For this interview, I look back at World Soccer magazine writer
Eric Batty’s World XI selections for specific years.
This will be a semi-regular and continuous series.
The Interviewees are:
Mr. Robert Fielder
Mr. Fielder is the
Author of ‘The Complete History of the World
Cup’ (2014) and ‘The Complete History of the European Championship’ (2016).
Mr. Fielder’s
contact info:
twitter: @ademir2z
Book links:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Complete-History-European-Championship-ebook/dp/B01ET46ZO2?ie=UTF8&*Version
Mr. Craig McCracken
Mr. McCracken is the Administrator
of Soccer History and retro blog, ‘Beyond the Last man’.
Mr. McCracken’s contact info:
twitter: @BeyondTLM
Blog: https://beyondthelastman.com/
Email: beyondthelastman@gmail.com
_732x770.jpg) |
Photo
From: World Soccer, September 1992
|
(Eric
Batty’s World XI of the year 1992) |
Soccernostalgia Question: Eric Batty
was a well-respected Journalist with World Soccer from its inception in the
1960s. He was most notably very knowledgeable on Eastern European Football. Can
you talk about his background and your memories of reading his articles for
World Soccer?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response: I bought my first issue of World Soccer in December 1990
and was only a sporadic reader in the 1990s so the name Eric Batty didn’t mean
much to me at the time. In the early 2000s I started to subscribe to the
magazine and then began collecting back issues. As I built my collection,
Eric’s articles were a regular source of interest and his yearly World XIs were
the particular high points. Although the World XI normally came in the final
months of the year, it didn’t come in a set month and some years there wasn’t
one at all which was always big disappointment. If ever I got a new issue from
October to December, I always opened it hoping that it might contain another
World XI. There were names in the early XIs that I’d never heard of before and
I keenly added the likes of Paul Bonga-Bonga (a Congolese half-back who played
in Belgium), Fahrudin Jusufi (Yugoslav full-back) and Nestor Goncalves
(Uruguayan right-half) to lists of the best players of their respective eras.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s
Response: Eric was a World Soccer staple for three decades, much of that
time as its editor, and he continually demonstrated his knowledge of the game
across the world through his writing. To do that job he had to; the World
Soccer team was not a large one and Eric would have had the job of filling in
all of the writing gaps across the periodical’s global coverage of the game,
meaning a broad range was essential.
A particular interest in and strong knowledge of eastern European
football was one of his things though, a trait that was shared with several of
the magazine’s other writers, notable Leslie Vernon and his own unquenchable
love for Hungarian football.
I remember Eric as a good old-fashioned enthusiast rather than a
polished football writer. He had so many ideas rattling around in his mind that
getting them into print in a fluid and penetrable form could be a challenge -
he was an editor who really needed the services of an editor.
Soccernostalgia Question: Eric
Batty’s World XI list was a staple of World Soccer. However, his World XIs were
not necessarily ‘The Best’ Team of the year. He looked for an amalgam in his selections and
sometimes the selections and formations seemed odd. Do you recall such choices?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response: I think the 80s in particular were an odd
period for the formations and inclusions and Eric was never afraid to pick
unusual selections. For most of the 60s and 70s, the formations made some sort
of sense, even if the inclusions were less orthodox. Eric seemed to have a
natural distrust of some of the truly great players with Cruyff rarely making
the XI, despite his continued brilliance. In the 80s, he seemed to veer away
from normality and his teams became increasingly unusual. Probably the high
point was 1985 where he selected seven central midfielders, one true
centre-back and a sweeper in truly mad formation. You had to think that Peter
Shilton, who was selected in goal, would be having a busy time of it.
Continuing the unique selections, his decision to omit Diego Maradona in 1986
showed that he was happy to defy convention and a pick the players he
personally liked best.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s Response: Assembling a World XI is a very personal and very subjective thing
and I’m sure that some of our own choices would appear unusual to others too.
We all have certain biases - traits that we value over others and, as a result,
in certain cases obviously brilliant players might be eschewed because we don’t
appreciate said player’s work rate or media profile for example.
Eric undoubtedly had his biases and his quirks and, while you
might not see patterns over 3 or 4 selections, when he created his World XIs
over three decades those biases really stand out.
