The Ultimate 5-a-Side Team
If you could form the ultimate five-a-side football team who would you pick? I’ve been thinking about mine for the last couple of days and I ‘think’ I have finally narrowed it down; so I thought I’d write this and submit it before I change my mind again!
In goal I think I would have to have Italy’s number one Gianluigi Buffon. At the top of his game he’s the best by far in the world. Although he will be 30 next year he still has the physical ability and reflexes required from goalkeepers at the highest standard. The guy was born into a sporting family so he was destined to become the best in his game! He was really important in helping Juventus get promoted back into Serie A after they were demoted with the whole match-fixing scandal and was deservedly offered a new contract once they were promoted which will keep him at the club until 2012. Need to mention Petr Cech but still sticking with Buffon for his experience.
Now in defence I debated for a while whether I’d have two defenders or two midfielders and in the end opted for the latter option, simply as it was too hard to cut out one of the midfielders I had in mind! Therefore the rock in my defence and captain would be John Terry. Some of you may think I’m biased for sticking an Englishman in there, maybe I am, but he plays with so much passion for club and country its difficult not to add him. He never backs out of a tackle and always gives 110%. Now that’s praise seeing as I’m an Arsenal fan! The guy is so hard that after he got a full boot to the face last season from Abou Diaby, spasmed on the pitch and was rushed to hospital he discharged himself just a few hours later to celebrate with his team-mates after winning the Carling Cup and was back playing the following week!!
Those two midfielders I mentioned: Kaká and Cesc Fabregas. Again many of you might argue this now and start saying Ronaldinho but judging from this season I wouldn’t want him. Kaká and Fabregas are the driving forces in their teams and have the creativity and awareness to change a game and get results for their teams. They never stop running and so the two of them together will be absolutely lethal. Some of you might say I’ve chosen Fabregas because I’m a Gooner and you’re right. It’s my team and he’s too good! Cristiano Ronaldo is someone I considered a lot too but the two I’ve gone for edge it for three reasons: 1) still can’t forgive him for “winkergate”, 2) he plays for Utd and 3) he’s too arrogant. I’ll have him as a sub.
That just leaves the one striker. I’ve thought about this a lot and found it the hardest to select the attacking players. Thierry Henry is a favourite but his last year with us was hardly worth remembering and this season he’s still adapting at Barcelona. On his day he’d have to be in there straight away. So would Fernando Torres or Wayne Rooney who I’m big admirers of also but I think for his raw skill, confidence for his age and team-work I’ve got to choose Lionel Messi. He can finish, he can run with it, he’s good in the air (with his hands – backup for Buffon in that case!) and he can set up goals. An all round forward and he’s only 20!
.
Final five:
GK – Buffon
DF – Terry
MID – Kaká, Fàbregas
F – Messi
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Obviously most of you probably won’t agree and everyone’s going to have their own opinion, so let me know what yours is by adding your comments below.
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Awesome team!
My view on 5 a side:
* Need people that’s comfortable on the ball.
* Very comfortable dribbling.
* Can tackle (had Ronaldinho, but he lost out to Anderson due to this trait).
* Can shoot.
(I know I have a ManU bias, but I can’t help it if these players are perfect for the role?!?)
GK: Cech
DEF: Rio
MID: Anderson, Ronaldo
ST: Rooney
Alternatives to strikers - Eto, Henry
Considered players who only play five a side?
Can’t name any though but really can’t be bothered to think about making a team of five with all these world class players…
But 5 a side is really fun
My team:
1.Casillas
2.Michael Essien
3.Anderson
4.Ronaldinho
5.Cristiano Ronaldo
In five-a-side, the most important traits are ball skills and pace. You beat one player and you are virtually through one on one with the keeper. Ronaldinho and Ronaldo would be virtually impossible to defend against. Essien and Anderson as defenders/midfielders virtually have it all, and would complement each other well. Both are sound defensively with a really good engine. Watch this boy Anderson develop, he will become a true world great. I have chosen Casillas over Cech and Buffon because of his fantastic reflexes and spring. His slightly shorter stature might also be better suited to the smaller goal frame dimensions of the five-a-side game, where it’s more important to get down low quickly.
Come on guys, put out a different five to beat my little lot above.
James, I’d fancy my lot to beat yours. Is there anyway of putting the different teams in a computer programme or games programme (for 5-a-side) and running it to see who the computer would bring out on top?
