Here's a look at Ben Lyttleton's complete roster and the writer's analysis of his team, including his preferred starting lineup and his assessment of how these players would come together on the field.
| MY PICK | OVERALL | PLAYER | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | M/F |  | Diego Maradonastarter1986 World Cup winner; 91 caps and 34 goals for Argentina |
| 2 | 19 | F |  | RonaldostarterMost goals scored in World Cup history; 62 goals for Brazil in 98 games |
| 3 | 22 | D |  | Roberto Carlosstarter584 games for Real Madrid; 4 league titles; 3 Champions League titles |
| 4 | 39 | M |  | Didier DeschampsstarterYoungest captain to lift Champions League trophy; 103 caps for France |
| 5 | 42 | D |  | Matthias SammerstarterEuropean Footballer of the Year 1996; Euro 1996 winner; 51 caps for Germany |
| 6 | 59 | M |  | Bobby CharltonstarterEuropean Footballer of the Year 1966, 49 goals in 106 games for England |
| 7 | 62 | M/D |  | Javier ZanettistarterMost capped player in Argentina history with 145, 5 Serie A titles |
| 8 | 79 | F |  | Dennis Bergkamp256 goals in 698 appearances; 79 caps and 37 goals for Netherlands |
| 9 | 82 | M/F |  | Kenny Dalglishstarter102 caps, 30 goals for Scotland; 10 league titles; 3 European Cup titles |
| 10 | 99 | D |  | Gheorge Popescu6-time Romanian Footballer of the Year; 115 caps and 16 goals for Romania |
| 11 | 102 | D |  | Ronald Koemanstarter2 European Cup titles; 78 caps, 14 goals with Netherlands; 8 league titles |
| 12 | 119 | F |  | Oliver Kahnstarter8 Bundesliga titles; 83 caps for Germany; 1 Champions League title |
| 13 | 122 | M |  | Clarence Seedorfstarter87 caps with Netherlands; 3 Champions League titles; 5 league titles |
| 14 | 139 | M/F |  | Eric Cantona4 English league titles; 131 league goals in 369 appearances; 45 caps for France |
| 15 | 142 | F |  | Samuel Etoo4-time African Player of the Year; 4 league titles; 3 Champions League titles |
| 16 | 159 | GK |  | Jean Marie Pfaff3 Bundesliga titles; 64 caps for Belgium; Belgium Golden Shoe 1978 |
TEAM DESCRIPTION: I was not wedded to any formation when the draft began, and I still believe my squad gives me more tactical flexibility than any other. My nominal starting formation is a 4-3-2-1 Christmas tree, which encourages my fullbacks, Roberto Carlos and Javier Zanetti, to push up, as long as Didier Deschamps stay back to protect the defense.
My biggest selection dilemma, once my squad was picked, was who to choose between Kenny Dalglish and Dennis Bergkamp, and I have plumped for the Liverpool legend to start behind the eye-watering Maradona-Ronaldo duo.
As the draft went on, I found myself picking up versatile players who could plug gaps rather than specialists. The player I'm most pleased to have is Bobby Charlton, one of the world's outstanding midfielders who was ignored for over five rounds. I wish I had drafted Ruud Gullit to boost my midfield, which is a little short of cover.
The pressure of the draft order also played tricks on me: I found myself scouting German players when I was up before Honigstein (hence Oliver Kahn) and Romanians before Wilson (hello, Gheorghe Popescu). Still, I am happy with my team, and I am confident this lot can give the others one heck of a beating.
TEAM FORMATION: 4-3-2-1
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