Portugal’s World Cup squad: who will make the plane to South Africa?
In-depth analysis of who will be the 23 chosen ones
 Footballers worldwide often say the greatest honour that can befall them is to represent their country in the World Cup. Who will be Portugal’s chosen ones boarding that plane bound for South Africa?
Tom Kundert takes an in-depth look at the decisions Carlos Queiroz will be mulling over as he prepares to select the 23-man squad to represent Portugal at the 2010 World Cup.
Given that the squad comprises 23 players, three of whom will be goalkeepers, that notionally leaves two players for each outfield position. This analysis breaks down the squad into three segments: Goalkeeper & Defenders / Midfielders / Wingers & Strikers.
Goalkeeper and defence
Goalkeeper:
One of Queiroz’s least troublesome positions. Ever since Eduardo was installed as first-choice keeper he has made the position his own. Just two goals conceded in Portugal’s last 10 competitive games, including an ongoing run of five clean sheets, and an outstanding season for Braga makes Eduardo’s position as Portugal no. 1 incontestable.
Quim, after acting as back-up to first Vitor Baia then Ricardo, will naturally continue his perennial role as the national goalkeeping understudy, while the third choice seems a toss-up between Rui Patricio and Daniel Fernandes, although should Chelsea or FC Porto reserve goalkeepers Hilario and Beto get a late run of games they could push their way in.
PortuGOAL prediction: Eduardo, Quim, Rui Patricio
Right-back:
If fitness and form were not issues two obvious choices would fill this role: Chelsea’s Bosingwa and Valencia’s Miguel. The former has been out of action for months with a knee injury, although he is nearing a return, while Miguel has had an up-and-down season with Valencia and is by no means an automatic starter for the Spaniards these days.
However, given the pedigree and big-game experience of both defenders, provided fitness is not an issue they will both make the squad. If poor health rules one out, many feel Sporting’s Joao Pereira deserves to get the nod, although his fiery temperament counts against him, and Paulo Ferreira is more likely to be drafted in as second-choice right-back.
PortuGOAL prediction: Jose Bosingwa, Miguel
Left-back:
For all his shortcomings as a defender, Duda has made the left-back position his own, and as mentioned above Portugal’s tremendous defensive record over the past year suggests the constant criticism directed at the Malaga winger is somewhat unfair.
Utility defender Paulo Ferreira, another favoured target of critics and fans alike, looks odds on to be the back-up, especially as he can cover on the other flank for the injury-prone Bosingwa and hot-and-cold Miguel. Queiroz has admitted Benfica winger Fabio Coentrao is in the running for a place on the plane. Although he has performed admirably when need be for his club side at left-back, it would appear a tremendous risk to thrown on the youngster in this position against world-class opposition.
PortuGOAL prediction: Duda, Paulo Ferreira
Centre-backs:
Portugal is well served in this position, with Ricardo Carvalho and Bruno Alves forming one of the strongest central defensive partnerships in world football. The stylish Carvalho complements the more aggressive Alves perfectly, and Portugal’s hopes of making a splash in South Africa will be significantly boosted should this pair continue their form of the latter stages of the qualifying campaign.
Rolando and Pepe are the obvious back-ups. If Real Madrid powerhouse Pepe fails to recover from injury in time for the tournament, Fernando Meira, a hero of the 2006 World Cup, may get his chance at another tournament.
PortuGOAL prediction: Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Rolando, Pepe (Meira if Pepe is unfit)
Midfield
Before dwelling on the individuals we have to discuss what formation Portugal are likely to adopt at the World Cup. Queiroz has so far favoured a 4-1-4-1, which broken down further can be described as a 4-1-2-2-1, with Pepe playing the holding role in an inverted triangle, Meireles and Deco slightly further up the field, feeding Portugal’s potent wingers.
Another alternative Queiroz has implemented, such as in the away fixture in Denmark or the final group match against Malta, is to go 4-3-3, using Simao in a more central role alongside Liedson, with Ronaldo or Nani given free licence to switch wings to provide the ammunition. Even in a conventional 4-4-2, given Portugal’s wealth of world-class wingers, at least one of the “midfielders” will spend the majority of the time in the attacking third of the pitch.
