Thursday, December 09, 2010

Norman Hubbard: Clubs benefit from World Cup absentees

Being Welsh may permanently preclude Bale from participating in a World Cup. Others who didn't qualify include the Swedish striker Johan Elmander, who has been reinvigorated at Bolton, Marouane Chamakh, whose excellence for Arsenal has been camouflaged by Nasri's luminous displays, and Vincent Kompany, staking a claim to be the division's most solid defender.

The 2010 tournament, meanwhile, came too soon for emerging talents like Jack Wilshere and Andy Carroll, who provided early-season evidence of their abilities. Others would have been there but for injuries that seem to have suited their respective employers. Michael Essien has been the sole source of dynamism in the centre of the Chelsea midfield while Nani is providing consistent invention on Manchester United's right flank.

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