Today marks one month before all the 23 man world cup squads will be fully submitted. a few managers could as easily name their squads today - but for most, it's going to be a very fast 30 days before they put surnames to paper. and for some players, their time is fast running out.
Take Italy's opportunistic striker Pippo Inzaghi, for instance. his resurgent form for AC Milan could not have come at a better time. Scoring not only regularly, but very important goals in Europe must surely boost his cv ahead of world cup selection. still, an inzaghi selection remains unlikely, with marcelo lippi preferring gilardino, toni, totti, del piero, and even iaquinta and lucarelli ahead of the veteran number 9.
Superpippo super too late?
If anything, Superpippo can take comfort from an English striker rowing the same boat: Robbie Fowler (see story below). Both have heaps of experience, can score goals late in the game, were once superstar finishers, and are both running out of time to impress their managers.
Another Italian who is likely to be flying on his own credit card - in fact more likely - is the petulant Antonio Cassano. For the largest part of the season, the former Roma forward was out of action in the capital not because of injury but over a wage row. Having swapped capitals for Madrid, he is still underutilised while he battles to regain fitness and shed some weight. But more than just being a battle for fitness and sharpness, Cassano is a much disliked character in Italy - not just by the fans but also by members of the azzuri first XI. will lippi gamble with this precocious talent, and risk fracturing italy's fragile tournament psyche?
Another Italian who is likely to be flying on his own credit card - in fact more likely - is the petulant Antonio Cassano. For the largest part of the season, the former Roma forward was out of action in the capital not because of injury but over a wage row. Having swapped capitals for Madrid, he is still underutilised while he battles to regain fitness and shed some weight. But more than just being a battle for fitness and sharpness, Cassano is a much disliked character in Italy - not just by the fans but also by members of the azzuri first XI. will lippi gamble with this precocious talent, and risk fracturing italy's fragile tournament psyche?
Living legend battles fitness
Over in Brazil, a legitimate legend is fighting a legitimate battle for a place in the team. World Cup winning (and lifting) captain Cafu has been sidelined since February after a keyhole surgery on his left knee. Milan insiders claim that he is soon to return, but will he make it in time to warrant a place with the world champions? most managers, with the buffer of a fit and young cicinho, might gamble on bringing a less fit, a lot less young cafu as right back cover, especially as his leadership and experience might prove vital: he, along with a then-teenager Ronaldo, is the sole surviving member of the world cup winning squad from 1994.
A pitbull among many running dogs
Another team with possible big names missing is Holland. Ever since Marco van Basten's reign began, the Dutch side has become populated not with the stars of europe's best teams but with a sizeable contingent from the Erividesie itself. to most of us, names like Boulahrouz, Landzaat and Huntelaar don't yet roll of the tongue, but it is this lot of underexposed players who have been churning out result after result for van Basten.
His notable snubbing of Barcelona's van Bommel in his early reign has since provided some hope to the others, as the midfielder increasingly finds himself a likely soldier in the orange army this june. but van Bommel's gain might just be edgar davids' loss. the bespectacled one has found himself shrugged off van Basten's plans in spite of Tottenham's great run in the Premiership. Roy Makaay, the Bayern striker, too has found himself out of contention. With Holland boasting forward men like van Nistelrooy, Dirk Kuijt, Robben and van der Vaart, Makaay is perhaps the most obvious peel off van Basten's orange.
For every manager who's made his mind up, there's are players already nursing hearbreak. But for the next month, many an undecided boss will cast an ever eager eye on the many leagues, studying their shortlisted players, who will no doubt be wanting to peak now. for these players, there is still hope, where hope is as simple as 30 sleepless nights.
His notable snubbing of Barcelona's van Bommel in his early reign has since provided some hope to the others, as the midfielder increasingly finds himself a likely soldier in the orange army this june. but van Bommel's gain might just be edgar davids' loss. the bespectacled one has found himself shrugged off van Basten's plans in spite of Tottenham's great run in the Premiership. Roy Makaay, the Bayern striker, too has found himself out of contention. With Holland boasting forward men like van Nistelrooy, Dirk Kuijt, Robben and van der Vaart, Makaay is perhaps the most obvious peel off van Basten's orange.
For every manager who's made his mind up, there's are players already nursing hearbreak. But for the next month, many an undecided boss will cast an ever eager eye on the many leagues, studying their shortlisted players, who will no doubt be wanting to peak now. for these players, there is still hope, where hope is as simple as 30 sleepless nights.
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