Gerrard in a class of his own

• zocoss

  20 Jan 07, 09:34

  
  
  STEVEN GERRARD was the only England star named in the UEFA team of the year.
  
  The Liverpool skipper had an outstanding 2006 after leading the Reds to FA Cup glory, scoring twice in the final.
  
  Despite failing to find his form at the World Cup and playing out of position for club and country, Gerrard got the nod ahead of other England favourites.
  
  Frank Lampard, John Terry and Wayne Rooney all missed out on nominations.
  
  There are no players from Premiership champions Chelsea or Carling Cup winners Manchester United.
  
  But Arsenal duo Cesc Fabregas and Thierry Henry do make the XI.
  
  Fabregas shone as Arsenal reached the Champions League final, while Henry helped France to the World Cup final.
  
  The team is dominated by Champions League winners Barcelona and the World Cup winning Italians.
  
  FIFA World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, and defender Gianluca Zambrotta were picked from the World Champions.
  
  Carles Puyol, Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o and coach Frank Rijkaard represent the Spanish giants Barca.
  
  Team of 2006
  
  Gianluigi Buffon (Italy/Juventus)
  
  Gianluca Zambrotta (Italy/Barcelona)
  Fabio Cannavaro (Italy/Real Madrid)
  Carles Puyol (Spain/Barcelona)
  Philipp Lahm (Germany/Bayern Munich)
  
  Kaka (Brazil/AC Milan)
  Steven Gerrard (England/Liverpool)
  Cesc Fabregas (Spain/Arsenal)
  Ronaldinho (Brazil/Barcelona)
  
  Thierry Henry (France/Arsenal)
  Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon/Barcelona)
  
  Coach: Frank Rijkaard (Barcelona)
  
• anhydrouscoppersulphate

  20 Jan 07, 10:25

  finally a good 11
• used

  20 Jan 07, 11:51

  surprising
  no rooney or terry
• stevenliew

  20 Jan 07, 13:05

  The coach shud not be the barcelona one......
• zocoss

  20 Jan 07, 13:17

  Why not? Frank Rijkaard won the double, Spain league title and Champions League... on top of that, his team played attractive football in 2006... Isn't that good enough?
• used

  20 Jan 07, 13:18

  if not frank then who??
• dragg

  20 Jan 07, 13:21

  Originally posted by used:

  if not frank then who??

  marcello lippi.
  
  
• used

  20 Jan 07, 13:22

  Originally posted by dragg:

  marcello lippi.
  
  

  why?
• omgukilledkenny

  20 Jan 07, 13:35

  how was the UEFA team of the year picked?
  by votes from their fellow footballers or by a panel of judges?
• zocoss

  20 Jan 07, 13:56

  Panel of judges... This is UEFA not players.