Who Would Be Your First Pick?
Since I was kid, I have always enjoyed playing the game of choosing who you would pick as the first player in your team. Not for the kick about game but when picking a team of the best players in the world…or for the England team.
So let me get right to it. The first player I would pick for my team would be Wayne Rooney. He’s got great ability, is as strong as an ox, has a great work ethic, can score goals and can make other players around him better. All this adds up to a great player and great teammate.
Up until his sub par season this year, Gerrard was always in the same conversation as Rooney. Sometimes I couldn’t choose between the two.
Does this mean I think Rooney is best player in the world if he is my number one choice? Not necessarily, but I do think he could be the best player in the world, it depends on what attributes you value in a player. He should definitely be in the discussion.
Of course, good arguments could be made for players like Ronaldo, Messi and others, and maybe I just value certain attributes over others, but I would rather coach a player like Rooney and have him as a teammate than Ronaldo or Messi.
So who would be your first pick? Does it matter what position they play? What attributes are important to you?
This is a tough one. My first pick would be a player that makes things happen. He doesn’t have to score the most goals or even be a regular goal scorer, but he is the consummate play maker, the one who controls the game, controls the tempo, controls play…yet not just controls, but creates. I also want him to be a great team mate, a loyal team players, not a mercenary.
Given these considerations, I would chose Xavi Hernandez.
I would personally choose a leader rather than a flair player. You have to have some one to depend on and hold the team together.
And I echo the commment about not using this strategy for a pick up game or practice because it discourages the last to be picked – they feel devalued.
I beleive it depends on what position you are looking at. Like I would pick Ronaldo “the phenomenon” as for my striker for all his qualities. speed, vision, dribble etc. of course im speaking back when he was younger and healthy. But I guess I would also pick someone like Sergio Ramos. With him in the back, I would feel more at ease and set up more of an attacking formation.
As far as the picking strategy, I agree with Hugh Clements-Jewery, and as a coach, I’d suggest to find other methods for picking teams during practice. You dont want to discourage anyone.