This all means the Portugal team in South Africa will require a three-man engine room, charged with blunting the opposition and providing a steady supply line to two wide men as well as a direct route to what is almost certain to be a lone striker. This threesome can be split into a more defensive player (Holding), the Creative source (Playmaker) and the man who has to do a bit of both (Utility).
Holding midfielder:
Provided he is fit there is no doubt about who will fill this role – Pepe. The Real Madrid centre-back was magnificent as an adapted holding midfielder in Portugal’s successful second half of their qualifying campaign. But the former FC Porto player is battling to overcome a cruciate knee ligament injury and his fitness for South Africa is still a question of conjecture.
If he doesn’t make it, Pedro Mendes is the ready-made replacement to fill his boots. The Sporting midfielder does not possess Pepe’s speed or aerial strength, but to counter these shortfalls he has a greater range of passing and can offer more going forward.
Despite his club side’s disastrous season, Sporting’s Miguel Veloso has earned widespread plaudits for his personal displays, suggesting he can fulfil the potential that made him one of Portugal’s hottest properties when he burst onto the scene three years ago. Manuel Fernandes is another player of whom great things were expected, but his career appears to have stalled at Valencia and it would be a big surprise if Queiroz included him in the squad:
PortuGOAL prediction: Pepe (Veloso if Pepe is unfit), Pedro Mendes
Utility midfielder:
Raul Meireles has his critics, and he has not enjoyed the best of seasons, but the fact he was the only ever-present in Portugal’s qualifying campaign tells us just how much Carlos Queiroz trusts the unfussy Porto midfielder. A certainty for the squad and a near certainty for the team.
Joao Moutinho has suffered immensely from the aforementioned woeful Sporting season. Whether he is one of the causes or a victim of the Lisbon side’s poor performances is open to debate, but there is no doubt the diminutive midfielder’s star has fallen over the last twelve months.
Tiago was described by both Jose Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari as a model of consistency. He will never tear apart the opposition but equally will never allow himself to be outplayed. A wealth of big-match experience at both club and international level also counts in his favour.
PortuGOAL prediction: Raul Meireles, Tiago
Playmaker:
Ever since the retirement of Rui Costa Portugal has been reliant on Deco for creativity in midfield, and the Brazilian-born maestro has been superb for the Seleccao, shining brightly at Euro 2004, World Cup 2006 and Euro 2008. The 32-year-old has announced he will retire from international football after the tournament, and Portugal fans will be hoping for a memorable one last hoorah from the silky skilled playmaker.
In the nick of time for Portugal, a player has emerged who looks the perfect successor to Deco – Ruben Micael. The recent FC Porto recruit has been outstanding since signing from Nacional in the January transfer window. The clamour for his inclusion is so loud that the issue appears not to be whether he should make the squad, but whether or not he should be in the starting XI.
If either Deco or Micael are ruled out by injury, Carlos Martins could well get a call-up. The Benfica midfielder has been in excellent form this season, seamlessly stepping in for the brilliant but injury-prone Pablo Aimar for his club. The only worry concerning Martins would be his fiery temperament, with a playing history littered with red cards.
PortuGOAL prediction: Deco, Ruben Micael
Wingers and strikers
In line with PortuGOAL’s squad selections for the defence and midfield (excluding wingers), seven places will be up for grabs to fill the Seleccao’s attacking needs. Portugal has played with one striker up front for nigh on a decade now, achieving conspicuous success in doing so. Allied to the plethora of world-class flankers the country continues to produce, there is little doubt this will continue to be the case for most games in South Africa.
Should an urgent need arise for more firepower in the centre of attack, Queiroz, depending on who’s on the pitch and who’s on the bench, will have the option of pairing two genuine strikers up front or moving Ronaldo or Simao into a more central striking role, both of whom have already performed that role for Queiroz.
Therefore, although Portugal’s perennial lack of a top-drawer out-and-out striker remains a problem, Queiroz does have a rich pool of talent from which a whole host of attacking permutations can be drawn.
Wingers:
Cristiano Ronaldo. The first name to be pencilled in and the man the whole of Portugal is hoping will produce a performance in South Africa to definitively end arguments that the Madeiran is one of the greatest players ever to grace the game.