GK: Buffon
DEF: Rio
MID: Anderson, Ronaldo
ST: Tevez
Kasper Schmeichel
Essien
Ronaldo, Rooney
Tevez
Cech, if not Reina
Sergio Ramos
Fabregas
Gerrard
F. Torres (it would have been Anelka if it wasn’t for the Embarressing miss he had against Liverpool in the 4-0 win of Liverpool)
Can’t fault your selection EXCEPT for Terry. I think he’s overrated. I agree he’s got the passion & drive but i would take Cannavarro over him any day.
Cech,ronaldo,messi,kaka,gattuso
Given
Terry
C.Ronaldo Messi
Drogba
my team:
1.abbondanzieri
2puyol
3messi
4c.ronaldo
5ronaldinho
Leo Franco (brilliant reflexes)
Vidic (will not dwell on the ball in defence - the single most imporant thing in five-a-side)
Gerrard (the work horse and passer)
Zlatan (the aforementioned skills)
Klose (You cannot really appreciate enough someone like van Nisterloy, Crespo or Pipo in these situations so Klose is like them but he is also hard working)
A bit unorthodox, I will admit, but I have played this game for about four years in a team and this what I see as essentals.
my team:
1.almunia
2toure
3fabregas
4hleb
5RVP
=))=))=))
i would say my five would b
buffon
toure
fabregas,gerrard
anelka
kahn, gattuso, hargo, anderson, cronaldo
Frankie, I think my team could have beaten yours (if they weren’t the same players). Especially if I brig my reserve-keeper on - O’ Shea
Forgot about Essien. I think he will be the perfect defender.
GK James
DEF Zanetti
MID Gerrard Ronaldinho
FOR Torres
Phil Neville for GK!
No, my real choices would be Buffon, Rio, Ronaldo, Kaka and Rooney.
Gigi Buffon
Alessandro Nesta
Cristiano Ronaldo + Kaka’
Leo Messi
Good picks James, allow me to comment.
Goalkeeper: Gigi Buffon, no discussion. If you have the choice, pick the best.
Defender: I’d have to disagree on your choice of John Terry as a defender. In 5-a-side technical skills are a must because everyone defends and everyone attacks. So in that light, I’d pick a defensive midfielder over a center-back, but one that can also play with the ball and shoot on target. I agree with some of the players the others picked (Michael Essien notably… I’d even pick Edgar Davids in his prime years).
Midfielders: Again, skilled players good at passing, dribbling and shooting. My picks: Ronaldinho and Kaká. When it comes to pure technical skills, there’s no one better than these two, although I’d consider putting Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi on the bench.
Striker: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, without a shadow of a doubt. What most of you seem to be forgetting is that in 5-a-side the center forward must be skilled with the ball yes, but must also have considerable weight and ability to play with his back to the goal. In futsal, this role is called a “pivot”, which is best exemplified by Cirilo the Russian Brazilian-born futsal player who is perhaps considered the best pivot in Europe at this time. On top of being a tall player with extraordinary body balance, Zlatan has also the added advantage of being extremely skilled with his feet. He can not only turn and shoot, but also set up his team-mates for a shot. In a small surface like a 5-a-side field, he’d be the perfect striker for any team to have. In top form, I would also consider giving this role to Adriano, except that he’s been playing like crap for the past year.
GK - Casillas without a doubt. The only thing holding back Iker Casillas from being the undisputable best goalkeeper in the world is his ineptitude at crosses. His reflexes and one-on-ones are second-to-none. As such, he would excel in a 5-a-side format.
D/MC - Essien. I don’t want Rio in there because he’s going to try something too clever and fuck it up. Essien’s engine is unbelievable.
M - Cristiano Ronaldo. He has everything, and I disagree with anyone who says that Ronaldinho is more skilful. Ronaldo is also a much harder worker and plays at a quicker pace.
M - Kaká. Quick, physically formidable, skilful, an amazing finisher, and an easy pick.
F - Rooney. Rooney has the physical presence, stamina and skills to flourish in the 5-a-side arena. I’d take him over someone like Ibrahimovic because he is simply much more agile, and Ibrahimovic’s height is wasted inside.
