You might have seen from the blog posts recently I am just a little bit excited by the World Cup 2010. Here is my list of the best players missing the world most watch sports event.
Edin Dzeko – Bosnia
The little known forward before this season is a real miss, with his goals for German side Wolfsberg and his performances have gone a long way of enhancing his name in and around Europe. Bosnia finished fifth in their qualifying group.
Petr Cech – Czech Republic
The head protector wearing Chelsea’s number 1 has had a stop start season, his form has dipped slightly but cannot argue he is up there in the top 3 keepers in the world. Cech’s national side finished 3rd in their group and aren’t the force they once were. Strikers usually grab the headlines in world cups, but this year might just be about keepers….shame Cech didn’t make it.
Luka Modric – Croatia
Spurs creative midfielder was injured for much of the season, is going to be a big miss for this years tournament. Modric out shines most midfielders on the international stage and it is obvious if Spurs didn’t take 4th position in the Premier League he would be off. Tottenham fans you would have panicked if he had gone to the world cup. Watch out for the Man Utd bid looming also 
Igor Akinfeev – Russian
Club captain, the most highly rated keeper around misses the world cup after world cup play off lose. Akinfeev is the keeper that made his international debut at 18 and has been a long term target for Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd.
Michael Ballack – Germany
The German captain misses the world cup after a late challenge from German turned Ghanaian Kevin Prince Boetang at the FA cup final. Ballack has been inspiration with Chelsea when he has started they have won 75%. I think Germany can cover Ballack but might miss the captain more.
Andrei Arshavin – Russia
The Arsenal player has had an average season, although he has scored some goals and been injured he wasn’t always there for the gunners. Arshavin and his Russian team lost in the play offs but it is clear the world cup needed a provider and goal scorer of Arshavin’s talents this year.
Juan Roman Riquelme, Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso – Argentina
I will never criticise Diego Maradona the player but the manager is a completely different story. Riquelme can single handed destroy teams, asked Ledley King how he dragged him around and destroyed England a few years back. Riquelme also kept Argentina in the qualifying group until Diego and Juan feel out. Personally picking Veron (I rate Veron and so do actual football fans) over Riquelme is a stupid decision.
You then have Javier Zanetti, who is old enough to be a lot of football fans dad missing out, his experience and versatility is going to be missed by Argentina, who need that stability in front of that explosive front four. With Messi, Maradona’s son in law Sergio Agüero, Carlos Tevez, Milito and Gonzalo Higuain all up front they need him to organise the midfield.
Then comes the most ridiculous world cup 2010 decision, Esteban Cambiasso being left out. Cambiasso to me is pure class, he has kept Inter in many games and kicked 7 bells out of Messi in the semi final of the champions league. This might just bite Diego on the arse.
Karim Benzema – France
Yeah ok maybe his season at Real Madrid has not worked but this dude is a pure goalscoring machine. France have gone for experience, especially with the likes of Henry, Djibril Cisse and Sidney Govou. For me this was a crazy decision and they need Benzema to play with Anelka up front to ensure they actually qualify from their group.
Francesco Totti – Italy
The Roman Totti has been hero of many a Roma game and has been their main star for years but hasn’t always turned it on for the Azzuari.
Italy can be hit and miss and need the flair and skills of Francesco Totti!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic – Sweden
Maybe not set the world alight at Barcelona, but his definitely one of the most skillful strikers in the world, the Swedish striker was absolutely worshipped by Inter fans while they won back to back titles and what better stage would he have if he was at the world cup finals. Personally you cant beat a bit of skill!
Danny Denhard