Two other wing wizards who Queiroz has shown every confidence in and are sure to make the plane are Nani and Simao. The former has shown moments of brilliance for Manchester United this season, albeit still striving to attain consistency, while Simao has enjoyed another excellent year for Atletico Madrid. The choice of which of the two should accompany Ronaldo on the opposite flank is sure to occupy countless café discussions up and down Portugal over the coming months.
Six months ago nobody would have thought it, but Silvestre Varela’s phenomenal season has probably earned the ‘Drogba of Caparica’ a chance to shine in the World Cup. Full of purposeful and selfless running, the powerful Varela has also found the net on a regular basis throughout 2009/10 and has fulfilled the potential of his early years after several seasons farmed out on loan to Portugal’s less glamorous clubs.
Two other wingers who on form would be knocking on the door are Ricardo Quaresma and Danny. The former, known as the ‘Harry Potter’ of Portuguese football, has done a disappearing act and only a dramatic change of circumstance at Internazionale will bring him back into contention, while Danny has also fallen out of the picture after his bad injury and scarcity of first-team football in recent months. As for Fabio Coentrao, this tournament has probably come round a season to early for the talented Benfica wide man who will certainly have a big future role to play for the national team.
PortuGOAL prediction: Ronaldo, Simao, Nani, Varela
Strikers:
As soon as Brazilian-born Liedson became eligible for selection, Queiroz did not hesitate in throwing the ‘Levezinho’ straight into the side, and the prolific Sporting marksman did not let anyone down, scoring what turned out to be a crucial equalising goal on his debut in Denmark.
Hugo Almeida was the man Queiroz entrusted the lone striker position to before Liedson was available. The big Werder Bremen front man offers something different to the attack – a big physical presence – and could also provide a good foil for Liedson should Portugal opt for a front two.
PAOK forward Edinho forced his way into the Portugal set-up after impressing at AEK Athens. After a brief and unsuccessful spell in the La Liga at Malaga, the pacey striker is back in Greece, playing for PAOK. Queiroz has not hesitated to call up Edinho. Two goals in a national shirt despite limited opportunities combined with the need for more striker cover should see Edinho squeeze into the squad.
Makukula, Nuno Gomes and Orlando Sa will believe they still have a chance of forcing their way into the party, but one feels only injury will allow it to happen. Makukula is enjoying a fantastic season in Turkey, and would appear the obvious replacement should Almeida get hurt, while the age factor will have a big bearing on the chances of the other two, with Queiroz plumping either for experience or youth.
PortuGOAL prediction: Liedson, Almeida, Edinho
Complete PortuGOAL squad:
Goalkeepers: Eduardo, Quim, Rui Patricio
Defenders: Bosingwa, Miguel, Duda, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Rolando
Midfielders: Pedro Mendes, Raul Meireles, Tiago, Deco, Ruben Micael
Wingers & strikers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Simao, Varela, Liedson, Almeida, Edinho
Do you agree? PortuGOAL is always delighted to hear from its knowledgeable and passionate readership. Please leave your options using the form below.
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.....EDUARDO.....
MIGUEL(since jose bosingwa isnt fit).. RICARDO.. ALVES.. COENTRO/ROLANDO
................PEPE.............
........MEIRELES ...DECO......
C RONALDO..... ...SIMAO......
......LEIDSON......