My 5 a side team:
GK - Peter Cech
DEF - Rio Ferdinand
MID - Anderson
MID - Cristiano Ronaldo
ATT - Wayne Rooney
why?
in my opinion cech is the best keeper in the business. he never gives up.
ferdinand is one half of the best centre backs in the business (rio and terry) but as i’m a united supporter…
in 5 a side football a lot of one touch football is played so it had to be anderson
i chose ronaldo because he is the best player in the world and can lend a hand in attack.
rooney because he always wants to play and always wants to score. he’s a good finisher and a good header.
SUBS:
Iker Casillas
Kaka
Lionel Messi
Hey there Hugo, good to see you back!
has it occured 2 anybody that 5-a-side is very different from competitive football? have u all not played b4?
then u must no that 5-a-side means little space 4 craftiness, dribblingn shooting. so, my side
buffon
puyol
sissoko
ronaldo bullard
Anybody who has played 5 a side (which I’m taking to be futsal as that is the world’s primary 5 a side game) will know that you don’t have set defenders and attackers, everyone does everything, so defenders who aren’t great on the ball are pretty much useless.
My team:
gk - buffon
outfield - fabregas kaka messi ronaldo
top 5
buffon
ramos
kaka
navas
messi
id also take ibrahimovic,C.ronaldo as subs)
i would have
GK: Igor Akinfeev (not that well known but is growing into a great keeper and is currently great in my eyes.)
DEF: William Gallas (he can attack and defend quick and tough as well.)
MID: Cesc Fabergas (the best midfielder in the world in my eyes can attack and track back if needed.)
HARD CHOICE FOR SECOND MIDFFIELDER BUT
Cristiano Ronaldo: (quality player the equal best with fabergas has great speed and ball control and a monster shot great palyer all round.)
FWD: has to be the worls best striket Henry cant look past him he is quality and will always score that pressure goal that you need.)
SUBS
GK:Petr Cech
DEF:Lucas Neill
MID:Kaka
FWD:Carlo Vela (like akinfeev another youngster promising youngster with great skill already.)
thats who i rekon is the best 5 a side team
I play 5 a side every friday and sometimes monday and we have no defenders but we have 2 strong midfielders (im not one of them im the other midfielder
) so i think Fabreagas, Messi, Ronaldo and kaka might be walked through
Brillo article, well analysed but I’d have;
(Note: I’m an Arsenal Fan so I’ll try and not be so bias)
Keeper - Cech, much younger then Buffon and gives 110% everytime he steps onto the pitch, very commited keeper
Defender - Essien, very very physical, won’t hold back and keeps a cool head, unless you’re Kenny Miller, then it’s like Britney and a Shaver, just doesn’t go!
Midfield - Fabregas, this young spaniard is currently in his best form since some years now, actually scoring and orchestrating the Arsenal midfield, very good on the ball.
Hleb - Say what? He will mess up any team who don’t have dirty players in who are out to injure him on purpose (Nobles a name that comes to mind, the scumbag). A masterclass of a player and links well with Fab.
Striker - Ibrahimovic, Best thing to come out of Sweden by far, rather youthful still, around 26, very very good on the ball and will run circles around most defences in the world.
Hey emilio calleja, we have the same team. Great minds think alike hey?
Strange, no matter what, 2 names always seems to pop up:
Kaka
Ronaldo
I guess they are the hottest footballing properties at the moment
I’m surprised that so many of you guys have ruled out Ronaldhino. Ronaldhino on a 5-a-side pitch would be phenomenal. Also surprising is that no one has given Robinho a mention. Right now, Robinho is matching Messi as the hottest player in Spain. In fact, a purely Brazilian five would give any of our selections above a real run for their money.
Dida
Roberto Carlos
Anderson
Kaka
Ronaldinho
Subs:
Robinho
Adriano
Alves
Guys, ignore my double misspelling of “Ronaldinho”, and just deal with the point.
Buffon
Gallas
Kaka
Ronaldo
Drogba
we this lot I can defend and attack better than anyone else. The two best players in the world infront of a tough defender and the world Best Keeper. . Led by a physical goal monster upfront.
5-a-side is not futsal. Futsal is futsal. 5-a-side is played on an artifical pitch which is one quarter the size of a real pitch. The nets are as big as those from futsal. To have only attacking players in a game like this would be like killing yourself.
everybody does attack and defend, but it is a bit like ice hockey. In positional attacks - like those of Arsenal these days - the defender stays about 25-35 yards from the opposition goal and gives his attackers the opportunity to pull the ball back in case they are in trouble.
