Former England teammates Joe Cole and Peter Crouch faced criticism from fans after revealing their combined Chelsea and Liverpool team.
While on punditry duty for TNT Sports at Anfield, Cole and Crouch were tasked with selecting the ultimate XI from players they had both played with during their careers.
Blues legend Petr Cech was chosen as the goalkeeper over Pepe Reina, but it was the composition of the back four that sparked outrage among fans.
Ashley Cole and John Terry, who had played alongside both Crouch and Cole for England, were included, along with Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan.
However, it was the selection of Carragher and Finnan that drew ire from supporters, as it meant that Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira, and Branislav Ivanovic were all overlooked.
One fan exclaimed, "Carragher and Finnan??? Carvalho should have been chosen over Carragher!"
Another expressed their frustration, stating, "Finnan? Seriously? Paulo Ferreira was clearly the better choice."
One fan didn't hold back, declaring, "Finnan over Ivanovic and Carragher over Carvalho?! What kind of nonsense is this?"
While Carragher and Finnan were instrumental in Liverpool's Champions League triumph in the 2004/05 season, Cech, Carvalho, and Ferreira formed a solid defensive line during Chelsea's Premier League-winning campaign.
In midfield, it came as no surprise that Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard were included, with Claude Makelele occupying the holding position.
Luis Suarez managed to secure a place in the attacking lineup alongside Didier Drogba, playing on the left side, while Arjen Robben was chosen on the right for his ability to cut inside on his left foot.
Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, with whom Cole won two Premier League titles, was selected as the team's manager. Xabi Alonso, despite not making the starting eleven, was chosen as the assistant coach.
With Jurgen Klopp set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Alonso is now considered a frontrunner to succeed him as manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do you think of the Premier League concept called the ‘Big Six?
The Big Six refers specifically to a group of Premier League clubs who have had the most success and influence in recent years. Manchester United is usually included, as are Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur may also be on the list. These teams are known as having a strong fan base with a lot of money, for their high-level performances, and for qualifying frequently for European tournaments like the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, and UEFA Cup.
What is Premier League football?
The Premier League is the top-tier football league in England and one of the most popular and competitive domestic football leagues in the world. It is played by twenty teams and follows a system of promotion/relegation in conjunction with the English Football League. Each team plays 38 home and away matches per season. The season usually runs from August to may. The Premier League is renowned for its international star players and high-quality soccer.
What happens when a Premier League team is relegated to the bottom?
At the end each Premier League, teams who finish in the lowest three positions on the league table, are relegated down to the Championship. The Championship is the second level of English Football. In their place, the top two teams from the Championship, along with the winner of the Championship playoffs, are promoted to the Premier League for the following season.
Is there a financial regulation in place for the Premier League?
The Premier League does have financial regulations known as Financial Fair Play rules (FFP). These are meant to stop clubs from going beyond their means, and promote financial stability. These rules require clubs to limit their losses over a three-year period and to ensure that expenditures do not massively exceed their earnings from football-related activities. The regulations aim to promote responsible spending, and to maintain a competitive balance in the league.
What role does the Video Assistant Referee play in the Premier League?
In the Premier League, the Video Assistant Referee system (VAR), which is used to assist on-field officials in making correct decisions about goals, penalties, red card incidents and cases of misidentification, is employed. The VAR analyzes footage and gives advice to the referee. He can then view the replay on the pitchside monitor prior to making a final decision. The system aims to minimize human errors that could influence the outcome of a match.
Statistics
- Arsenal boasts an unbeaten streak of 49 Premier League matches from May 2003 to October 2004, the longest in the history of the league.
- Chelsea established the Premier League’s greatest goal difference of +71 in the 2009–2010 season, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive strength.
- Alan Shearer is the all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 260 goals across his stellar career.
- Manchester United holds the record for the most Premier League titles, having been crowned champions 20 times.
- Petr Čech set a remarkable defensive record during the 2004-2005 season with 24 clean sheets, the most by a goalkeeper in a single Premier League season.
External Links
forbes.com
youtube.com
premierleague.com
whoscored.com
bbc.com
How To
Fantasy Premier League: How to Play
To play Fantasy Premier League, you must first create an account at the official Fantasy Premier League site. You will be given a budget once you have registered. This allows you to “buy” a team of players that score points according to their on-field performance. Select players based on their form, schedule, and price. Throughout the season, manage your team by transferring players in and out, selecting your captain for bonus points, and using special chips to maximize points during pivotal moments of the Premier League season.
