World Cup 2010: Who is Missing, Who Will Be Missed?

(Ed Note: This post was researched and written by e-friend JG2112, who is helping the JCB throughout its coverage of the 2010 World Cup. Its an excellent piece and we look forward to his continued contributions over the next month)

Followers of any sport recognize that injuries can do significant damage to your depth chart or team. For our purposes at the JCB, we focus on the effect that injuries could have on the 2010 World Cup. Every quadrennial the hopes and dreams of teams expecting to go deep into the tournament get dashed because of rogue injuries before or during the tournament. In 1966, Pele was kicked out of the tournament by the Portuguese. In 1990 (Diego Maradona), 1994 (Roberto Baggio), 1998 (Ronaldo) 2002 (Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham), and 2006 (Wayne Rooney), injuries took the shine off of the performances of a few of the top players at each of those tournaments.

The 2010 edition is no different, and too bad for that, as a World Cup which will allow certain folks to get on a soapbox about the choice of South Africa as the tourney’s venue needs quality play and star power to provide a counterpoint to those persons’ jingoism and xenophobia (though it must be asked: other than the Olympics, is there a bigger public display for those traits than the World Cup?) While the standard of play will be helped by the lowest temperatures at game-time since perhaps the 1978 World Cup in Argentina, the tournament’s star power has been severely affected by injuries. Messi, Xavi, Rooney, and Donovan remain. However, the following are bullet-points as to a few players who are missing or whose participation is uncertain at the 2010 World Cup due to injury, and how that person’s absence should affect your view of that team’s chances for success (and since you’re reading JCB, anything you may do in reliance on that view).

(1) Jozy Altidore (Striker, USA) – last week Altidore sprained his ankle in practice, and was held out of the Obamamaniacs’ 3-1 victory over Australia as a precaution. The benefit? Edson Buddle scored two goals as his replacement. The Americans might have a few goalscoring options between Altidore, Buddle, Dempsey and Donovan that will make the question, “Say, where is Freddy Adu?” jejune. Expect Altidore to be at least ready for 45 minutes versus England, and to play into shape against Algeria and Slovenia.

Is this injury significant? Yes, in that Buddle was unearthed as a legitimate option at international level. Altidore should be a key contributor during the tournament, but Buddle provides a legitimate substitute for Altidore.

(2) Michael Ballack (Central Midfield and Captain, Germany) -  Ballack is a world-class player who is known for losing the European Cup and World Cup finals within a month of each other in 2002. He missed the latter final through suspension, after carrying Germany through the tournament with goalkeeper Oliver Kahn.

He is out of this entire tournament thanks to a rash tackle by Portsmouth and Ghana’s Kevin-Prince Boateng in the English FA Cup Final last month (coincidence? Both teams are in Group D). Expect either Piotr Trochowski, or the unfortunately surnamed Bastian Schweinsteiger (translate it), to slot into Ballack’s role in the center of midfield.

Is this injury significant? It might be bad, but not as bad as you might think. The Germans play composed, technically precise football and cover for injured players rather well, and Schweinsteiger had a break-through year at his club, Bayern Munich. Although Ballack is a talisman, it should not be a surprise when Germany qualifies for the final 16.

(3) Gareth Barry (Central Midfield, England) – Barry was the center of a weird tug-of-war between Manchester City and Liverpool last summer which might have indirectly led to Liverpool skipper Rafael Benitez being forced to resign last week. Barry is a fine defensive midfielder who covers the holding area while Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard gallivant forward on their goalscoring runs. Barry’s importance caused England corch Fabio Capello to abandon his “injured players won’t make the squad” decree, and Barry will be given until June 11^th to prove his fitness.

Is this injury significant? According to Capello, yes. However, Gerrard could also slot into the holding role based on his experience, and Rooney could even play a more slightly withdrawn role, as he is an excellent backtracker in England and Man United’s front line. If Capello looks for a like-for-like replacement, Michael Carrick has been selected, although he has lost form and could be attacked by Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey on June 12^th. However, Barry’s injury can be compensated for until the quarter-finals (provided they avoid Germany in the Round of 16), which is surely what Capello has in mind.

(4) David Beckham (Right Midfield, England) – Remember this guy? He tore his Achilles’ heel playing for AC Milan earlier this year and is out of action until November.

Is this injury significant? Yes, in a number of ways. First, FIFA (and FIFA President Sepp Blatter’s pocketbook, in particular) is undoubtedly unhappy that the Beckham circus is not accompanied with on-field performances (he is in South Africa as some sort of coaching assistant for England). Second, there is no better crosser of the ball than Beckham in the world. Also, his threat at free kicks regularly led to goals at international level. Third, his tireless work rate would have been a benefit to an England side that, at about 28.5 years of age, is the oldest team at the World Cup.

