Franceso Totti (Roma; Italy) - Second striker
Maybe not quite the player he once was, he's far from a faded star, having played another good season for his beloved Roma, that nearly resulted in a scudetto. But Totti has himself to blame for being excluded from this Italian World Cup squad, as he retired from international football after winning it last time around, and didn't make himself available for Italy's qualifying campaign. He did say that he would come out of international retirement and be available for the World Cup finals in South Africa, but Lippi opted for more motivated players.
Lisandro López (Lyon; Argentina) - Striker
Another Argentinian. Better than Martin Palermo, too. Doesn't have quite as fancy a name, though. Having scored 25 goals for Lyon this season, and having won the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award, he's the one to lead the attack for Rejects United.
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Stéphane Ruffier (Monaco; France) - Substitute
Young french goalkeeper who has looked very impressive for Monaco this season.
Julien Escudé (Sevilla; France) - Substitute
Solid veteran centre back.
Benoît Trémoulinas (Bordeaux; France) - Substitute
The 24 year old attack-minded left back has yet to make an appearance for France, but as his competition for the spot are first team regulars for Barcelona, Manchester United, Arsenal and Lyon, it hardly suggests he lacks quality.
Éver Banega (Valencia; Argentina) - Substitute
Following a disappointing loan session at Atéltico Madrid over the 08/09 season, the 21 year old defensive midfielder had better luck this season, as he's been one of the most impressive young players of the Primera División.
Adam Johnson (Manchester City; England) - Substitute
13 and goals 17 assists for the winger, over a season split in half between the Championship with Middlesbrough, and the Premier League with Manchester City. Johnson is one of the most exciting young English players, and would have likely made the selection if he were 23 years old rather than 22.
Darren Bent (Sunderland; England) - Substitute
With 24 Premier League goals to his name this season, Bent is the highest scoring top division footballer who's been snubbed for the World Cup. We welcome him here to get some imaginary international experience!
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid; France) - Substitute
The high profile striker failed to settle during his first season at Real Madrid and has quite frankly been poor. If you also take into consideration that Benzema has often failed to perform for his national team, Domenech's decision to drop him might not be as lunatic as you would expect from the lunatic. But there are no doubts about the ex-Lyon striker's ability, so we're willing to give him a chance to redeem his season. Besides, he has gained some valuable experience of warming the bench at Madrid, which could very well come in hand during the chilly South African winter nights. But I suppose he's not actually going there. Oh well, very well.
Previously:
Best of the Rest: Defenders
Best of the Rest: Midfielders
G. Lindström
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