FC Copenhagen boss Stale Solbakken may have accused Manchester City of  ‘destroying’ football ahead of the two sides UEFA Cup meeting but I for one am not so sure. It is always good to see the teams at the top challenged and I expect City to push them a lot further than they failed to do this season. 

He also accused City of not being a big enough club to attract the truly world-class players, this may be true(ish) at the moment so I’ve put together my best XI world wide of targets City should get if money was the only thing they needed.  Like Mike Basset I will be playing 4-4-2.

Goalkeeper – Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus.

I don’t think I need to explain this one too much, easily the best goalkeeper in the world for me.

Left-back – Gael Clichy, Arsenal

I was a bit torn on this one.  I also thought about Evra from Manchester United but even in this fictitious blogging world I’ve created I’m not sure Sir Alex would let Patrice move to the other side of Manchester.  I think Clichy is a player of pure quality though, he is a decent defender but has real quality attacking down the left-wing and stepped up to take Ashley Cole’s place at Arsenal easily.  To be honest I think he might have taken Cole’s spot if he had stayed with the Gunners.

Centre-half (2) – Fabio Cannavaro, Real Madrid & Carlos Puyol, Barcelona

For me Cannavaro is the best centre-half in the world.  One of the few Italians who has been able to adapt outside of Serie A he is a top-quality player even at the age of 35.  Puyol has pace and skill on the ball as well as being an excellent defender.

Right-back – Glen Johnson, Portsmouth

This might come across as a bit of a strange one but you need a few English players in the team and I rate Johnson.  I think he will move to a bigger club than Portsmouth (no disrespect to Pompey) and should establish himself as England’s first choice right-back in the near future.

Left-midfield – Ashley Young, Aston Villa

Young has been amazing this season and I have no idea why Stewart Downing is ahead of him in the England team.  Young has destroyed teams on his own this season and at 23-years-old he will still improve.  The former Watford player should establish his place in the England side fairly soon and there aren’t many players I’d start ahead of him on the left.

Central-midfield – Xavi & Iniesta, both Barcelona

I’ve absolutely decimated the Barca team here I know but I don’t think you’ll be able to find a better midfield pair than these two.  They work so well together and read the play so well its almost unfair they both play for the same club (and country).  I could have gone for any two from about 20 in the middle of the park but for me there is no better pairing in midfield.

Right-midfield – David Beckham, LA Galaxy

Ok, probably not the best choice but it would be pretty funny to see Becks in a City shirt!

Centre-Forward (2) Lionel Messi, Barcelona & David Villa, Valencia

Arguably the best attacking players in the world.  Both would light-up the Premier League and I would love to see Villa especially make a move to England.  Unfortunately Villa says he doesn’t want to come to England, I’m sure City could persuade him if they threw enough dosh his way though.

Written by Gareth Freeman, a sports writer who write about football betting for Betfair.