my 1st eleven:
-----------------eduardo---------------
bosingwa----carvalho----alves------duda
-------------------pepe----------------
---------meireles---------deco---------
nani----------------------------ronaldo
---------------liedson-----------------
Miguel Ricardo Pepe Fabio
Carvalho Coentrao
Tiago Pedro Mendes
Nani Danny Simao
Cristiano Ronaldo
(Paulo Fereira if Bosingwa is injured)---R.Carvalho B.Alves---Duda
------------------------(Pedro Mendes if Pepe injured)------------------
--------------------- Raul Meireles-------------Deco-------------------
Cristiano Ronaldo------------------------------------------------Simao
------------------------------Liedson--------------------------------
4-1-2-2 1 formation
---------Eduardo-----
Miguel--Pepe--Alves--Ferreria
Micael--Deco--Veloso
Ronaldo--Liedson--Nani
G-Eduardo,Quim,Fernandes
D-Alves,Carvalho,Rolando,Carrico
Miguel,Ferreira,Duda,Veloso
M-Mendes,Meireles,Moutinho,Ruben,Deco
F-Liedson,Almeida,Gomes
Ronaldo,Simao,Nani,Danny
------------------------Eduardo------------------
--Miguel------Alves----Carvalho----Duda
--------------Mendes-----Meireles------------
-------------------------Deco----------------------
-------Ronaldo-----Liedson-------Simao---
Subs-Quim,Rolando,Ferreira,Veloso,Ruben,Nani,Almeida
Eduardo
J. Pereira R.Carvalho B.Alves M.Veloso
Pepe
Nani Pedro Mendes J.Moutinho
Liedson C.Ronaldo
Substitutes Would be:
Hugo Almeida
Simao Sabrosa
Quaresma
Tiago
Duda
Rui Patricio
Paulo Ferreira
Defenders: Bosingwa, Miguel, Joao Pereira, R.Carvalho, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Rolando
Midfielders: C.Ronaldo, Simao, Nani, Varela, R.Micael, Deco, J.Moutinho, Hugo Viana, M.Veloso
Forwards: Nuno Gomes, Liedson, H.Almeida, Makukula
-----------------------------Eduardo---------------------------
Bosingwa------R.Carvalho-----B.Alves---------Miguel------------
--------------------------------Pepe---------------------------
C.Ronaldo-----------------Deco-----------------------Simao----
-----------------Liedson-----------------H.Almeida------------
My final 23...
Goalkeepers: Eduardo, Quim, R.Patricio
Eduardo's are number one right now and the real question here is who will be our back-ups...I think Quim and Patricio deserve to make the final cut...Yea there not big fans of some, but at least they play week in and week out unlike the other goalkeepers who hardly see a minute for their clubs
Defenders: Bosingwa, Miguel, Joao Pereira, R.Carvalho, Pepe, Bruno Alves, Rolando
We all know Bosingwa, Carvalho, Pepe, and Bruno Alves deserve to be in South Africa...I decided to choose Miguel, Pereira, and Rolando to provide cover...IMO Miguel should be our starting left-back...Everybody that CQ tested to play that position has unimpressed and I think Miguel should get a shot...Pereira and Rolando are there just as back ups...IMO Pereira's call-up is long overdue and while I'm not a big fan of Rolando, his the only good back up center-back we have...It would be good for him to get some experience at a major International competition to prepare himself for Euro 2012 because I'm sure he will be our starting center-back by then
Midfielders: C.Ronaldo, Simao, Nani, Varela, R.Micael, Deco, J.Moutinho, Hugo Viana, M.Veloso
Ronaldo, Simao, Nani, and Deco are going no doubt...They have the experience at being in big competitions and should play a big role in our attacking play...Now for our back-ups Varela, R.Micael, and Hugo Viana should be the so called surprise call-ups, but I know the idiot will only pick one of those three to make the squad which is a shame because they are having fantasic seasons for their clubs...Moutinho and Veloso round out the midfield list...Both players are capable of getting the job done if called upon...Also Veloso is another player who should get a look at, at left-back
Forwards: Nuno Gomes, Liedson, H.Almeida, Makukula
Really wish we had more opitions here, but we all know our forward pool isn't that great...Liedson is clearly our main forward while Almeida can also be put in that category...Now I know Nuno and Makukula are surprising to see on my list, but "Big Mak" is having himself a fine season in Turkey and getting the call up for the world cup would only boost his confidence...Now I know Nuno shouldn't even be here since he hardly plays, but Nuno still adds something that no one else on the squad does, experience...He doesn't have to see a single minute of playing time, but he would be a good player for all the guys in the locker room...His experienced some high and low moments at big competitions and could share his experience with other players, espeacially all the forwards on the team since this will be their first time at the world cup...
