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Rafa Benitez is one of the first names you think of when you think of successful managers in Europe. Valencia, Inter, Liverpool, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid are the big name clubs he’s had the luxury of managing, and he has led these teams to many trophies in his time with them. When you manage a big club you also get the chance to coach some of the best individuals the game has ever seen, Benitez has come across a lot of top talents and from that he has put together his best ever 11.
Here is that best 11.
Goalkeeper
Santiago Canizares
Santiago Canizares is the man Rafa trusts to protect his dream side’s goal. The two had quite some time together between 2001 to 2004 when Benitez was the manager at La Liga side Valencia. They ended up winning the league on two occasions and the UEFA Cup in 2004. Regarded as one of the best keepers the game has ever seen during his time, the quickness and reactions were unmatched in his days along with a knowledge of the game to keep his team on their toes. He could lead any team to greatness and everyone knew it. Canizares has around 700 games to his name, three world cup tournaments under his belt as well as countless club trophies. He is the ideal keeper to have protecting between the sticks.
Defenders
Marcelo
With an understanding of the game unlike most players, pace to keep up with any player and an ability to drop into the attack and change a game on the dime, Marcelo is almost any manager's dream full-back. Having won every possible trophy with Madrid, and having 400 games to his name, Marcelo knows how to handle the pressure of big games. He has calm composure when on the ball and ability to get out of any situation. Marcelo is the only option when it comes to a full-back. Benitez is lucky enough to have him in his team now.
Sergio Ramos
Another player part of Rafa’s current side, Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos is one of two players chosen to defend down the middle and seek out any incoming danger at center-back. A no-nonsense defender, with the pace of a winger and the vision and passing ability of a midfielder, Ramos is one of the current best players the game has ever seen and, like Marcelo, he is often in most managers dream 11s. Ramos is certified to be called on as one of the best defenders in the world. He has countless individual accolades (La Liga Breakthrough Player 2005, La Liga Best Defender 2012,13 and 2014) as well as club trophies (La Liga, Club World Cup, Champions League and Copa Del Rey) and international titles (Confederations Cup, World Cup and European Championship). Benitez has no worries when it comes to his back line with Ramos back there, whether its with Madrid or this Dream 11.
Sami Hyypia
Sami Hyypia is a player with some time under his belt with almost 700 games played as well as a trophy case laden with all the trophies achievable at club level except the league and a Club World Cup; all won at Liverpool and some won with Benitez during his time at Anfield. Hyypia was a player known for his rough-you-up defensive style of play. A real aerial threat on set pieces and the biggest threat you'll face on the pitch, Hyypia was a very special player to have in your back line not only for his playing style but his vision. His knowledge of the game from a defender's point of view was so vast he could be put in any team and play like he’s been a part of the team for years.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Finishing up the back line is former Liverpool and current Real Madrid fullback Alvaro Arbeloa. Working with Rafa on two separate occasions at both Anfield and The Santiago Bernabeu, Arbeloa is no stranger to his tactics and styles of play which can only help Benitez in the long run. Arbeloa is also an amazing choice as he can play on either side of the pitch and his amazing defensive mentality and work rates. When it comes to trophies and accolades he is up there with current teammate Sergio Ramos having won all international titles and all club honors you can win in football. It’s safe to say that Arbeloa is the perfect player to tie up the defensive back line for any team.
A defense is just as important as an offense; it's like yin and yang; one cannot survive without the other. Ramos and Hyypia have a deep understanding of how to play a defensive role in any team, and they also understand how a striker thinks and are very quick to shut a forward down before anything can be created. Marcelo is one of the fastest players in the game to date and neither he nor Arbeloa fear wingers or midfielders running at them down the flanks. They also understand their role in the attack and when to drop out back into the defense. That is a crucial part of being a fullback. The understanding of roles in this back 4 is what makes them a force to be reckoned with and a brick wall no frontline could penetrate.
