Fantasy Football - Arsenal vs Chelsea vs Liverpool vs Manchester United
At the risk of flogging a long-dead horse, I’m taking this squad mashup idea to its logical conclusion (for me at least).
If you were asked to pick a starting 11 out of the top four Premiership clubs (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool & Manchester United, in case you are a Tottenham or Newcastle fan…), what would your lineup look like?
Before we continue though, a short preamble.
Previous Incarnations:
Why:
Because there is no point to it, because fantasy football turns us footie fans on (the only thing better is your team winning, or football babes, and because England are playing a sucky team today for another meaningless Euro 2008 qualifier.
What if I don’t give a flying fuck:
Then you can talk about whatever you want here.
Ok, now if we can just move along to the juicy stuff…
The mega-squad mashup - Picking 11 outstanding players out of 4 top clubs - Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool & Manchester United.
Squad Selection
Formation: 4-4-2
Flexible (can play 4-4-1, 4-5-1 or 4-3-3 with the same set of players (maximum one substitution).
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United)
Facts can be twisted to suit almost any line of thought. Wenger is a better manager than Fergie because he used less money and had immediate success. Fergie is better than Wenger because he had nothing to build upon, and because he forged his career on making lesser players come together and form a team that just could not be beaten and refused to give up.
The real debate for me was Mourinho vs Ferguson, because we’re not talking transfer policies and long-term development, we talking about immediate impact and making disparate elements play together like a great team.
Logically it’s a tie, although if I bias it then Ferguson comes out on top because of his experience and because he has mounted more ‘comebacks’ than Mourinho…I wonder what the Special One would do if Chelsea were 10 points behind United in February? Would he be able to help his team win the Premiership? I wouldn’t bet on anyone else apart from Ferguson managing such a feat.
Goalkeeper: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United)
van der Sar over Lehmann and Reina for his command of the box, superior positioning and aerial ability. Cech over Lehmann and Reina for the same.
Cech has faster reflexes, but van der Sar is more experienced. Who do you pick? I really don’t know, so I’ll succumbed to bias and plump for van der Sar. One of the hardest decisions to make, as nothing separates the two.
Rightback: William Gallas (Arsenal)
I’m cheating again by sticking a centre-back at right-back, but leaving Gallas out of the team is folly and his attacking instincts make him a strong, marauding full-back. Gary Neville lacks the pace, Ferriera is not as defensively solid as Gallas while Finnan and Lauren and Eboue are not as proven (or as good) as him in all departments (although Eboue is peerless in attacking while Lauren’s positioning is excellent).
Centrehalf #1: John Terry (Chelsea)
Makes the grade because of his willingness to hunt the ball down and take the game to the opposition. His critics say that he gets away with murder but that’s only a small part of the story. He’s not the best defender of the lot, but he gives 200% where everyone else is giving 110%, and that gives him the edge.
Centrehalf #2: Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United)
A close call between Rio and Toure. Rio’s reputation of lacking concentration is annoyingly justified, but when riled up the defender is unarguably the best the Premiership has seen in a long while. Rio needs to be paired with a solid defender to really perform well (see his performances with Vidic for Manchester United) and he is good captain material as well.
Leftback: Ashley Cole (Chelsea)
Gabriel Heinze vs Ashley Cole - who would you pick? Cole wins out for his sheer pace and quality crossing, although Heinze is probably more aggressive. Not a fun decision to make, this one. If this was my team I’d let objectivity be damned and pick Heinze.
Right wing: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
Pennant? Rosicky? SWP? You’re joking, right?
Holding midfielder: Michael Essien (Chelsea)
Essien is better defensively than Alonso, Fabregas and Carrick, and he gives his team a little extra impetus going forward - something that Makelele and Sissoko lack. He is in Keano’s and Vieira’s mould, and that’s about as high a compliment that you can give a midfielder.
Attacking midfielder: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
The old Lampard vs Gerrard debate 
I’d pick Gerrard because with Ronaldo and Joe Cole in the team you have a roving middle-three that can switch around and cause the opposition a lot of problems (and with the front-two that I’m picking, that’s 5 players who can float around). Plus I rate Stevie higher than Frank, but that’s a separate issue.