Now for anybody wondering why I left out these players: Hilário, Beto, and Daniel Fernandes...Hilario and Beto hardly see minutes and Fernandes isn't good enough to be on the NT...P.Ferreira, Tonel, F.Meira, Duda, Ricardo Costa, Peixoto...Paulo doesn't play at all and always sucked...Duda, Costa, and Peixoto are average players and I like Tonel and Meria, but feel Rolando gets the nod over them since his younger and will play a role for us in the future...Mendes, Tiago, Manuel Fernandes, Maniche, Danny, Quaresma, Coentrao, Meireles...I like all these players except for Merdales...Mendes fails to make my list because I feel we need the younger players to get the experience, but if Pepe fails to recover then Mendes takes his spot for sure...Tiago is good, but feel there are better players ahead of him...Maniche's International career ended a long time ago...Danny, Fernandes, and Quaresma don't get any playing time...Love Coentrao, but his still to young to make the final squad....No doubt he will be in our Euro 2012 campagin and lastly screw Raul Merdales...I see nothing in him and hope he gets injuried because thats the only way CQ won't call him up...And lastly Edinho and Djalo are two good fast players, but both players finishing isn't that great...They might bring speed, but finishing is the key to getting the call up...However both players, as well as many will be in our Euro 2012 plans...
With that said I hope these group of players change our recent play around, but just don't see it happening with CQ at the helm...We have the talent to make it far, but this team lacks the leadership and discipline to band together...Notice how the last player, Figo, brought all that and we played some amazing games against some tough teams...After he left the NT for good our NT hasn't been the same...Lets wait and see what happens this summer...I'm hoping for the best, but preparing for the worst
Also, more than one of you has mentioned we are poor at free kicks. That is laughable. Has anyone seen the Tomahawk lately?!?!?! Arguably we have 3 of the top 10 free kick takers in LaLiga. Ronaldo, simao, duda.
-----------Eduardo-------------
Miguel----Carvalho----Alves----Coentrao/Veloso
-----------------Pepe------------------
--------Micael----Deco-------------
C.Ronaldo----------------Simao
----------------Liedson---------------
It's all about consistancy and experience. Forget about recent form.
Bench: Quim, Paulo Ferreira, Bosingwa, Joao Moutinho, Tiago, Meireles, Quaresma, Nani, Varela, Hugo Almeida, Nuno Gomes
There is your 23-man squad. Every single one of them deserves to be in the squad and Deco/Gomes/Carvalho should be captain not Ronaldo.
bosingwa----carvalho---b.alves-----duda
-------------------------pepe----------------------
-------------------tiago----------------------------
c.ronaldo---------------- deco---------------
----------------------------------------------simao
-------------------almeida------------------------
Thanx for the feedback TOM
some might be say that Portuguese have no chance in 2010 but please my portugol friends never stop the dreaming and praying.
Sorry for my bad English!
One for sure is finishing, and being able to turn time of possession and opportunities in the box into actual goals. Remedy? Ronaldo and Simao, who seemingly score at will for their club teams. We need them to find the net with the National team. During qualification we relied too much on getting goals form the likes of Alves & Meireles.
Another is left back. Yeah we don't have a world class individual here. Personally I don't mind Ferreira as much as the rest of you. What he lacks in talent he makes up in effort, and sometimes effort is a better benefit than talent (this is true across all sports). Despite our wishes to see Veloso here Queiroz will play Duda. What makes anyone think otherwise. So its a mute point.
Finally another big weakness is set pieces. Scolari was terrified of these, and rightfully so. I'm lways very nervous about our aerial defending in the box. If Pepe is not fit, Meira HAS to be called. Though I like Mendes, he just has no size. We have a team stocked with smallish individuals and can't leave Alves/Carvalho alone to defend against a taller opposition (esp. with Ronaldo's lack luster effort on defense). If Pepe is unfit I think Meira has to be on the field to provide that tall physical presence in the box for set kicks and corners.
A pervading idea in relation to the squad in the article is the inclusion of Miguel Veloso. There is no doubt he has been excellent this season. But we have to remember that to include x,y, or z you also have to think who would drop out?
I agree with PSousa that you can also consider Veloso a utility midfielder, although I believe he can do a good job holding, so it would be Pepe, Mendes, Tiago or Meireles to drop out. Pepe (if fit) and Meireles are certs, and I think the experience of Mendes and Tiago just give them the edge over Veloso.
