Nasri Doesn't Cut It For France. Big Mistake?

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri is not on the 23-player list to play the 2014 World Cup with France. After missing out on the 2010 competition, Nasri is set to miss out once again! 

Nasri, 26, had a great season with Manchester City, winning the English Premier League title. He scored 11 goals in 46 games. He played a major role in the winning season, scoring important goals and delivering many assists. But that is apparently not enough for France coach Didier Deschamps. 

Nasri knew that he wasn't going to play the World Cup as he explained a few days ago to British reporters.

"I respect his choices. He makes his choices, that's the way it is," Nasri said Sunday about Deschamps. "I'll go on holiday and watch the World Cup on TV."

In my opinion Nasri would have been a great addition to the French squad. He brings something else to the game with his vision and great passing ability. He is a great player and would have been a better choice than Loic Remy who was selected by Deschamps. 

It seems Nasri knows that too as he believes that being a starter in his club should be a sign that he is a great player. 

"If it's not enough to be a starter in a club like Manchester City and win two titles (in two years) then it's too bad for me," Nasri said. 

Nasri pays his bad character and bad temper he showed after France's breakdown in Ukraine (0-2). Deschamps and him always had a difficult relationship, but according to Nasri, that should not be a problem as long as you are performing on the pitch, and I agree! 

"I don't have much to reproach myself with. I had one bad game in Ukraine, just like most of my teammates. Everything else is false excuses. I had played in many clubs and I never had any problems on or off the pitch. Now, you can't be friends with 23 players in a squad. That's the way it is." 

Do you think, like me, that Nasri should have been on the team for the World Cup? 

(Keep in mind that Nasri is on the extended list of 30 players and could still make it if one midfielder or attacker gets injured.)         

  

Is Mata The Right Fit For Man Utd?

This is the question everybody is asking amid the possible transfer of the Spanish player from Chelsea FC to Manchester United for $40 million Euros. Juan Mata, 25, has been looking for a way out of the London club where he struggled to get a starting spot since the beginning of the season. So if this deal works out, let's hope everyone will be happy! But I doubt it...

Is Manchester making the right choice by signing Juan Mata? Mata is a technically gifted player, winner of the World Cup and the Euro with Spain. He is a player many teams would like to have. However, many experts are saying that Mata won't fit in the system and the philosophy of Man Utd. Former Manchester player Gary Neville has expressed his doubts regarding Mata's ability to help Manchester getting better.

"Does he fit in with what I would call the typical Manchester United philosophy? I would say no!" 

However, Neville also said that Mata was a fantastic player who knows the Premier League and could bring some creativity to the Red Devils' game. That is something they greatly need! Manchester is struggling so far, stuck in eighth place, far away from the top four. The injuries of Rooney and Van Persie have hurt the club and the substitutes are having a hard time grabbing wins.

But will Mata play when Rooney and Van Persie will be back? How is Moyes going to manage so many players playing in similar positions? With Rooney, Young, Januszaj, Giggs, Nani, Welbeck and Valencia, Mata will have a tough time to earn--and keep--a spot! Mata played 17 games, scoring once and giving three assists with Chelsea this season.

So, will Moyes change his system to include the Spanish player? Maybe he should when you look at how bad his team is this season! One thing is sure, the young Spanish player is hungry; Hungry for playing time! He wants to touch the ball and to score goals! He also wants to play the World Cup in Brazil and this would only happen if he is effective on the field! No pressure... 

There could be one, and only one, big winner after this deal: Chelsea!  

    

World Cup Draw: Group F, The Group Of Death

The FIFA 2014 World Cup Draw was held today in Brazil with managers of all 32 teams waiting to see their fate. 

If some teams seem lucky after the draw, such as France or Argentina, others will face a much tougher opposition. Here is an overview of the groups and their consequences.

Group A:

1. Brazil
2. Croatia
3. Mexico
4. Cameroon

Not such an easy group for the host with promising teams like Croatia and Mexico. Cameroon can also pull through as African teams are always tough to beat. 

Players to follow: Neymar (Brazil), Modric (Croatia), Javier Hernandez (Mexico) and Eto'o (Cameroon).  

Group B:

1. Spain
2. Netherlands
3. Chile
4. Australia

An incredible opening game in this group as both finalists of the previous edition will face each other. Spain will want to grab a fourth international title in a row, a first in football history. Netherlands will want to take their revenge from the defeat in the 2010 World Cup Final. Chile could find a way with interesting players such as Sanchez (Barcelona) and Vidal (Juventus). As for Australia, it's hard to see them win a single game -or even a single point- in this group.

