2014 World Cup Dream Team

The main criteria in selecting this 2014 World Cup dream team was how deep any said candidate went into the tournament which, fair or otherwise, ruled out some superb performers such as the Chile trio of Alexis Sanchez, Gary Medel and Arturo Vidal. The team is also chosen with balance in mind – an XI that could function, not just a bunch of names on paper. So, here is my 2014 Fifa World Cup team of the tournament.

2014 World Cup team of the tournament

Goalkeeper

Manuel Neuer, Germany

Goalkeeper or defender?... All!
Manuel Neuer

Manuel Neuer is the world’s best goalkeeper and this World Cup proved it. Neuer was exceptional throughout and in Germany’s last 16 tie against Algeria he took the interpretation of the sweeper keeper to new realms registering a crazy 59 touches of the ball, 19 of which were outside of the penalty box.

Manuel Neuer’s heat-map v Algeria

Graphic via Squawka

Yes, he had a good defence in front of him, however, Neuer still pulled off some incredible goalkeeping feats in Brazil.

Total Saves

Player	Country	Total saves
Tim Howard	USA	27
Manuel Neuer	Germany	23
Vincent Enyeama	Nigeria	22
Keylor Navas	Costa Rica	21
Diego Benaglio	Switzerland	20
Rais M'Bolhi	Algeria	20

Most clean-sheets

Player	Country	Clean-sheets	Goals conceded	Minutes played
Manuel Neuer	Germany	4	4	690
Sergio Romero	Argentina	4	4	720
Keylor Navas	Costa Rica	3	2	510
Hugo Lloris	France	3	3	450
Vincent Enyeama	Nigeria	2	5	360
Jasper Cillessen	Netherlands	2	4	688
David Ospina	Colombia	2	4	445
Thibaut Courtois	Belgium	2	3	480

(Special Mention: Keylor Navas, Costa Rica)

Right-back

Philipp Lahm, Germany

Phillip Lahm has cemented his place as the finest fullback of his generation and an all-time great.  Lahm is the perfect footballer and clearly a wonderful leader as well. He’s an example. His move to midfield at club level last season only served to expand his game further and, although he clearly enjoys midfield more than right-back these days, Lahm remains largely faultless in defence.

Most Touches

Player	Country	Total Touches
Toni Kroos	Germany	730
Philipp Lahm	Germany	723
Javier Mascherano	Argentina	689
Stefan de Vrij	Netherlands	516
Bastian Schweinsteiger	Germany	510

(Special Mention: Pablo Zabaleta, Argentina)

Centre-back

Mats Hummels, Germany

Hummels was immense throughout the tournament and, were it not for the one group game missed due to flu, would be the obvious Golden Ball winner in my opinion. Defenders always have to do more, though, unfortunately.

(Special Mention: Giancarlo González, Costa Rica)

Centre-back

Stefan de Vrij, Netherlands

A Relative unknown going in the World Cup, de Vrij had an inauspicious start to the tournament giving away a penalty early in the Netherlands’ opener against Spain. But, he grew in stature as the tournament progressed, helping the Netherlands to third-place with some assured performances.

(Special Mention: Mario Yepes, Colombia)

Left-back

Daley Blind, Netherlands

Left-back was the most difficult position to pick as there was no spectacularly standout performer. Nevertheless, the Orange’s Daley Blind was the most consistent and headline grabbing. He provided three assists during the tournament, bettered only by Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado.

Most Assists

Player	Country	Assists
Juan Cuadrado	Colombia	4
Thomas Müller	Germany	3
Toni Kroos	Germany	3
Daley Blind	Netherlands	3
James Rodriguez	Colombia	2

(Special Mention: Ricardo Rodriguez, Switzerland)

Central midfield

Javier Mascherano, Argentina

Stop-Nonsons...
Monster Masch

Javier Mascherano was a colossus and this is backed up by the stats.  He played every single minute and made the most tackles. Mascherano protected Argentina’s back four with aplomb and his midfield partnership with Lucas Biglia (who also deserves a mention) was superb. You want your anchorman to not only breakup opposition attacks but also be able to command the game and instigate offence. Mascherano showed at this World Cup that he’s somewhat wasted at centre-back for Barcelona.

