 London for the World Cup
IT'S BEEN a great year for London football. Arsenal and Chelsea
have both won trophy doubles, Charlton will be in the Premiership
next season and, despite just missing out on success, the future
looks pretty rosy for the likes of West Ham and Fulham. Even
relegated Crystal Palace and Brentford can at least look forward
to new eras.
But there is one blemish on London's glory glory season. The
capital has no hope of getting its hands on the World Cup next
month as, scandalously, the powers that be have not invited London
to take part in this summer's tournament.
Despite this travesty of football justice, LondonNet has decided
to honour those London players who are due to take part at France
98 but who should really be turning out for London.
We have nominated two sides of London players; one selected
from those who ply their trade for London clubs and another from
players born and bred in the capital.
London Club World Cup XI
Bernard Lama (West Ham, France)
Graham Le Saux (Chelsea, England)
Frank Leboeuf (Chelsea, France)
Martin Keown (Arsenal, England)
Gustavo Poyet (Chelsea, Uruguay)
Marc Overmars (Arsenal and Holland)
Roberto Di Matteo (Chelsea, Italy)
Patrick Vierra (Arsenal, France)
Dan Petrescu (Chelsea, Romania)
Tore Andre Flo (Chelsea and Norway)
Dennis Bergkamp (Arsenal and Holland)
London Born'n'Bred World Cup XI
Neil Sullivan (Wimbledon, Scotland)
Frank Sinclair (Chelsea, Jamaica)
Sol Campbell (Tottenham, England)
Tony Adams (Arsenal, England)
Gareth Southgate (Aston Villa, England)
Paul Merson (Middlesbrough, England)
Paul Ince (Liverpool, England)
David Beckham (Manchester United, England)
Ian Wright (Arsenal, England)
Teddy Sheringham (Manchester United, England)
Les Ferdinand (Tottenham, England)
Both look strong sides, but who would win if they were to
play each other in London's own version of the World Cup final?
That's where CompuScore, the LondonNet football computer, comes
into play. Set up with a welter of stats, formations and inside
intelligence, the computer is in the best position to judge the
likely result of the fantasy fixture.
CompuScore says:
The London Club XI look to have superior class on paper and
so it proves early on as Marc Overmars rips past Gareth Southgate
while the Villa man tucks into a pizza to set up an early headed
goal by Norwegian beanpole Tore Andre Flo.
Born'n'Bred are on the rack for the rest of the first half,
with Roberto Di Matteo coming closest with long range efforts
that almost reach Inter Milan. But disaster strikes on the stroke
of half time when Tony Adams whispers the word 'Flying' in Dennis
Bergkamp's ear and the LondonClubs man has to leave the field
in terror.
After the interval things change. Without Bergkamp's trickery
to worry about, Paul Ince has wrested control of midfield from
Patrick Vierra and David Beckham is starting to find Ian Wright
with spiced up passes. From one of these, Wright slips the ball
past giggling keeper Bernard Lama, a task made simpler by the
attention the Frenchman is paying a suspicious looking cigarette.
Although Wright is subsequently sent off for baring his arse
in front of Martin Keown's face and shouting 'snap', the initiative
is firmly with the native Londoners, a point confirmed when Graham
Le Saux starts a damaging fight, along Chelsea versus Arsenal
lines, within the Clubs' camp.
As Lama tries to calm things down with words of peace, Paul
Merson puts down his booze, fags and betting slip long enough
to launch the ball into an empty net and Born'n'Bred are crowned
Kings of London.
We think London would boast the best city
team in the world. But what of other cities?
Madrid, for example, could call on Brazilian duo Juninho and
Roberto Carlos, while for Milan, Ronaldo and Paulo Maldini would
be likely starters.
So, supporters of other cities, take up our challenge, come
up with your best teams and drop us an e-mail
(world-cup@londonnet.co.uk)
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