Players to follow: Xavi(33) and Iniesta (29) (Spain), as the magic duo might be playing their last world cup, especially Xavi. Robben (Netherlands), Vidal (Chile), Tim Cahill (Australia).

Group C:

1. Colombia
2. Greece
3. Ivory Coast
4. Japan

Probably the most open group as all four teams look to be even. Ivory Coast might be the favorite, lead by players such as Drogba, Kalou and Gervinho. Greece, who qualified in the playoffs against Romania, is a strong team defensively, only conceding four goals in 12 games in the qualifying stage. The South American side of the group, Colombia, will be a threat offensively with Radamel Falcao, flanked by young, but promising players like Muriel (22, or Quintero (20). Finally, Japan will count on their main player, Deisuke Honda,  to get out of the group stage. 

Players to follow: Drogba (Ivory Coast), Mitroglou (Greece), Quintero (Colombia) and Honda (Japan).

Group D:

1. Uruguay
2. Costa Rica
3. England
4. Italy

An interesting group with three major teams (Uruguay, England and Italy) and a promising Costa Rican side. England won't have an easy task ahead and the rest of the competition will be shaped by the first game against Italy. Uruguay is always a difficult team to beat and this generation of players is probably the best ever for the South Americans with stars like Suarez, Cavani, Ramirez and the experienced Forlan. Italy will want to play as well as they did during the Euro 2012 and will count on their maestro Andrea Pirlo and their defensive master Buffon, who will play their last world cup. Costa Rica is a fairly unknown side, but might be able to create a few surprises.

Players to follow: Suarez (Uruguay), Rooney (England), Pirlo (Italy) and Campbell (Costa Rica)

Group E:

1. Switzerland
2. Ecuador
3. France
4. Honduras

Lucky France you might say! This group seems to be the easiest one France could have ended up with. Fairly inexperienced teams, for the exception of Switzerland which always plays great football during international competitions. However, France should not believe they are already through as history showed that easy group stages not necessarily mean qualifications. Editions of 2002 and 2010 are proofs for Les Bleus. 

Players to watch: Seferovic (Switzerland), Ribery (France), Costly (Honduras) and Valencia (Ecuador).

Group F:

1. Argentina
2. Bosnia
3. Iran
4. Nigeria

Surely Argentina should finish top of the group with Messi carrying the team or even resting for the rest of the competition. Bosnia plays his first world cup ever and will like to show the world that they did not qualify because of pure chance. Iran will play his fourth world cup in Brazil with an aging group of players (average of 28 year-old). We all know Nigeria has what it takes to pull through this one with players like Obi Mikel, Moses or Enyeama. 

Players to follow: Messi (Argentina), Pjanic (Bosnia), Enyeama (Nigeria) and Nekounam (Iran).

Group G:

1. Germany
2. Portugal
3. Ghana
4. USA 

The group of death! Hard to tell which team will finish in first place, even if Germany seems to be favorite, followed by Portugal. However, USA and Ghana are always surprising sides and could give some trouble to the two favorites. Germany and Portugal will be a massive opening game and the winner of this one will take a major option in the clutching of the first place. Germany's golden generation will want to shine in Brazil, while Cristiano Ronaldo will be, once again, the main attraction of Portugal and will want to finally win the world cup! Also, keep an eye on the Boatengs' duel (Germany-Ghana).

Players to follow: Gotze (Germany), Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal), Boateng (Ghana) and Donovan (USA).

Group H:

1. Belgium
2. Algeria
3. Russia
4. South Korea

Once again, an open group with all four teams that could manage to qualify. Favorites are Belgium with a wonderful group of players such as Hazard, Fellaini, Kompany, Benteke or Courtois. Algeria is the only team from North Africa and will want to make a good impression. Russia is always a strong side with a local league growing stronger on the European landscape with teams like Zenith and CSKA Moscow. South Korea has been struggling since their great campaign at home in 2002. They will like to get back in the top and this group is the opportunity to do so. 

Players to follow: Hazard (Belgium), Belfodil (Algeria), Akinfeev (Russia) and Lee Chung-Yong (South Korea).

The opening ceremony of the 2014 World Cup will take place in June, 12, in Sao Paulo, followed by the first game between the host, Brazil, and Croatia. 

Give your predictions!