Having him as the back-up left-back would be a bit of a risk, and Queiroz isn't one to take risks. Imagine Duda gets crocked and we're relying on Veloso, who has only played left-back occassionally against some Liga Sagres opponents, to stop the world's best right wingers/attacking midfielders. For all his failings, at least Duda's had a year in the role and is in sync with the rest of the defence.
But it's certainly a tricky connundrum. My colleague Andy Brassell said he thought Queiroz would take Veloso instead of Micael, but I agree with Filipe from Texas. We need Micael's creativity there as stand-in for Deco who's a bit injury prone these days...
----------------------Eduardo------------------------
----------------------(Quim)-------------------------
----------------------(Hilario)----------------------
--Bosingwa-------B. Alves-----R. Carvalho---------------Duda
--(Miguel/P.Ferreira)------(Rolando)-------------(P. Ferreira)
--------------------------Pepe------------------------------
-----------------------(P. Mendes)--------------------------
------------------------(Veloso)----------------------------
----------------R. Miereles------------Tiago----------------
----------------------(Moutinho)----------------------------
----Ronaldo----------------Deco------------------Simao
----(Nani)--------------(R. Micael)------------(Varela)
---------------------------Almeida------------------------
---------------------------(Liedson)----------------------
My prediction is that Germany will beat portugal for the 3rd time straight.
my selection for nt would be:
quim
miguel, pepe, alves, bosigwa
tiago
danny, deco, nani
ronaldo, liedson
reserves:
nuno gomes, ruben, varela, simao, rui, duda, mendez, carvalho, fernandez, coetrano, eduardo, queresma, (1 more mid)
bosingua--------carvalho--------b.alves-------pepe
--------------------p mendes----------------------
r. micael-------------meireles--------deco--------
--------------ronaldo---------liedson-------------
Eduardo
Bosimgwa carvalho alves miguel
Pepe
Moutinho/micael. Veloso/meireles
Ronaldo. Nani
Liedson
If simao plays he will dissappear against better opposition like he always does for the nt and now for atleti
Fair enough Veloso isn't a regular left back but he has a lot more experience there for club and Portugal youth and is more defensively minded.
Bring Veloso as back up for Mendes or Pepe and when Kalou tears Duda apart, Queiroz can put Veloso in there.
I'd also love to see Quaresma there (magic when he's confident and on form, should have started last tournament over Simao) and Yannick Djalo gives you a different kind of striker but you can't bring everybody.
bosingwa--Carvalho--Alves--Pepe
------------Miereles--Tiago-------------
Nani------------Ronaldo---------Simao
-------------------Almeida-----------------
Formation:4-2-3-1
Use pepe as a leftback however if he is not fit use veloso. I would implement miereles and tiago both as utility midfielders. i would allow ronaldo to roam freely as he does in real madrid but would put him as a central attacking midfielder. Both nani and simao would play their respective wings, and hopefully aim crosses for both almeida and ronaldo.
-----------------------Quim--------------------------------------
Bosingwa------R carvalho-------Pepe(alves if not ready)---Peixoto
----------------Pedro Mendes/Raul Mereieles----------------------
Cristiano Ronaldo------------------------------------Simao Sabrosa
-----------------------------Deco-----------------------------------
-------------Nuno Gomes(C)-------------Liedson----------------------
or
-------------------------------Quim----------------------------------------
Bosingwa----------R carvalho----------Pepe(alves if not ready)------Peixoto
-------------------------Pedro Mendes--------------------------------------
------------------Raul Meireiles-----------------Deco---------------------
Cristino Ronaldo----------------------------------------------Simao Sabrosa
-----------------------------Liedson/Nuno Gomes-----------------------------
Bench:Eduardo, Miguel, Veloso,Nuno Gomes,Nani,Tiago,Coentrao
I also think that moving Cristiano upfront takes away a great weapon flying up the side. He takes on defenders and creates free kicks. Man United and even Real, in my opinion, are losing a lot of his effectiveness moving him there for large portions of the game.
My starting squad: 4-1-4-1
----------------------Eduardo-------------------
Boswinga - Carvalho - Alves - Rolando
--------------------Pepe------------------------
-------------Micael - Veloso----------------
Simao -------------------------- Cristiano
------------------Liedson-----------------------
This is obviously based on everyone being healthy.
Full Squad
Goalies: Eduardo, Quim, anyone but Hilario who has looked inept at Chelsea.