Look to the benefits of Beckham’s loss, however. He did his best work with Gary Neville in support at fullback, and neither is playing in this tournament. Also, his possible replacements, Joe Cole, Aaron Lennon and Shawn Wright-Phillips, all have superior speed and can get to the byline for dangerous pullbacks to Wayne Rooney or the late-arriving Lampard or Gerrard. If you follow a certain Michigan sports e-blog, you’ll know that left-back is a danger spot for the Americans. Beckham’s replacements make that spot even more precarious on June 12^th.

(5) Jose Boswinga (Left Fullback, Portugal) – Boswinga has been out since October, 2009 with a knee injury. While his name is not as sexy as others on this list, teams like the Ivory Coast and Brazil have sufficient speed on the flanks to ask a lot out of teams’ fullbacks.

Is this injury significant? Perhaps, though the team has had nine months to prepare for his absence. Miguel has played in his spot, without incident. It’ll be worth watching how he defends Robinho, Dani Alves, Salomon Kalou, or Spain’s bevy of midfield talent. Also, Cristiano Ronaldo will be attracting a lot of attention and marking, so Miguel could provide an offensive piece to Portugal’s play.

(6) Didier Drogba (Striker and Captain, Ivory Coast) – In case you didn’t know who he was, well, Annie Leibovitz and Vanity Fair plopped him on VF’s U.S. cover. My wife was pleased. Then he went and broke his elbow last week. His participation in the tournament is uncertain at this point.

Is this injury significant? Undoubtedly. Drogba is probably one of the best three pure strikers in the tournament, alongside Fernando Torres (Spain) and Diego Forlan (Uruguay). He also is incredibly strong in the air and on the ball, and also is prolific in handling his defensive responsibilities (this is not surprising given his blossoming under now-Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho).

On the other hand, the Ivory Coast’s coach is Sven-Goran Eriksson, who has for decades melded teams into consistent, yet boring teams. If he’s able to do this with the Ivory Coast, and break every stereotype your local commentator will undoubtedly ralph in your lap within 5 minutes of each game involving an African club (“gee, the have great talent, but they are technically unsound and unorganized….”), Drogba’s loss may be minimized. However, if Drogba is unable to contribute, the Elephants likely won’t escape the Round of 16, let alone a group with Brazil and Portugal.

As far as side issues, possibly losing one of Africa’s two best players to injury is a blow to FIFA’s attempt to publicize this World Cup, especially given Drogba’s public persona and his numerous good charitable works.
(7) Michael Essien (Central Midfield and Captain, Ghana) – and here is maybe (sorry Samuel Eto’o, you whiner) Africa’s other best player. Drogba’s Chelsea teammate has been injured since he left on duty for the African Nations Cup in January, and has been ruled out of the World Cup.

Is this injury significant? Absolutely, although just like Beckham and Boswinga, Ghana has had months to prepare for his absence. Ghana does have quality replacements such as Stephen Appiah, Kevin Prince-Boateng, and Sulley Muntari, but none of these players has the power, stamina or class as does Essien. Essien’s absence may very well make the difference in whether Ghana or Serbia finish second to Germany in Group D.

(8) Rio Ferdinand (Central Defense and Captain, England) – Ferdinand hurt his knee late last week and was removed from the team. He was given the England captaincy after John Terry’s very public Tiger Woods moment earlier this year, and the loss of his experience (78 international appearances, or “caps”) is a shock to a very old England squad. Michael Dawson was drafted in as his replacement.

Is this injury significant? Yes, without question. England could not keep a clean sheet (a shutout) even with Ferdinand in the lineup. Now, if Ferdinand is lost and Barry is below strength, the center of England’s defense will be under severe stress (something Donovan, Dempsey and Altidore should exploit).

Look at Ferdinand’s replacement, Ledley King. Yes, he is a talented defenseman. However, he is no longer able to play more than one match a week at his club, Tottenham, because of a hole in the cartilage in his right knee. If King is unable to hold up, John Terry will be partnered with Matthew Upson, currently fighting a bad fever, or Jamie Carragher or Dawson, neither of whom inspire confidence. Other than Drogba, this might be the biggest injury absence at the World Cup.

(9) Jon Obi Mikel (Midfield, Nigeria) - What is it with Chelsea players at this World Cup? I’ve listed five here who are lost or in danger of being lost for the tourney due to injuries. Mikel has been confirmed as out due to a knee injury.

Is this injury significant? Probably not. Although Nigeria only has 4 recognized midfielders in their squad, a number of their forwards (Odemwinge, Kanu) can move back to support the midfield. Ultimately, however, Nigeria will go no further than the Round of 16 at best, so Mikel’s injury will likely not have a significant effect on the tournament.

(10) Arjen Robben (Winger, the Netherlands) and Fernando Torres (Striker, Spain) – both players are fighting leg injuries. Robben’s was suffered in the last two minutes of a 6-1 friendly victory last week, and Torres has been recovering from knee surgery. Most recent reports indicate Robben’s hamstring injury is not as bad as expected, and Torres has trained with Spain the past week.

Both the Netherlands and Spain have enough strength in depth, combined with “easy” groups, to allow Robben and Torres to heal through the group games in the hopes they contribute to their teams in the knockout stages. Look out – they could meet in the semi-finals.

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