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