There are many players you would assume would be fixtures, but
actually rarely featured (Maradona, Cruyff) and formations that came and went
and were never heard of again (2-1-5-1-1 or 1-3-1-4-1)
Soccernostalgia Question: The 1992
list was the very last he made prior to his death in 1994. Let’s start off with
the goalkeeper position. Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel was most likely
selected after Denmark winning the Euros. Veterans such as Walter Zenga, Andoni
Zubizarreta and Hans van Breukelen were still in the mix. What do you think of
Mr. Batty’s choice and who would have been your preference?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response: I can’t argue too much with Schmeichel who was excellent
at the Euros and had come off a fine season with Manchester United, helping
them to the best defensive record in the English top-flight. He had a
tremendous presence and was one of the few real stars of the European
Championship. Among others, Vitor Baia had a stellar season for Porto and Luca
Marchegiani had impressed with Torino. I was also a big admirer of Gianluca Pagliuca
who was so important to the success of Sampdoria at this point. As you say,
Zenga, Zubizarreta and Van Breukelen remained top keepers and Germany seemed to
have a selection to choose from in Stein (even if he no longer made the
national team), Kopke and Ilgner.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s Response: Often players are rated retrospectively in fantasy teams for what
they became rather than what they were at the time, though obviously Eric Batty
would not be around to see the brilliant keeper that Peter Schmeichel became
later in the 1990s.
He was still a very good keeper in 1992 of course, but to my eyes
he had not settled especially comfortably into the role at Manchester United
yet and his place in this team is purely down to his heroics over a handful of
games at the European Championships.
My choice for 1992 would have been Gianluca Pagliuca of Sampdoria
and Italy.
_1324x1790.jpg) |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial,
Issue 42, July 1992
|
(Peter
Schmeichel) |
Soccernostalgia Question: The
defense is unorthodox to say the least. Laurent Blanc is the Libero, with
another libero Ronald Koeman and Central defender Des Walker as outside backs
with defensive midfielder, the Brazilian Mauro Silva in front of them (based on
Mr. Batty’s decision, he’s in part of the defense, not midfield). For the
libero position, Koeman himself (for scoring in the Champions Cup Final) and
Franco Baresi could have been chosen instead of Blanc and even Jurgen Kohler in
the center of defense was a possibility. In fact, Des Walker (selected as an
outside back) would have been a solid choice in center of defense as well
(although he was on the verge of a nightmarish season with Sampdoria). Discuss
the selections and your own preferences?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response: Baresi feels like a big omission and he would definitely
merit inclusion for me. He was such a great defender with his ability to read
the game, his speed, his quality on the ball. At the time he had to rank among
the very best players in the world, not just the best centre-backs. Koeman
similarly had come off another stellar season with Barcelona, winning the
European Cup and scoring the winning goal in the final with a superb free kick.
His set-piece ability and range of passing were second to none, so I’d include
him in the centre as well, even if he and Baresi were both nominally sweepers.
Blanc and Walker are both worthy suggestions, even if they were very different
players. Blanc of course gained renown, similarly to Koeman, with the number of
goals he scored (albeit, not as many as the Dutchman) and was stylish and
progressive in possession. Walker was the antithesis of the Frenchman, relying
on his exceptional speed and love of defending to get his sides out of trouble.
He had been superb with Forest and rightly lauded as among the best defenders
around. He was a true “no-nonsense” centre-back. Among some of the other
potential inclusions, Kohler was an excellent man-marker, maybe the best in the
world alongside Pietro Vierchowod. His Juventus colleague Julio Cesar was also
a fine player and I think that Rune Bratseth of Werder Bremen and Ricardo Rocha
of Real Madrid would also be in the conversation. It’s hard though to pick
better individuals than Baresi and Koeman.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s
Response: There was an element of overcompensation sometimes about Eric’s
selections. In the early 80s he decided that as wingers were out of fashion,
traditional full backs had no-one to mark and so they weren’t needed either.
It sometimes left you with odd looking teams and formations and
this 1992 example looks exceedingly narrow! Any defensive selection from the
early 1990s that did not include Franco Baresi would be compromised as far as I
was concerned, so I’d have mirrored the back four system he thrived in,
partnered by Jurgen Kohler and with fullbacks - pick any German or Italian
international of the time.
I personally was never a great fan of Laurent Blanc and while
Ronald Koeman was a force of nature, I can’t imagine him in the same back line as
Baresi. Perhaps I’m just a traditionalist too who likes my central defenders to
have complementary qualities.
.jpg) |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Issue 34, November 1991
|
(Laurent
Blanc) |
_1888x929.jpg) |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial,
Issue 42, July 1992
|
(Ronald
Koeman) |
_969x1343.jpg) |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial,
Issue 42, July 1992
|
(Des
Walker) |
Soccernostalgia Question: As far as
outside backs, Paolo Maldini should have automatically been chosen in those
years, not to mention Stuart Pearce or Jorginho. Discuss the selections and
your own preferences?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response:
The omission of Maldini in particular feels
odd. This was arguably his prime period and there has been no finer left-sided
defender that I’ve seen. He was so elegant defensively, astute in his
positioning and a clean tackler. He also got forward well, even if not quite to
the level of some later full-backs. To me, he was the complete defender and
would be a certain inclusion. Among right-backs, his fellow Italians Bergomi
and Tassotti were potential selections. Others who were in particularly good
form at this point were Joao Pinto, the Porto defender, Albert Ferrer of
Barcelona and Rob Jones of Liverpool, who would have been a top player
throughout the 1990s but for injuries. I think Jorginho and Cafu would also be
potential suggestions at this point, even if the latter’s reputation outside of
Brazil was not quite fully developed. Overall, I think I’d go for Bergomi on
the right, to add a bit of security for a pair of adventurous centre-backs.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s Response: Yes, it’s really hard to make a case for Maldini not being one of
the first names you would put in your team, but it ties in with Eric’s
disregard for that role in that era.
