Agreed, Cannavaro has had a phenomenal World Cup last year, but has done little right since. What would you look at to asses the qualities of a player? Seven spectacular matches or a below-par season?

There is no doubt that he is good, but he needs to straighten up and concentrate, otherwise he will waste tons of talent.

My Team

Casillas
Ramos Cannavaro Pepe Heinze
Robinho Diarra Snejider Robben
Raul v.Nistelrooy

Reason(s):
Cannavaro is a given in the centre back position. Pepe over Metzelder as Pepe has more pace and power although he is no way worth the money paid for him.

Tempting to play a 4-3-3 but I suppose playing Guti seems to be a real luxury. This formation is not suggested though against Barcelona.

Against Barcelona, Raul or Robinho or Robben to be dropped for another midfielder prob. Gago to provide more steel. I will drop Cannavaro too. Henry loves playing against Cannavaro. (Check match record: Cannavaro vs Henry : Juventus vs Arsenal)

Anyway,sergio ramos should play right back.In fact, this is his best position.Maybe you losing chivu is was like losing two players (ramos+chivu)

You need a Center Back.Something like Udinese’s Cesare Natali.I mean REAL NEEDS a BIG MAN in the backs

regarding Cannavaro – his decision making is what took Italy to the 2006 world cup final, I wouldn’t knock it so lightly.

GK: Casillas

You said it: “Obvious choice.” In my opinion he peeps both Cech and Buffon for best goalkepper award.

DR: Ramos

Ramos is the almost perfect DR. He might not be very consistet with his crosses, but otherwise he is fantastic on that wing with his pace. He is also phenomenal in the air. And again, as they do not have a natural right winger, they do need the injection of pace on that side which Salgado struggles to provide because of his age. He should be rotated between DR and DC to train him for his later years when Real could have a class central defender, but for now he would be best put to use on the wing.

DC1: Cannavaro

The Italian has been a catastrophe for Rea last season, but is better these days. His problem is not that he is not talented but that he is a bit stupid: he does not think and therefore makes mistakes. He is also prone to blunders and has trouble adjusting to the pace of La Liga after more than one year with the team. Any good news? Well despite all this he is a class defender and he makes some crucial interventions, but if I were Schuster I would show him that he is not an automatic selection which might make him be more conscious of his game.

DC2: Metzelder

When the two played against Villareal for the first time together they blended well; Metzelder seems to cover well for Cannavaro and overall they showed that they can make a pairing together. Pepe is just not good enough from what I have seen in pre season and if Schuster decides that Ramos will not play on the wing than this spot will be reserved for him.

DL: Heinze

Drenthe and Robben can provide the pace there. He is not needed in attack and is very solid in defence.

DMC: Diarra

Agreed. He is the best tough-tackiling defender in the world. I actually think that he is much more efficient than Makelele since he can also play some balls (Make is technique illiterate, if such a term exists). He is also tireless and always comes in first in 50/50 situations.

MR: Robinho

He would not actually be used in a wing position, but rather what he played for Brazil in the Copa America. He should move infield with the ball becoming an excentric attacking midfielder as Ramos coul well cover the wing. He is perfect for this position since his technique is fantastic (much more efficient than either C Ronaldo’s or Ronaldinho’s in my opinion) and he has speed to burn. His passing is also very intelligent.

MC: Sneijder

Many would argue that Guti has done enough over the years to make this position his, but if you think that than you cannot appreciate how good Sneijder is in that position. He does do a fiar bit of running and his passing is superb, he is not big on technique but has good shooting skills and from what I have seen of him this season I would not rule out him giving a helping hand in defence too.

ML: Robben

No argument

FC: Raul, van Nisterlooy

The two blend in with each other fantasticaly. With help from Robinho and Robben and with the hand-picked passes of Sneijder they will become a goal-machine.

my team would be (if everyones fit and on current form)

Casillas

Ramos Canna Metzelder Torres/Heinze

Robinho Sneijder Diarra Robben

Raul Ruud

All out attack, i say…

I fully support Guti‘s place in the starting line-up: his contribution in the last Liga-winning campaign with Capello was monumental (especially assist-wise).