The world cup 2022 kicks off with the opening match between the host, Qatar, and Ecuador on the 20th of November at the Al Bayt Stadium.
This past week, with the deadline been Monday, the 32 teams in the world cup have released lists of their 22-man squad to represent them at the most prestigious tournament in the world of football.
As has always been the case over the years, during a world cup season, eyebrows have been raised over some of the biggest overlooked players of the 2022 world cup.
SERGIO RAMOS
The 36 year old defender is a big omission for Luis Enrique’s Spain. Ramos suffered a whole lot of persistent injuries during last season which saw him overlooked for Euro 2020. However, Ramos has been playing regularly and at the top level again for the French club, Paris Saint Germain.
It might be a big disappointment for Ramos for this omission, but he will be consoled with his victory at the same football stage in 2010 when Spain lifted the trophy.
FIKAYO TOMORI
The common question that took over the football world after Southgate released England’s 22-man squad was: “Maguire over Tomori?”
Tomori has been sensational for AC Milan for their Scudetto win last season and their current season, while Maguire has been retired to the bench by United’s boss, Erik ten Hag since the signing of Lisandro Martinez.
Many would try to make sense of Southgate’s omission of Tomori by assuming that Southgate has based his assessment of the 24 year on the Champions’ League game against Chelsea where he picked up a controversial red card.
DAVID DE GEA
Do we think De Gea will be La Roja’s starting goalkeeper? Of course not. The reason for this is not farfetched: Enrique wants a sweeper-keeper which De Gea is not. David De Gea, apart from being one of the best in the world in-between the sticks, he is also one of the most in-form goalkeepers in the English Premier League.
Unai Simon has always been the undisputed starter since Enrique took over the reins of the Spanish national team due to his ability to play out from the back.
But it is an exaggerated reason for De Gea to be dropped altogether just because he is not good with the ball at his feet.
THIAGO ALCANTARA
Can the teenage duo of Pedri and Gavi do the job for Spain? It remains to be seen. For a Liverpool side that has been underperforming this season, we can say Thiago’s omission from the Spanish squad is justified, but to know that Thiago has been pivotal to the little that Liverpool have managed to salvage this season is enough for him to be included in this list.
Well, for the time that Thiago has been in the team, especially during Euro 2020, he barely played.
Spain’s problem has not been domination (which they are known for), their weakness has always been conversion of chances into goals. So, Enrique might have a case if he says Thiago in the team is an unnecessary surplus to an already stacked midfield.
ROBERTO FIRMINO
Yes, Brazil is stacked upfront; but the fact that they barely have any topnotch striker upfront, this decision from the Seleccao boss, Tite, might not sit well with many. Brazil have players, which for clarity could be called ‘pseudo-striker’.
This is because, players like Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison, Rodrygo Goês, are not out-and-out centre forwards. This is also the case for Roberto Firmino. But for a player who is not a static centre forward, Bobby’s numbers this season have been fantastic.
By Maestro
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