My choice of full-backs from that era would be anyone you like
from Italy or Germany - Bergomi, Maldini, Brehme, Reuter, Berthold. Those roles
happened to the weakest ones in the brilliant Dutch team and other strong
nations like Argentina and Yugoslavia were not well-stocked there either.
Brazil would become a real force here of course, but not quite by
1992.
Soccernostalgia Question: The
midfield is made up of Frank Rijkaard, Srecko Katanec and Brian Laudrup. No
arguments on Rijkaard as he was in top form in an unbeaten Serie A season with
AC Milan and along with Marco van Basten was the only foreign-player
untouchable in AC Milan’s 1992/93 team. Brian Laudrup was beneficiary of
Denmark winning the Euros. Others in contention could have been Lothar Matthaus
(though his pre-Euros injury probably counted against him in this selection),
Dejan Savicevic was struggling at this point at Milan, Gascoigne was just
returning after more than a year out injured, Thomas Haessler did well in the
Euros but not as good at club level and Brian Laudrup’s own brother Michael may
have had a claim with his performances with Barcelona. Discuss the selections
and your own preferences?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response:
Rijkaard is one of the few certainties here.
He was such an excellent all-round footballer, either in midfield or central
defence and an absolute favourite of mine. He was also exceptionally
consistent. His level throughout the late 80s, through to his retirement was
never short of world class. An honourable mention for Didier Deschamps as a
possible inclusion as well. Among the central midfielders, Matthaus hadn’t had
his best season but was a real class act. His drive and determination in the
centre were first rate and I’d be inclined to pick him. Katanec had enjoyed a
good season with Sampdoria but was never really a world class performer. A few
other potential inclusions were Fernando Hierro who had enjoyed a superb season
with Real Madrid, Igor Shalimov who had really impressed at Foggia and two
youngsters who would go on to play with great distinction over the next ten
years, Demetrio Albertini and Pep Guardiola. In terms of the Laudrup brothers,
Brian had an excellent Euro 92 with his pace and direct running, one of the
real bright sparks for the Danes. I would though choose his brother Michael.
His passing was exceptional and he was such an important figure in Cruyff’s
Dream Team. He would be an excellent choice to dictate the play in my midfield.
I should call out as well Ruud Gullit, such a wonderfully complete figure, even
if not at his absolute peak at this stage. Enzo Scifo, on the back of a great season
for Torino, Hagi of Real Madrid, Rui Barros and Andreas Moller were others who
had shone at club level. I also had a real admiration for Abedi Pele, who was a
magical figure in the great Marseille side of the era.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s Response: I’m not a particular fan of Eric’s 1992 midfield at all for
several reasons. Firstly, I think that Mauro Silva, Rijkaard and Katancec,
while all fine players, all somewhat perform similar functions. Secondly, I
think because of this repetition you have a midfield that is far too narrow and
lacking width. Brian Laudrup should really be playing on the right side if he’s
playing anywhere in the team, though I would have Roberto Donadoni in that role
personally.
To add more creativity, I’d probably add in either Michael Laudrup
or Enzo Scifo.
_2487x3460.jpg) |
Photo
From: World Soccer, July 1992
|
(Brian
Laudrup) |
_278x373.jpg) |
Photo
From: 1991-92 Calciatori Panini
|
(Srecko
Katanec) |
_1600x1262.jpg) |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 12, 1993
|
(Frank
Rijkaard) |
Soccernostalgia Question: For his
preference as one of the wingers, Mr. Batty selected little known Italian
Alessandro Orlando of Sampdoria. Strange selection to say the least as Orlando
was not really a regular for any of his clubs: Juventus, Fiorentina and AC
Milan and mainly bounced from club to club. What do you think of this choice?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response:
This goes down as one of the really odd
choices that Eric made. It’s hard to quite understand it. Italy had the likes
of Donadoni, Lentini and Lombardo at this stage who were all wingers of real
renown. I’d have any of them ahead of Orlando. I won’t choose any wingers but
the one I’d be most inclined to include would be Ryan Giggs. His pace,
dribbling and quality on the ball made him the most exciting talent in British
football at this point and were earning him deserved comparisons with George
Best. He was a brilliant player and this was arguably the most thrilling period
of his career.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s Response: Alessandro Orlando was an attacking left back. There was a right
sided midfielder named Angelo Orlando who played for Inter at the time, but in
reality, I think this is a misprint and that the intention was to name Attilio
Lombardo of Samp in that role.
