Best Eleven on the Under20 World Cup in Egypt

Before the Great final between Brazil and Ghana (next Friday) I pick my favorite eleven from the Under20 World Cup in Egypt. Like always there are also some great youngsters that I leave out, but like a manager we need to make tough choices.

GK – Esteban Alvarado (Costa Rica, 20 years, club: Saprissa)
With 193cm tall and an awesome presence on the line, Alvarado is also a powerful goalkeeper when it comes to save crosses and dominate the air and is quick on commanding is defense line. When desperation comes he can also go to the opponent’s side and try to score a header.

RB – Cesar Azpilicueta (Spain, 20 years, club: Osasuna)
Already a regular in the ‘la liga’ club, Cesar is a commanding force thru the right. Great stamina what allows him to be also a good support on the offense. But, without a doubt, is the ability to close all doors on the right that makes him a great right-back.

CB – Matteo Gentili (Italy, 20 years, club: Varese)
Typical Italian defender, good pressing capability, tactically perfect, always on the right spot. His major down is the many cards he tend to see. Besides that this Varese on-loan player should soon enough be recalled to Atlanta.

CB – Andras Debreceni (Hungary, 20 years, club: Honved Budapest)
Maybe the player that impressed me the most thru the tournament – I didn’t know him before. It’s mandatory that a top European club gives this man a chance in the next market season. A commanding voice to his teammates, as an awesome ability to mark one-on-one.

LB – Diogo (Brazil, 19 years, club: São Paulo)
Already pointed as a regular on the brazilian giant São Paulo, Diogo is that kind of south American left-back that loves to push the team forward, to that he adds a good defensive ability that makes him show great maturity.

DM – Souza (Brazil, 20 years, club: Vasco da Gama)
He already plays like a European defensive midfielder, highly effective, is always on the ball trajectory. Besides that he adds that typical box-to-box talent of Brazilian players. On the attacking end he’s also a good - in force – free-kick taker.

M – David Guzman (Costa Rica, 19 years, club: Saprissa)
This is the prototype of a great midfielder, ready to defend and to start charging on the same moment. Always on the right spot, Guzman covers a lot of miles per game and adds a good passing capability and an outstanding shoot ability.

OM – Andre Ayew (Ghana, 19 years, club: O.Marseille)
Well, his got the perfect DNA to became a major star. Son of African legend Abedi Pele, this France born talent adds a lot of quality to any midfield. An old-school offensive midfielder, can pushes the right chords to make his team achieve the opponents net.

RW – Abeiku Quansah (Ghana, 18 years, club: Nice)
He’s a modern Speedy Gonzalez; such a frantic pace is always going to damage the opponent’s defense. Adds to that a superb technique and a good scoring capability, like lot a couple of his teammates is probably on his way to play for Ghana in the big boys World Cup.

LW – Giuliano (Brazil, 19 years, club: Internacional)
Hard pick for left winger. The Brazilian captain his more of an offensive midfielder but it would be to unfair to leave him out. The real soul of the South America team can play on any midfield position and as already a couple of clubs from Europe after him.

ST – Dominic Adiyiah (Ghana, 19 years, club: Fredrikstad)
He and Brazil’s Alan Kardec are ex aequo on top striker, with the number of scored goals breaking the tie – 8 vs 4. A great finishing ability, although being a short player – only 170cm – Adiyiah seems to have a great future ahead.