Left wing: Joe Cole (Chelsea)
Robben, van Persie, Rosicky…all three could have made it here, but Joe Cole wins out on all the stakes - long shots, ability to play for the team, superior wing play, excellent crossing ability, etc etc. It’s tough to leave out Ryan Giggs here, but age is not in his favor.
Striker #1: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
No questions.
Striker #2: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
Once again, no questions.
Final Picks
Formation: 4-4-2
Manager: Ferguson
Team: van der Sar, Gallas, Terry, Ferdinand, A. Cole, Ronaldo, Essien, Gerrard, J. Cole, Henry, Rooney
Scores: Arsenal (2), Chelsea (4), Manchester United (4), Liverpool (1).
Your best 11?
Let us know who you’d pick in your dream team in the comments below.
- Arsenal v Liverpool v Chelsea v Manchester United - Away Records Against Each Other
- Liverpool Have A Point To Prove
- Liverpool takeover leaves Arsenal poor, raises questions
- Chelsea FC deserve every football fan’s respect
- The Premiership Title Race: Arsenal lead Manchester United and Chelsea while Liverpool look lost
Discussion - 30 Responses
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Comments are moderated (our comments policy).
Cech, Cole, Gallas, Toure, Neville, Ronaldo, Robben, Makelele, Gerrard, Fabregas, Henry - 4-5-1
4 Chelsea, 2 Man Utd, 4 Arsenal, 1 Liverpool
Lehmann-Eboue-Toure-Gallas-Heinze-Gerrard-Alonso-Fabregas-Ronaldo-Henry-Rooney.
Subs-Cech, Terry, Essien, Rosicky, Shevchenko
Erm ahmed - I have to say, I think your argument against mourinho is fairly pointless. The fact is that he would never get his team into a situation in which they trailed the leaders by 10 points. It simply would not happen. Mourinho’s teams for the last four seasons have started quickly, continued powerfully and ended strongly. Ferguson’s teams have not done so (at least not recently).
I agree with most of ur choices. There is nothing really to choose between Van der Sar and Cech. I would prefer to choose Heinze over A. Cole simply because, of his aggresive ability to tackle. Eventually thats wat defenders have to do. Also, i don’t agree with the selection at the left wing.Yes, Joe Cole is good, but Robben on his day, is simply awesome in this position. Then there is also Ryan Giggs. During his heyday, he was simply the best. He is a little older now, but again, if early season form is anything to go by, Giggs would deff merit a place in the first eleven. For me, this would be the trickiest choice of the eleven. With that being said, I’d prob go for Robben.
Cech - Ferreira, Terry, Gallas, Cole - Ronaldo, Essien, Gerrard, Cole - Henry, Kuyt
In other words, why pick someone who can get you OUT of a bad situation when you could have someone who would never get you IN to one?
Totally agree with your choices. Regarding the manager I think you should just admit you’re biased :-)It’s impossible rank these 4 managers - they are totally different characters and their teams just show it.
van der sar
eboue-toure-gallas-cole
ronaldo-essien-fabregas-gerrard-cole
henry
subs: lehman, terry, lampard, rosicky, rooney.
manager: wenger.
=)
You are ignorin the fat that certain players like Gary Neville are simply the best in their postions. Playing a a “superior” talent like Gallas there doesn’t make him a better fullbak than Neville.
My TEAM:
Manager: Jose Mourniho
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Keeper: Edvin Van De Sar
Rightback: Gary Neville
Leftback: Wayne Bridge (For his crossing ability)
Centerback: Rio Ferdinand
Centerback: Kolo Toure
First central midfielder: Steven Gerrard
Second central midfielder: Momo Sissoko
Right wing forward: Joe Cole
Deep central forward: Wayne Rooney
Left wing forward: Cristiano Ronaldo
Centerforward: Thiery Henry
Bench:
Ryan Giggs
William Gallas
Xabi Alonso
Tomas Rosicky
Louis Saha
Peter Cech
Glberto Silva
My team
GK: Cheh
RB: Finan -Gallas no he is a CB, finan is better defensively than Eboue, Nevile is past prime
CB: Gallas, Terry (Rio, Toure kidding??? both coudnt make mark last year how do i rate them?)