When the ball comes back one of the midfielders slots into a defensive position, the other stays a bit ahead of them and tries to inctercept passes or block shots while the attacker would mark the opposition defender to make sure he does not get a chance to do anything if he gets the ball.
All of this gets thrown out the window when sombeody gets a quick break. When that happens one player stays back - does not matter who, could be the forward - and the other charge towrd the net or give the oppotrunity for a pull back. The defending team would have to defend to man in this situation. In positional attacks metioned earlier the defence is done by zone most of the time so players do not get caught out of position.
Mine would include talent experience and speed together
Of course there can be n goalkeeper except Buffon
My defender would have to be strong, agile, quick AND experienced so no better choice than Kolo Toure
My Midfielders would have to be a mixture of pure talent and some wits. Unlike many i would include Paul Scholes and Fabregas. Although they both have a different style of game play but they do have alot in common that could prove lethal
My lone Attacker would be someone who can take on a whole defence on their own and no better choice than Messi
So My team is
Buffon
Kolo
Scholes,Fabregas
Messi
Buffon
Nesta
Gerrard
Rooney
Van Nistelrooy
Don’t scrape bout Ruud, he never misses infront of the goal and that’s what you need in 5-aside.
gk cech
def carnevarro
mf c ronaldo,kaka
fwd rooney
Aren’t the goals in five-a-side much smaller? Anyways this is my team:
Keeper - Rooney
Defence/Midfield - Fabregas, Scholes
Midfield/Attack - Henry, Messi
Keeper: Elephant
Defence: Buffalo
Midfield: Chimpanzee, Gazelle
Attack: Cheetah
This team is called ‘the Animals’! ha ha
Dr Dolittle, the team is called “the Animals” and they play and smell like bullshit! ha ha
Cech , Puyol , Messi , Ronaldo , Rooney ….I put Puyol xause he is the best when the ball is not in the air….I could also use Rio or Lucio cause they can kick the ball very well…..Cech is the fastest goalkeeper and you don’t need a Buffon who has the right positioning but isn’t so fast.I really wonder if any footballer could beat them on a 5×5 game….. Messi and Ronaldo are there because they pass-score-dribble …Rooney is there , possiply, cause I support MU …. We also want somebody who gets yellow or red cards without reason an Rooney is capable of that
[…] customary ball possession training session and the keep-ball game. The day is rounded off with a five-a-side game. That’s it; it’s over now. Quite easy, isn’t […]
Cech
Terry
Essien Kaka
Drogba
I rally hate to have 4 Chelsea players in there because it looks like I am being completely biased but my reasoning for each, except Cech:
Terry - Passion, pride, determined work ethic and barely misses a tackle.
Essien - Completely underrated, as he is one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the entire world. Cannon of a shot and great distribution, with a lightning quick acceleration after the first touch.
Drogba - THE best physical striker in the entire world. Great in the air and controlling any balls delivered up to him, and important with the physical style of football I would want these five to play.
That is my very physical lineup; if I could have five players on the bench, I would want these players to intermittenly switch with the five I have listed to create different styles:
Wayne Rooney - pace and power, clinical finisher
Cesc Fabregas - midfield general, good defense
Robinho - pace dribbling and skillful moves on the ball.
C. Ronaldo - Quick, great pace, best dribbler on team.
Makalele - Stll the best holding midfielder in the world; can play him in back rather than Terry.
Peter Schmeichel, Pele, Maradona, Cruyff and Cantona
Guyz learn from the coach, in five a side u need technical skills but a gain you need a strike who can hold the ball and wait for the other guys to come on in cases where you meet the Mourinho mould of managers;(two defenders,good holding midfielders and a good keeper like cech or buffon).now with such an opposing team here the pipo u would need in your own team:
Keeper: Good on one on ones and wonderful reflexes, trust me, many would come in such a game. And that leaves the answer as Buffon.
Defender: On comfortable on the ball and good in all fields i.e passing and aerial balls and with a great game reading. The answer, non other than Rio Ferdinand.
Midfielders: Perfect at defending the ball and ofcourse marvellous at striking it with the utmost technique while in possession of that round thing and not forgetting had to disposes. Wow, that brings in Cristiano Ronaldo and Alexander Hleb.
Striker: Ofcourse a giant, with good technical skills all rounder ie good in aerial ball, on the ground and with ability to hold the ball n wait 4 his teammates in case of a clearance from the keeper or defender coz those situations would also be many in this scenario. The solution would thus be Dimitri Berbatov.
