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We visit new "Clubs That Could Have Been" if managers never sold their players, and the strong lineups of players that have developed into world class footballers since their departure.
Werder Bremen, Sporting Lisbon, and FC Porto are next in the queue to look at their former top talents.
Werder Bremen
Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil at Werder Bremen. Photo: @ClassicUtd | Twitter
Starting XI (4-4-2): GK - Tim Weise. DEF - Sebastian Boenisch, Naldo, Per Mertesacker, Sokratis. MID - Kevin De Bruyne, Mesut Ozil, Torsten Frings, Diego. FWD - Miroslav Klose, Claudio Pizzaro.
A long time keeper for Bremen starts between the sticks. The physically aggressive back four, who have all gone on to play for top flight clubs, contains both height and finesse. Ozil starts farther back in the midfield alongside Frings, despite playing behind strikers at Madrid, solely because of his ability to push play forward and deliver long balls to his attacking teammates. De Bruyne and Diego on the wings will provide the necessary incission to pounce on counter-attacks, while the two veterans up front create a striking partnership. The all-time leading World Cup scorer Klose is the cherry on top for Werder Bremen’s attack.
Sporting Lisbon
Cristiano Ronaldo at the beginning of his footballing career with Sporting Lisbon. Photo: @Classic11Shirts | Twitter
Starting XI (3-4-3): GK - Peter Schmeichel. DEF - Marcos Rojo, Polga, Joao Pereira. MID - Nani, Miguel Veloso, William Carvalho, Joao Moutinho. FWD - Cristiano Ronaldo, Helder Postiga, Luis Figo.
Danish goal keeping legend Peter Schmeichel starts in goal with only three defenders in front. Marcos Rojo is the youngster of the group, but has proved to be a valuable player at Manchester United this season and alongside two Portuguese two national players, the back three would be rock solid. The defensive midfielders are lesser known to the popular audience, but their work rate easily earns them a spot in the squad. William Carvalho has been marked at nearly 25 million euros and has been sought out by Mourinho to come to Stamford Bridge. Sporting has developed most of Portugal's current crop of national stars, proving why the entire attacking presence in this line-up has been featured in World Cup squads. Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the biggest names on this list, and his success at Manchester United and Real Madrid is rooted in the ranks of Sporting Lisbon.
FC Porto
Falcao, James Rodriguez, Hulk, and Moutinho all together during some of FC Porto's most successful years. Photo: @FT_360 | TwitterFalcao, James Rodriguez, Hulk, and Moutinho all together during some of FC Porto's most successful years. Photo: @FT_360 | Twitter
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): GK - Helton. DEF - Alvaro Perira, Ricardo Carvalho, Pepe, Paualo Ferreira. DEF MID - Fernando, Raul Meireles. ATK MID - Christian Tello, James Rodriguez, Hulk. FWD - Falcao
FC Porto are formed in a modern 4-2-3-1 with long-time servant Helton in goal. Some of Portugal’s best defenders for both Porto and the national team make up the back four with Carvalho and Pepe in the center. Fernando and Meireles are both veterans of the English Premier League and have become so defensively sound through their career, they take pressure off of the defensive line. Former Barcelona prospect Christian Tello is on the left wing with Hulk on the opposite side of him. Hulk’s time at Porto helped them regain momentum and become a real threat in the Champions League. The new Real Madrid midfielder is directly behind Falcao. Despite his awful loan spell at Manchester United this season, he was one of the best strikers for Porto and Monaco in recent years.
These clubs are sometimes overlooked in football today, but they have helped bring some of the best players to the world’s stage.