LB:Cole
Note: I went for attacking but solid Full backs, I kept out gallas from wing because it cuts out my attacking options
DM:Essien
RM:Ronaldo
CM:Gerrad
LM:Robean , If i play a more attacking shadow striker in place of rooney , i will opt for J Cole
SS:Rooney
CF:Henry
Liverpool :2,Arsanal:2 ,manU:2 ,Chelsea:5
My team:
Manager: Furgeson.
Reason- I admit that Mourinho is currently a better manager, but, if the name of my team is Manchester United, then his ‘playing-style’ preference will not suit the club. Therefore, SAF.
4-4-2
GK: Cech
RB: Neville
CB: Terry
CB: Ferdinand
LB: Henze
LM: Giggs (Age is against him, but I understand the ‘criteria’ of picking the team to be on ‘current form’)
CM: Gerrard
CM: Essien
RM: …obviously…
ST: …obviously…
ST: …obviously…
ManUnited - 6
Chelsea - 3
Arsenal - 1
Liverpool - 1
Strange thing… Now that I look at the Manchester United team (after this excersice) I must admit… Our team’s not THAT bad. We actually have a very good team
:-) 
——–Cech—————
Neville–Terry–Gallas—A.Cole
J.Cole–Essien–Gerrard–Robben
——-Henry—-Drogba—–
This team would kick serious ass.
A) Gallas/ Terry at the back is statistically the best ever defensive pair in the EPL.
b) Acole/ bridge for left back - Heinze is good but I choose Acole or bridge as they are british and play for the CFc.
c) Being fair - Gerrard is a better AM then Lampard so I dropped him - but I feel Essien is ideal for the holding role
d) Ronaldo is a great player but again I would choose Joe Cole as he is just a good and is british
e) Henry Drogba up front - savage. Rooney was tight as he is a great talent.
Manager-Sir Alex. Done enough to deserve it.
GK-van der saar
RB-Neville - still top dog for a year or so
CB-Toure - pace and power
CB-Terry - power and Aerial ability
LB-Heinze - Top left back, cole not as good defensively
RM-Ronaldo - No contest
CM-Makalele - Still the best holding midfielder
CM-Gerrard - No contest again
LM-Giggs-exerience and ability, although lacking pace. Cole is the other option for me
CF-Henry No one else can challeng the front two
CF-Rooney
Bench:
Cech,Eboue,Gallas,Essien,Scholes,Fabregas,JCole,Saha
I know I’m just a stupid American, but why isn’t Michael Ballack even in contention for a midfield spot? What am I missing?
My Team: Man Utd
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
GK: Van Der Sar (i’ll take the top dutch keeper any day)
RB: Neville ( but i like Phil Bardsley on loan at Rangers)
CB: John Terry (man got chelsea front door like fort knox)
CB: Vivic (yeh.. give him some more time better dan RIO)
LB: Heinze (tough tackling fierce shot great ball play)
RWM: Ronaldo ( just gotta learn to pass a lil more often)
CAM: Gerrard (at times he looks good)
CDM: Essien (strong fast and very good on the ball)
LWM: GIGGS (14 yrs on d flank an still can run past d lads)
RS: Rooney
LS: Henry
this is my ultimate starting 11…
as for d manager battle…. i like fergie an all.. but murinho has the better right now..
he beat SAF with Porto and won d CL, came to EPL an sorta owns it right now….