Xabi Alonso
The anchor of the team is none other than Spanish legend Xabi Alonso. Alonso worked alongside Arbeloa and Benitez at Liverpool, but left he Real Madrid before Benitez took the reigns over at the Madrid club. The Liverpool years were the early years, Benitez was there every step of the way to mold Alonso at Anfield. Alonso has the vision of a hawk, a tactician’s ability to read the game, and the passing accuracy of Pirlo, Xavi and Iniesta, Alonso is one of the best midfielders the game has ever seen. Alonso has won trophies in Spain, England and Germany as well as a World Cup and two Euro titles with Spain. Alonso has also been named Spanish player of the year in 2003 and La Liga’s best midfielder in 2012 which makes him more than capable of being the heart of this team and linking the play between defense and attack.
Steven Gerrard
English football has produced some of the world's best talents. They have gone on to win trophies in not only England, but all over the world. David Beckham to George Best or Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer, unfortunately those aren't the players we’re talking about. We are talking about none other than Steven Gerrard. The Liverpool icon who played almost all of his career there, now playing at MLS side LA Galaxy, is one of the top attacking midfielders England and all of football have ever seen.
An absolute rocket of a shot and a trademark over the top through ball, Gerrard is the perfect player to have coming in right behind the striker in and at the top of the box. The former Liverpool and England Captain has a certain pressure he brings with him when he steps onto the pitch: he commands the pitch and demands excellence from his surrounding teammates. Gerrard spent sometime under Benitez and can help the manager to get the best out of the players and carry out the tactics needed to win the most important games. With countless individual honors (Player of the year, Top Scorer, Man of the Match) as well as every club level title except the league and Club World Cup, Gerrard is a crucial member of this dream 11.
Frank Lampard
Another English player in the starting 11 is former Chelsea star Frank Lampard. Playing the majority of his career with Chelsea, Lampard played briefly under Benitez as he was only manager for about half a season when Chelsea were having a time finding the right fit for manager. Lampard is one of the highest scoring midfielders in English football with 262 at club level, 211 of which are from his days at Stamford Bridge. With an eye for the goal, like Gerrard, Lampard is the perfect player to have in that supporting role under the striker, and Benitez has two players like that in his dream 11. Talk about lucky. With every trophy possible at club level, except the Club World Cup, Lampard is accustomed to winning and playing important matches. Lampard also has quite the show of individual titles as well (UEFA Midfielder of the Year, Player of the Year, Team of the Year, Player of the Month, Man of the Match) and is more than able to take on the role in this dream 11.
The midfield is the bridge of any team from defense to attack. Without a good midfield a team cannot function. Benitez has, on paper, one of the best midfield line ups ever assembled in his dream 11. It has deadly vision and accuracy, some of the most powerful passers and shot takers in football, and a knowledge and love for the game that is equal to none. This midfield is almost unstoppable and would leave teams for dead with their passing abilities.
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo… do i even need to say any more?
Fernando Torres
Mostly known for his drop in form after his big money move from Liverpool to rivals Chelsea, Fernando Torres is still one of the best strikers out there. You just have to catch him on the right day. With over 700 games to his name, the Spanish striker has had quite the career in football with ups and downs. He is still a striker that Benitez has full faith in and sometimes that's all you need to get back into the swing of things. When Torres is in form no one man or defense can stop him from putting the ball in the back of the net and everyone knows that. He’s won everything at international level including the Champions League with Chelsea. On an individual scale he has a Golden Boot award, Player of the Year Bronze award, Man of the Match and player of the month. Torres is more than capable of tearing through a defense and scoring in that crucial moment when it’s most needed.
Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard, the youngest player in this team, and one of the shortest Benitez-managed tenures, Hazard impressed quickly not only with Rafa but with the world. Said to be the next Ronaldo or Messi and win a Ballon D’or in the future, Hazard is one of the best young talents in Europe; he has won the award for best young player on numerous occasions. Quick on his feet with a bag full of tricks as well as an eye for a goal and a pass, he is your go-to man when you need a game to change in a matter of minutes. Calm on the ball and with a passing range similar to Pirlo or Xavi, he has the knowledge of a veteran. Hazard is a complete player and can do it from any position in the attack. With 8 player of the year/season awards, Hazard has proved that he can go toe-to-toe with even the best players in the game.
This front line is made up of players who will win you a game or change a game on its head for the better. These players are quick, skillful and have the biggest eye for goal with no fear of any defensive line. They are always one step ahead of their mark, and even know what the defender is going to do before they do it. All these attributes combined make for one deadly front line that can beat any team, any time, any where.
