and Gallas can keep a high defensive line if necessary and they can both start attacks from behind. Cafu is a bonus in this starting xi, definitely the best RB i have seen in my life.

So, i believe Pol's team are clear favorites to win this one...

Spot on with your tactical analysis

His diamond was better, the 4-2-3-1 (actually 4-4-1-1) he had posted earlier also was. Zlatan looks completely stranded and all Pol needs to do is mark him out of the game.

Concur, with Ibra upfront alone holding up play and acting as the attacking fulcrum, it would help Edgar to have more players sharing Ibra's load in working the channels, making incisive runs behind the defence and scoring the goals

 

[Annahnomoss]

You have to see Figo in that Barca side to understand how well Figo sync with Rivaldo
Quick incisive passing and dribbling to slice apart and penetrate defences, absolutely entertaining end to end action that produced two see-saw thrillers with United

I loved them together and think they had a brilliant partnership. Rivaldo is capable of direct and more intricate plays, the issue is more Kaka being there as well. It means splitting Rivaldo and Figo apart and I don't think Kaka adds much. He just forces the team to play very direct because that is the only way he can play at his best level.

So I see Rivaldo accepting the terms and being extremely direct as well together with Kaka while Figo doesn't have the ability to play direct football based on pace and power like that. I don't think you'd have less goals in your team if you completely removed Kaka here, I'd say you'd have probably scored more.

How will you defend in this game? Any special ways to handle Rivaldo and Kaka being less great defensively? Shevchenko taking on any special role in the defense?

 

[Polaroid]

Giovanni was playing in Kaka's position then, did not stop Rivaldo and Figo from jazzing it up and tearing up opposing defences for fun
Disagree on Kaka not contributing much to this match, on the contrary, Kaka will be devastating in this match, he is exactly the type of attacker that can cause Vidic the most problems
Sorry but really dont see your points about Rivaldo Figo split apart and Kaka not adding much

Rivaldo will contribute no less than Zidane. If Zambrotta over commits, Seedorf's quality of passing will quickly find Rivaldo in oceans of space. With Kaka, Shevchenko and Figo tearing away on the counter too, it will be mayhem . Kaka's workrate and teamwork cannot be faulted. Shevchenko's pace will ensure Edgar's defence will be limited in pushing forward to support the midfield in easing transitions and retaining possession

 

[Balu]

Overmars on the left would solve so many problems for Edgar. Play a 4411 with Overmars and Beckham out wide and Zidane behind Ibra and the team is much more dangerous without loosing anything in terms of defensive stability. Poor Overmars, I shunted him out on the right as a role player, then he gets sold on the cheap in a last minute transfer to be benched now and watch his team loose from the sidelines. He deserved so much better from his managers, he was brilliant during his prime.

Voted for Pol for all the reasons mentioned in the posts above, sorry Edgar. You did a great job helping Gandalf to come up with a team and give us a game here.

 

[Edgar Allan Pillow]

Sorry guys. Totally swamped at work. Just bad timing. Still its a great side by Pol.

Congrats @Polaroid

 

[RoadTrip]

Kaka Rivaldo and Figo is WOW. But then, Vidic, Silva and Makalele is also WOW.

 

[RoadTrip]

In the end just opted for Pol, slightly stronger in midfield. And that 3 behind Shevchenko who himself is not to be ignored, is exciting stuff.

 

[Pippa]

I don't think Kaka adds much. He just forces the team to play very direct because that is the only way he can play at his best level.

He was at his best in 2003-04 in the league when Milan played with more possession than any other team. He just did not have the hype that he did a few years later because it was his first year in Europe. Kaká doesn't force any team to play direct, but he can change a game with his directness.

 

[Polaroid]

Sorry guys. Totally swamped at work. Just bad timing. Still its a great side by Pol.

Congrats @Polaroid

Thank you mate, can totally empathise with your situation at work, hope it gets better for you soon

 

[Polaroid]

Thank you all for the votes and above all, your comments sharing your insights into the game

 

[Annahnomoss]

He was at his best in 2003-04 in the league when Milan played with more possession than any other team. He just did not have the hype that he did a few years later because it was his first year in Europe. Kaká doesn't force any team to play direct, but he can change a game with his directness.

Cheers mate. Will look it up but if true I would have voted Pol/Theon.

 

[Rykker_4united]

The defensive core of Edgar's team is unbelievable. Silva, Vidic, and Makelele. And the fullbacks are no slouches either. Cambiasso has always been a defensively able central midfielder, which I would have placed beside Makelele to give Deco the free license to roam. I think a lot are also forgetting Beckham's engine in here, and I think he's a very versatile player.

 

[Gio]

Overmars on the left would solve so many problems for Edgar. Play a 4411 with Overmars and Beckham out wide and Zidane behind Ibra and the team is much more dangerous without loosing anything in terms of defensive stability. Poor Overmars, I shunted him out on the right as a role player, then he gets sold on the cheap in a last minute transfer to be benched now and watch his team loose from the sidelines. He deserved so much better from his managers, he was brilliant during his prime.

Voted for Pol for all the reasons mentioned in the posts above, sorry Edgar. You did a great job helping Gandalf to come up with a team and give us a game here.

Agree with all of this.

 

[Pat_Mustard]

Nice move by Pol/Theon playing with two all-rounders in central midfield rather than an acknowledged holding player - its contributed to a brutally strong attacking line up. That front four is just frightening, and formed from two proven partnerships just to seal things.

 

[Polaroid]

Nice move by Pol/Theon playing with two all-rounders in central midfield rather than an acknowledged holding player - its contributed to a brutally strong attacking line up. That front four is just frightening, and formed from two proven partnerships just to seal things.

Thanks Pat, I personally rate Seedorf as one of the best of his generation although he seems to fly under the radar in Redcafe draft games. Many also seemed to have allowed Shevchenko's debacle at Chelsea diminish the heights of his prime at Milan-not sure if it would cost us later on