23 for 2010 – Chile: World Cup squad analysis

Chile possess a squad of talented individuals and coach Marcelo Bielsa has led a re-emergence of the Chilean national side as one of South America’s best sides. I will begin to compile a squad of 23, considering injuries and form, speculating as to whom Bielsa will bring to South Africa. The job to narrow down the squad is a difficult one, particularly considering the large pool of players Bielsa called upon in qualifying.

Goalkeepers

Assured a place until recently in the world cup is country captain Claudio Bravo. Bravo should without doubt be first choice but Chile will have concerns over his fitness due to a knee injury picked up playing for his club Real Sociedad. Bravo featured in every minute of qualifying and his shot stopping abilities are his main quality. Chile will understandably be sweating over the fitness of their captain as one of the more experienced players in the squad and with a relatively untested goalkeeper waiting in the wings.

Ready to stand in if Bravo loses his battle for fitness, is Miguel Pinto having spent much of Bielsa’s reign on the bench. Pinto has only featured in a limited number of friendlies but despite this Chile should have faith in him. Pinto’s performance for club team Universidad de Chile last season not only helped them to win the Chilean leagues opening phase, but also to claim personal accolades and recognition for his performances.

The third choice goalkeeper is likely to be Christopher Toselli, who also featured in Chile’s impressive 3^rd place at the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup. On this occasion Nery Veloso was preferred to him but Toselli is expected to again win the battle for the final goalkeeping place in the squad.

Defenders

With Chile expected to line up with three in defence, they will have concerns over West Brom’s Gonzalo Jara who has been nursing a knee injury since February. Chile insist he will be fit but will nevertheless be worried. Alongside Jara, Chile will look to rely on two men who continue to ply their trade in South America.

Gary Medel and Waldo Ponce have shone at times in the red of Chile and were both part of the starting line up who famously shut out an Argentine side blessed with attacking flair, despite the questionable guidance of Diego Maradona. Medel has also vastly impressed with Boca Juniors in lead up to South Africa since his move to the South American giants. He has began to establish himself as one of their most important players and will only further enhance his reputation in South Africa. Medel is primarily a defensive midfielder but also slotted into Chile’s defence during qualifying.

Waldo Ponce was also a regular, and displayed his quality throughout. The Chileans will have much trust in their backline if these three are available come the 16^th June for Chile’s opener as these three will be quietly confident they have what it takes to cope with the attacks of Honduras and Switzerland respectively.

When considering back up of these positions, the experienced Pablo Contreras should be first choice here. With 49 caps to his name and an invaluable wealth of domestic European experience, Contreras’ example will be just as important as his performances as Chile will need to avoid such controversy as the one that marred their last Copa America campaign. Further backup in defence should be provided by Colo Colo’s Roberto Cereceda who featured throughout qualifying.

Midfielders

Chile’s midfield consists of a combination of flair and ball winners. Central to this will be Bayer Leverkusen’s versatile Arturo Vidal who offers both. Carlos Carmona alongside him will be vital to helping Chile keep their shape, after becoming a mainstay in Bielsa’s side throughout qualifying.

Like Carmona, Mauricio Isla is one of numerous players plying their trade in Italy and will look to provide further steel within the side. Both players possess a ball winning ability and anticipation of the game which will be key.

Matias Fernandez is another certain to go to provide the flair and trickery within the midfield. Mark Gonzalez is another who will go to South Africa. Having been deployed in both midfield and attack, Gonzalez will be hoping to impress Bielsa enough to start against Honduras on June 16^th. Beginning to flourish on the national stage, he will be key to Chile’s hopes.

Back up should come in the shape of the eccentric Jorge Valdivia and Rodrigo Millar who can be trustfully relied upon. Valdivia may have forced himself further into Bielsa’s starting plans had he not made a big money move to the United Arab Emirates, which leads to questions as to his ability to perform immediately against a host of high quality sides. Manuel Iturra is another versatile squad player, and another who plies his trade with Universidad de Chile. He is another who can provide an option out wide or in front of the defensive three.

Forwards

Perhaps Bielsa’s biggest dilemma lies with which attackers to take to South Africa. Guaranteed a place is Humberto Suazo whose goals in qualifying were key to qualification. Having spent the latter part of the season in La Liga, Bielsa will have no worries of his ability to continue such form.

Filling the wide vacancies within the attack are likely to be Alexis Sanchez and Jean Beausejour. If Sanchez performs, then Chile are guaranteed to threaten the opponents flanks with his speed and flair. Beausejour provided La Roja with numerous well rounded performances in qualifying and has clearly impressed Bielsa.

Bielsa enjoys having attacking options on the bench, and Fabian Orrelana provides a good option and is likely to be on the plane to South Africa. Esteban Paredes looks to also have done enough to force himself into the squad for South Africa. He holds an excellent goal record in his limited caps and therefore should be the alternative for Suazo. Along with Paredes and Orrelana, Hector Mancilla’s impressive domestic goal record in Mexico may force him into Bielsa’s plans.

Who should make Chile’s World Cup starting lineup? Discuss your thoughts below.

(Pic via Cerveza Cristal on Flickr)

23 for 2010, Chile, Football in Latin America, Squad Analysis, World Cup 2010