_295x387.jpg) |
Photo
From: 1991-92 Calciatori Panini
|
(Alessandro
Orlando) |
Soccernostalgia Question: For the
center forward position Marco van Basten is the choice and that was not up for
discussion at that point as he was in superb form with AC Milan. Upfront he is
partnered up with Bebeto. This is a strange choice as Bebeto had been
stagnating for some time but was on the verge of regaining his form with Mauro
Silva at Deportivo La Coruna (1992/93). Other choices may have included Hristo
Stoichkov (excellent at Barcelona), Jean-Pierre Papin (his early troubles at AC
Milan most likely counted against him) and Gianluca Vialli (recently
transferred to Juventus) and Dennis Bergkamp, a rising star at Ajax and in the
Euros. Discuss the selections and your own preferences?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response: This was a great generation
of centre-forwards and Van Basten was the best of the lot. He was graceful, strong,
clever and a superb finisher. He had no weaknesses in his game. It’s one of the
great tragedies that he wouldn’t play again after the 1992-3 season. Among
other strikers Papin was also superb and had enjoyed a number of fine seasons
at Marseille; a spectacular finisher who struck the ball so well. Lineker had
signed off from European football with a great year at Spurs before moving to
Japan and Vialli was another brilliant player. Any of those would be worthy
inclusions but Van Basten deserves his place. Alongside him I’d really like to
include all three of Baggio, Bergkamp and Stoichkov but can only choose two.
They were each in prime form at this point, capable of changing games with
their brilliance. Given I can only pick two, I’ll have to leave out Stoichkov,
and include Baggio from the left and Bergkamp the right. They’d give Van Basten
plenty of ammunition. In respect of Bebeto, it seems a slightly strange choice
but he made a superb start to the season at Depor and ultimately ended up with
29 goals in the 1992-3 season. I also think he could have played well with Van
Basten, because he was a really clever player and an excellent foil for another
forward.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s Response: The inclusion of Bebeto does seem something of a surprise, much as
you could say about Mauro Silva being chosen in midfield. Maybe Eric had a
thing for Deportivo La Coruna at the time, though neither player had been in
Spain all that long when he would have prepared this selection.
Stoichkov would have seemed a much better choice for me as he
could play off the left and not occupy the same spaces as Van Basten -
something that Papin did when the pair teamed up at Milan.
Bergkamp was up-and-coming but not quite at this level for me in
1992. He would have played behind Van Basten in a number ten role and, to be
honest, this is a selection that needs more width rather than more creative
central players.
_2610x1870.jpg) |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial, Hors Serie 12, 1993
|
(Marco
van Basten) |
_2601x3890.jpg) |
Photo
From: Onze-Mondial,
Issue 47, December 1992
|
(Bebeto
and Mauro Silva) |
Soccernostalgia Question: From the
players you chose as part of your preferences, which ones do you feel are
noteworthy omissions?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response: Baresi and Maldini in
particular feel like big omissions. I think they were clearly exceptional
players at this point in time with a fair claim to being the best players of
all time in their individual positions. Perhaps you can point to the fact that
Italy hadn’t qualified for Euro 92 as a fault in their credentials but Serie A
was clearly the strongest league in the world at this point and Milan the best
team in it.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s Response: See previous answers
Soccernostalgia Question: From Mr.
Batty’s choices, which ones do you believe are incorrect?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response:
The Orlando selection is an odd one and
Katanec feels a little unusual. I think all of the others have some merit and
each of the other ten enjoyed high level international careers. Orlando in
contrast was probably not among the 5-10 best Italian wingers of the 1990s.
Mr. Craig McCracken’s Response: Most of them! I disagree with a lot of individual player choices,
but also feel that Eric’s team suffers from a lack of balance in the traits of
the players he has selected.
Soccernostalgia Question: On
balance, how do you regard Mr. Batty’s choices for that year?
Mr. Robert Fielder’s
Response:
Mr. Craig McCracken’s Response: Eccentric, but that was part of the charm of Eric’s World XIs.
There is not one single year when there is not some plainly odd player or
tactical or formational selections that leave you scratching your head.
Let’s just say that for all the great players who featured over
the years, not many of his teams would have ever won a football game if they
had the chance to play.
_1696x2339.jpg) |
Photo
From: World Soccer, September 1992
|
(Eric
Batty’s World XI of the year 1992) |
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