So the solution to the brain teaser is:
Gianluigi Buffon
Rio ferdinand
Cristiano Ronaldo
Alexander Hleb
Dimitri Berbatov
GK- Iker Casillas - Hands down bets reflexes and one on one ability of any keeper in the world today.Only thing stopping him form overtaking Buffon is his lack of size for a keeper(6′0). Cech wouldnt deserve to lick his cleats if he was his height. And in 5 a side, reflexes are what you need at keeper.
CB-Rio Ferdinand - Here you need someone who reads the game well, has good positioning, and has good technique and passing ability needed to handle the ball, and he cant be a slouch when it comes to tackling but the above attributes are more valued. What your looking for is more of a sweeper then stopper on the cb spectrum(beckenbauer would be PERFECT for the position if he played today). It was a tossup between Carvalho and Ferdinand for me. Carvalho ha sbetter positioning IMO but Rio is equally proficient at readign the game and passing and is a better tackler and also much stronger in the air. The fact that in the United system the ball starts through Ferdinand form the back also aide dint eh decision. IMO, In a few years time Gerard Pique will be the perfect canidate for this spot doing all the things needed exceptionally well.
CM- Fabregas and Ronaldinho - Extreme technical ability Creativity, Vision, Decision Making, and passing are whats needed for this position. And in 5×5 games where one-twos and quick passes are essential, these guys are the best at it. You have to have technique in abundance to dribble and controlt he ball and must be able to make things happen, pull the strings, have the vision to see the field 2 or 3 passes before u get the ball, and be able to pick out the right person to pass to, all this at 10x th enormal speed of the game(am i allowed to copy and paset form FM 08?..lol). As much as it hurts me to pick Fabs’s gooner ass, he and the samba king are the best at this and would make defenders nuts if they played together.
F- Thierry Henry - The ultimate 5×5 player IMO. Has the absolute perfect height required(6′0) where hes not too big for the small field and not to small where he can be brushed off the ball by defenders(imagine what would happen if robinho or messi had to hold up the ball). Henry also has the agility and speed of people much smaller in size then him. This coupled with technical ability and passing that has no superiors, and add in his deadly finishing, Henry is a blueprint for what a 5-a-side player should be. hes a once in a few generation player. I dont blame is “:struggles” this season at Barc aon him having lost his ability overnight but rather with fitting into the system at Barca.
Subs
GK-Buffon(next best set of skills needed for the game)
CB- Carvalho( narrowly lost out to Ferdinand. Hes almost a Rio copy without the speed)
MF- Ronaldo and Messi( Not enough defense to push out Fabs and would not be as creative from MF as Ronaldinho since they are wide players and dont play central positions for their teams. Not that thats a bad thing when your behind a two times player of the year. However if your into a transition game, put these 2 animals in your starting 5 and watch the one-two fats breaks fly.)
FC- Ibrahimovic - This was a very tough decision because since hes so tall(around 6′4) it would probably hinder more then it would Henry whose 4 inches shorter. But since his astronomical technical ability is basically even with henry, he has to win out over my other choice, which was Robinho.
I doubt any team coudl be as balanced as this one while containing as much passing and technical ability, and creativity as it has.
buffon
a nesta
quaresma messi
kaka
buffon
a nesta
quaresma messi
kaka
subs:ricardo gk
maldini
riquelme
deco
Mine would be
Casillas
Puyol,Vidic,
Messi,Kaka
Rooney (hopefully he stays fit tho!)
Casillas
Rio Ferdinand
Gattuso
Anderson
Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldinho
Anish, you’ve named six. Try five!
GK:Reina
def:Risse
mid:Gerrard Fabregas
Stk:Crouch
Gk:Buffon
Def:Cannavaro
Mid:Gerrard Fabregas
Stk:Messi
Beat that side den!!
almunia gallas fabregas,kaka henry
i think
henry
c ronaldo rononaldinho
rio ferdinand
buffon
GK - Iker Casillas = more agile and athletic than Buffon, wont need to deal with corners in 5 aside.
DEF - Cannavaro - best defender alive, period.
MID - Robinho - just watch the guy play.
MID - Zidane (even now)
STR - Pato - the future best striker in the world
gk:buffon
defender:ramus,vidic
md:kaka,messi
fw:drogba
messi is best even you injured because he likes maradona
then he’s best footbalplayer