Euro 2008 Adolescent Eleven: Cesc vs. Karim
After yesterday’s Elderly Eleven gave the old boys some attention, it’s time to take a look at the young bucks. Here are the youngest players at Euro 2008, by position. This one would be hell for any manager, not only in terms of keeping so much young talent on task, but also in terms of picking a formation. See, if that hypothetical coach were to field a 4-4-2, you’d get one Cesc Fabregas in midfield, who just squeaks in as the fourth-youngest midfielder in the tournament. You might have heard of him. He has a show. But, if one were to be a little more adventurous, and throw out a 4-3-3, the loss of Fabregas would be compensated for by the gain of a French striker whose name you might also have come across in the last year, Karim Benzema. Decisions, decisions. Anyway, aside from that choice (unbelievable playmaking midfielder vs. amazing striker), here are those that made the cut.
Keeper:
Rui Patricio - Portugal (20)
Defenders:
Sebastian Prödl - Austria (20)
Johan Djourou - Switzerland (21)*
Adam Kokoszka - Poland (21)
Ştefan Radu - Romania (21)
Midfielders:
Ivan Rakitić - Croatia (20)*
Michał Pazdan - Poland (20)
Samir Nasri - France (20)*
Cesc Fàbregas - Spain (21)* [if 4-4-2]
Forwards:
Eren Derdiyok - Switzerland (19)
Nikola Kalinić - Croatia (20)
Karim Benzema - France (20)* [if 4-3-3]
The players with asterisks next to their names indicate those listed in the first eleven of their official squads, and so those thought of as most likely to start. The youngest player at Euro 2008 is Swiss striker Eren Derdiyok, who should get his chance to show off for all of the other Derdiyoks at home in the group stage. Poland, Switzerland and Croatia are the only countries to have two youngsters on the list, plus France, if you went with the Benzema package. Myself, I’m a sucker for a good playmaker, and I’d have to stick with the 4-4-2 Cesc option. Plus, if I didn’t, I’d be afraid he’d use his freaky powers on me.
Related Posts
Subscribe
|
Print
|
Share
|
Comments


Nice job of Photoshopping, Ian!
Posted from
United States




So who’d win between this side and the OAP one?
Posted from
United Kingdom




The youngster team has some good attackers … Nasri and Fabregas would be a nice Arsenal preview … but the old boys’ defense is so much better. And the keepers are really no contest. I would go with 2-1 to the oldies.




Nice list
I’d put Gomis (22;FRA) and Gomez (22;GER) in though, maybe as substitute strikers? Those are some really cool youngsters with great potentials to make history.
(I also happen to like the nameplay: GomisGomez, heeehhhh) XD
Posted from
Singapore




Anyone have the power to arrange this?
Posted from
United Kingdom




Should just run a 3-4-3, as no matter what the defense is going to suck.


Comments are closed
Send Your Tips!
Email tips[at]worldcupblog[dot]org
Euro 2008 Club Football News
- Weekend Quiz: More Non-British Club Crests
- USOC Third Round Results: Revenge of the Minnows
- Offside Rewind: You'll Believe You Can Fly
- Daily Dose: July 3rd, 2009
- Corinthians Get Some Good PR, Learn How To Celebrate & Andre Santos Has Snoop Dogg Bling
More Euro 2008 Blogs
Austria World Cup Blog
111 Articles | 117 Comments
Croatia World Cup Blog
179 Articles | 1,755 Comments
Czech Republic World Cup Blog
196 Articles | 319 Comments
France World Cup Blog
759 Articles | 9,061 Comments
Germany World Cup Blog Blog
469 Articles | 2,980 Comments
Greece World Cup Blog
134 Articles | 60 Comments
Italy World Cup Blog
517 Articles | 19,495 Comments
Netherlands World Cup Blog
1,833 Articles | 21,140 Comments
Poland World Cup Blog
312 Articles | 2,957 Comments
Portugal World Cup Blog
432 Articles | 6,574 Comments
Romania World Cup Blog
78 Articles | 281 Comments
Russia World Cup Blog
68 Articles | 118 Comments
Spain World Cup Blog
228 Articles | 1,852 Comments
Sweden World Cup Blog
151 Articles | 318 Comments
Switzerland World Cup Blog
216 Articles | 327 Comments
Turkey World Cup Blog
37 Articles | 289 Comments
UEFA Euro 2008 Championships
546 Articles | 7,250 Comments
Monthly Archives
World 