but as we all know SAF loves a fight and i really feel dis our year…
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
Edwin van der Sar
William Gallas
Rio Ferdinand
John Terry
Gabriel Heinze
Cristiano Ronaldo
Michael Ballack
Steven Gerrard
Robin van Persie
Thierry Henry
Louis Saha
Manchester United - 6(count the manager?), Arsenal - 3, Chelsea - 2, Liverpool - 1
GK: cech (and sometimes van der sar-in cases of penalties-)
LB: evra
CB: vidic
CB: terry
RB: gerimi
CDM: essien
CAM: gerrard
RM: ronaldo
LM: robben
RS: rooney
LS: drogba
lehman
eboue
toure
terry
a.cole
rosiscky
ronaldo
essien
gerrard
van persi
t.henry
coachy:fergson subs; rooney,gallas,robben,fabregas,gilberto
Team would be based on talent not current form:
Cech
Neville/Gallas)
Terry
Ferdinand
A Cole (Evra)
Ronaldo
Essien (Younger than Makelle)
Gerrard (Fabregas)(Lampard) (Scholes in heyday.)
J Cole Robben (Giggs in heyday)
Henry
Rooney
reina
finnan
terry
rio
riise
ronaldo
gerrard
mascherano
giggs
henry
bellamy
(lfc-6)(man utd-3)(chelsea-1)(arsenal-1)
- Lehman
- Toure
- Eboue
- Gallas
- Senderos
- G.Silva
- Fabregas
- Diaby
- t.Rosicky
- V.Persie
- Henry
manager;ferguson
gk; van der sar
rb;neville cb;ferdinand cb;vidic lb;evra
rw;ronaldo cdm;hargreaves cam;anderson lw;nani
rf;rossi lf;rooney
beside which is better than true and proven champs
go united
Manager- ALex ferguson- Best manager ever!!
GK- Van der sar- Quality keeper an vedry experienced
RB- Richards- Young but it a brilliant talent
CB- Ferdinand- Best defender in the prem. Very calm
CB- Vidic- 2nd best defender in the prem. Very brave
LB- Evra- Wee speed merchant, full of skill,
DM- Essien- Brilliant player. scare the shit out off any1
RAM- Ronaldo\
CAM- Rooney- these three r always interchanging
LAM- Tevez /
ST- Drogba- Hitman, n wit Rooney, ronaldo and tevez behind him we will always score goals.
I sa that Arsenal is in a good way. My Team Arsenal : Cech, Gallas, terry, Ferdinand, A.cole, Essien, C.Ronaldo, J.Cole, Gerrard, V.Persie, Drogba
courch banitez
raina
left back evra
centre rio and terry
right gallas
wing ronalno
center mid anderson and fabrigas
joe cole
striker torrez and tevez
subs brown vidic babal drogber
my best teams is the mufc so thats why more united players
Manager: Benitez (2 European Champions League Finals in 3 years says it all really!)
Gk: Reina
RB: Gallas
LB: A.Cole
CB: Terry
CB: Agger
RW: Ronaldo
CM: Gerrard
CM: Fabregas
CM: Mascherano
LW: Kewell
CF: Torres
I would put this team up against any in the world, let alone any on here!
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson
GK: Edwin van der Sar
RB: William Gallas
CB: Rio Ferdinand
CB: John Terry
LB: Patrice Evra
RM: Cristiano Ronaldo
CM: Paul Scholes
CM: Steven Gerrard
LM: Ryan Giggs (Legend. How many players won 10 premier leagues?)
FC: Fernando Torres/Carlos Tevez
FC: Wayne Rooney
Manchester United - 9(counting the manager & Tevez), Arsenal - 0, Chelsea - 2, Liverpool - 2 (inc. Torres)
Cech (nothing to pick between him and van der sar?! come on)
Sagna Vidic Ferdinand Clichy
Hleb Fabregas Essien Ronaldo
Rooney Drogba
Manager: Arsene Wenger
GK:Cech
RB:Sagna
CB:Terry
CB:Rio
LB:Evra
RM:Ronaldo(who else?)
DCM:Essien
LM:Nani
ACM:Gerald
CF:Drogba
CF:Torres
Arsenal:1, Chelsea:4, Liverpool:2, Man Utd:4
Subs(Adebayor, Rooney, Fabregas, Anderson, Toure)