UEFA Best 11

Since we’re in ’sleep’ mode for most national teams for a couple more weeks, and the upcoming Champions League revivial is next week, I was reminded that UEFA have announced the ‘team of the year’ for 2006 based on online voting by you, the fans.

While four of the starting eleven play in Serie A, the only native Italian to make the squad was Paolo Maldini, which is probably both a.) a nod to one of the greatest players of all-time for a career well spent and b.) proof that there is a shortage of great left backs in Europe. You’ve got Ashely Cole, William Gallas if he’s pressed into it, and a handful of others. As for the other spots on the back line, its hard to argue against Puyol or Terry in any category, but even at age 32 I’d put Fabio Cannavaro up against any of these guys if we’re just talking about ‘man marking’.