Total Passes

Player	Country	Total passes	Pass accuracy
Toni Kroos	Germany	605	89.92%
Philipp Lahm	Germany	583	90.74%
Javier Mascherano	Argentina	576	89.41%
Bastian Schweinsteiger	Germany	429	89.51%
Jerome Boateng	Germany	391	82.86%
Stefan de Vrij	Netherlands	378	85.71%
Mesut Özil	Germany	365	86.85%
Fernando Gago	Argentina	363	90.36%

Most Minutes

Javier Mascherano	Argentina	720
Pablo Zabaleta	Argentina	720
Ezequiel Garay	Argentina	720
Sergio Romero	Argentina	720
Lionel Messi	Argentina	693
Philipp Lahm	Germany	690

(Special Mention: Sami Khedira, Germany)

Central midfield

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Germany

His performance in the final is enough to get him in the team – the biggest game of the tournament and he was the biggest player. Despite missing Germany’s first game he picked up as the tournament progressed and shone brightly by the time he was needed most. Words can’t adequately describe the level Schweinsteiger has reached, both as a fantastic footballer individually and as a symbol for club and country. He has reached the god-like level of Lothar Matthäus and Franz Beckenbaeur before him.

Final third passes

Player	Country	Passes	Accuracy
Mesut Özil	Germany	210	81.43%
Toni Kroos	Germany	210	80.00%
Philipp Lahm	Germany	167	79.04%
Lionel Messi	Argentina	160	69.38%
Thomas Müller	Germany	142	64.08%
Bastian Schweinsteiger	Germany	140	85.00%
Wesley Sneijder	Netherlands	116	66.38%
Marcelo	Brazil	112	70.54%
Ángel Di María	Argentina	110	59.09%

(Special Mention: Paul Pogba, France)

No. 10

James Rodriguez, Colombia

It’s blasphemy to leave Toni Kroos out of a World Cup XI when he was perhaps the tournament’s best midfielder, but this selection is a tribute to James Rodriguez rather than any shortcoming on Kroos’ part. No player broke out like Rodriguez in Brazil. He was already a known talent having been signed for €45 million by Monaco last May, but the World Cup announced the 23 year-old as a world star. Rodriguez won the Golden Boot with six goals, became the first player to score in his team’s first five matches of a World Cup since 1970 and scored a goal widely considered the goal of the tournament, against Uruguay . In addition to his six goals, Rodriguez also registered two assists in his five appearances. A breath of fresh air.

(Special Mention: Toni Kroos, Germany)

Wing

Arjen Robben, Netherlands

The last living machine... Arjen Robben

The player of the tournament in my book, Arjen Robben was lively in every single game and only came up short of another World Cup final appearance because of Mascherano’s studs (see earlier above pic) and the lottery of penalties.  A freak of nature who seems to be getting better with age, Robben had the most shots from counterattacks at the World Cup, with four. He is an absolute machine.

(Special Mention: Mesut Özil, Germany)

Wing

Thomas Müller, Germany

The most undercoverly dangerous footballer alive? Yes. Whenever Thomas Müller is on the pitch there is a threat for goals. His versatility was key for Germany at this tournament. He started off as a false nine but was then moved wide to accommodate Miroslav Klose as Germany looked to have more of a focal point in attack and also more work power on the flanks.

Big chances created

Thomas Müller	Germany	5
Arjen Robben	Netherlands	4
Lionel Messi	Argentina	4
Toni Kroos	Germany	3
Josip Drmic	Switzerland	3
Andrés Iniesta	Spain	3
Sami Khedira	Germany	3
Wesley Sneijder	Netherlands	3

Because he works so hard, Muller was able to help Germany defend from the front, while also adding dynamism on offence whenever Germany were on the attack. As a result, no one in Brazil was involved in more goals than Muller. An incredible football player.

(Special Mention: Bryan Ruiz, Costa Rica)

Striker

Lionel Messi, Argentina

The World Cup Golden Ball winner, though that’s maybe acknowledgment for what Messi achieved at this tournament after the heavy criticism he’s been subjected to in the past. He faded somewhat as the tournament reached the final stages but Messi was still brilliant and played a massive part in Argentina’s first World Cup final in 24 years. Superstar.

Assists open play

Lionel Messi	Argentina	16
Mesut Özil	Germany	14
Thomas Müller	Germany	13
Xherdan Shaqiri	Switzerland	13
Eden Hazard	Belgium	11

(Special Mention: Neymar, Brazil)

    The Dream Team #2014

    Neuer

  Lahm    Hummels   De Vrij   Blind

      Mascherano   Schweinsteger

     Rodriguez

 Robben   Messi    Müller