Big Question: What is the biggest roster surprise?

May 16th, 2006 | by: WC Bob |

The names of all the men who will be representing their respective countries at the World Cup are now known and the rosters are complete. Some teams announced squads that were largely predictable. Other teams included players that seemingly came out of nowhere to make the trip to Germany. Our Big Question for the day is: good or bad, which roster decision surprised you the most.

Perhaps it was England’s addition of Theo Walcott. Maybe you did a double take when you saw Javier Zanetti left off Argentina’s squad. Or maybe there was another roster move that made you do a double take when you saw it.

Let us know what you think is the most surprising selection decision.

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footyor

The big question should be, WHERE ARE THE WORLD CUP BABES???
Juan

Edgar Davids. I thought for sure he was gonna make it.

Also Italy’s inclusion of Inzhagi. He’s a favorite of mine but I never considered him an extremely talented player, but good enough.
QStel

Leaving Klaas-Jan Huntelaar out of the Dutch squad.
http://www.worldcup2006news.net/ Knut Karnapp

I´d say Englands Walcott and Germany´s Odonkor.
Gibb

No Zanetti, Samuel, Demichelis and Agüero in Argentine`s SRoster
http://members.msn.com/adas84 Adaś

I was surprised and very pleased to see Jerzy Dudek left out of Poland’s squad
Azeglio Vicini

Surprised to see Iaquinta and Meterazzi selected by Lippi. Also suprised to see Fiore snubbed…(Luca Toni’s teammate @ Fiorentina who is used to serving up the big man to create chances)
http://portugal.worldcupblog.org Luis Paulo

Walcott. If not even Arsenal believe he is ready to play, why should Eriksson?
DT

How could Iaquinta selected instead of Cassano?

Regarding Walcott, he’s better than Peter “The New Emile Heskey” Crouch anyway. I haven’t seen him playing but I trust Arsene Wenger’s opinion when it comes to youths.
kuko

davids, pires, guily and is seedorf retired from international? because he still a high quality player
dan

The omission of Javier Zanetti from Argentina & Klaas-Jan Huntelaar from Holland. Holland do not have enough out-and-out forwards & Huntelaar has been in terrific form from Ajax?!

Also Pascal Chimbonda’s inclusion in the French squad.
http://www.worldcupzone.blogspot.com Ade Lamidi

The suprise package in the Japan squad is the addition of striker Seiichiro Maki but the guys deserves is chance.

Also Robert Pires not getting a look in the French team.
argiebargie

Javier Zanetti omission frommthe argie squad. The decision has nothing to do with his current form as he has been playing with great form together with his immense consistency.

It is pure politics. Its the Veron saga all over again and this time its cost Zanetti his place in the squad and his replacement?Lionel Scaloni who has been a joke all season but has one ok game in the F.A. Cup final.

I dont know how you sleep at night Pekerman.
Antonio

Spain going only with three forwards and leaving out Morientes who usually steps up and scores more for the national team than in club level.
Messay

It has to be 1 The Dutch leaving out seador, davids and now the guy that scored 34 goals for Ajax, Van basten better know what he is doing.

2) Argentina, no zanneti, no samuel, no Aguero???

3) england taking only 4 forwards. look at their forwards
- Own (he has been injured all season)
- Crouch (is there a worst striker than him????/
- Rooney (the guy has two broken bones on his foot, he wont play at all (why take him??????)
- 17 year old kid??????
why not bent, why not defoe, why not robbie?????
Jonathan

Zanetti.

There’s no excuse for not taking this leader.

Even if he doesn’t play a match, his leadership alone deserves a spot.
Martin

The biggest surprises for me have already been noted here by others but they are:
1. Zanetti’s exclusion from Argentina;
2. Walcott’s addition to England;
3. Odonkor named to Germany’s team; and
4. Morientes not being selected by Spain.
Abdul

No questions asked, it’s got to be ZANETTI. It is the biggest loss for fot his years world cup. It is interesting to see how Pekerman will fill the gap left by this Zanetti. Clarence Seedorf is another great player that was left out. Morientes a proven gola scorer at the international level. When will some coaches learn that some players no matter good they are, still are local players meaning good only at club level. And there are the international players who no matter what their form is at club, but will step up and shine on the international stages. Those players are there for all to see. But, the jarheads that lead countries like Argentina and England, Holland will never understand. Theo Walcott, is not a disapointment, I am glad that he was picked and he will prove doubters wrong I am sure.
jimmy

Seedorf is a great player, in milan that is. in the dutch team he is always slow, arrogant and performing below par. Van basten was right to omit him. Davids is one of my all time favorite players, so I miss him attacking and tackling in midfield. Van der vaart was better off left at home, my god what a horrible WC did he play.

Zanetti was not selected for the WC?? Why? He’s great!

I also would have liked to see Eto’o, but he failed to qualify with his country.