Right Back: Boswinga & Miguel
Center Backs: Carvalho, Alves with Rolando and Pepe being the backups, but if the starters go down we are done.
Left Back: I would either move Rolando there or even Veloso with Duda being the backup.
Holding Mid: Pepe and Mendes
Mids Utility& Attacking: Micael & Veloso with Deco, Tiago and Martins as backups
Wingers: Cristiano & Simao with Nani and Varela as backups.
Strikers: Liedson, Almeida & Edinho.
Guys I left out:
Meireles has been awful this season.
Moutinho hasn't shown anything, and has never looked good vs Int'l competition.
Coentrao is not ready.
Guys that shouldn't be considered:
Quaresma hasn't played.
Sa hasn't played.
Makukula is doing it in Turkey. Is that enough?
I would like to see Nuno Gomes get a farewell tour, but Edinho has produced when given a chance. Almeida has also looked good since coming back from injury.
Defenders: Bosingwa, Duda, Paulo Ferreira, Ricardo Carvalho, Bruno Alves, Pepe(Meira if he doesn't make it), Rolando
Midfielders: Pedro Mendes, Raul Meireles, Tiago, Deco, Ruben Micael, M.Veloso, Moutinho
Wingers & strikers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Simao,Liedson, Almeida, Nuno Gomes.
I think it's all very balanced this way.
Defenders:Carvalho(Chelsea), Alves(Porto), Rolando(Porto), Ricardo Costa(Lille)or Pepe (If fit), Bosingwa(Chelsea), Miguel(Valencia), Peixoto(Benfica), Coentrao(Benfica)
Midfielders: Deco(Chelsea), Micael(Porto), Moutinho(Sporting), Mendes(Sporting), Meireles(Porto)
Forwards: Makukula(Kayserispor), Almeida(Bremen), Liedson(Sporting), Ronaldo(Real Madrid), Simao(A.Madrid), Nani(Manchester United), Varela(Porto)
Starting Line Up: 4-4-1-1
Right to Left
Eduardo
Bosingwa,Carvalho,Alves,Peixoto
Ronaldo,Moutinho,Meireles,Simao(C)
Micael
Almeida
Second Line Up: 4-1-3-1-1
Right to Left
Eduardo
Miguel,Carvalho(C),Alves,Peixoto
Mendes
Ronaldo,Meireles,Simao
Micael
Almeida
Forca Portugal
------------Eduardo----------
Bosingwa--Carvalho-Alves--Veloso
----------------Pepe-----------
---------Micael-----Meireles------
Ronaldo---Liedson---Simao
In my opinion this is the best possible team. Duda should be dropped, HE IS OUR WEEKNESS. I am 100% positive that if Portugal plays aginst the best players in the world, Duda will be crucified! Veloso actually plays left back a lot and also is very good at crossing. Even though it is hard to see it Meireles is an important part of the seleccao and I think a partnership with Micael would work because they play together at porto.
----------------------Eduardo-------------------
-Bosingwa---Carvalho---Alves---Duda/Veloso-
------------------Pepe---Meireles---------------
-Ronaldo-----------Deco------------Nani/Simao-
----------------------Liedson--------------------
-In the attacking midfielder's position I'm not sure whether to start Deco or Rúben.
-My next point I strongly believe in is that Ronaldo should play up front (just like Ferguson admitted he did with United)
That being said, Simão will take the left winger's position and Varela will take the right (I struggled to decide between him and Nani but going on recent form Varela is the obvious choice)
4-2-3-1 (Very balanced between defense and attack)
-------------Ronaldo-----------------
Simão-------Deco--------Varela
---------Pepe--------P.Mendes-------
Duda-B.Alves-Carvalho-Bosingwa
------------Eduardo-------------
Bosingwa-Carvalho-B.Alves-Duda
------------Pepe--------------
------Ruben--------Tiago-------
Ronaldo------------------Varela
-----------Makukula------------
Veloso is in great form, and shows a greta deal of versatility to play in numerous positions on field..leaving him of this squad would be a travesty.
the rest of the squad is pretty much bang on, although i wish Coentrao could find a spot, but he'll be important in our chances of qualifying for Euro 2012.