:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/44247410/457959666.0.jpg)
Upon further review, Juventus certainly does have good players on its squad.
Following GIanluigi Buffon being shortlisted again for the FIFPro World XI, Juventus can say three of their four dynamic central midfielders have been nominated for the squad which is voted on by the players themselves. Fifteen players were put on the shortlist, and three of those wear bianconero — Arturo Vidal, Paul Pogba and Andrea Pirlo.
Congratulazioni @Pirlo_Official, @PaulPogba, @Kingarturo23 with your nomination for the @FIFAcom @FIFPro #WorldXI! pic.twitter.com/LyQgihYPw7
— FIFPro (@FIFPro) November 28, 2014
The full list of the 15 midfielders nominated, courtesy of FIFA.com:
Xabi Alonso (Spain / FC Bayern München); Angel Di Maria (Argentina / Manchester United FC); Cesc Fabregas (Spain / Chelsea FC); Eden Hazard (Belgium / Chelsea FC); Xavi Hernandez (Spain / FC Barcelona); Andres Iniesta (Spain / FC Barcelona); Toni Kroos (Germany / Real Madrid CF); Luka Modric (Croatia / Real Madrid CF); Mesut Oezil (Germany / Arsenal FC); Andrea Pirlo (Italy / Juventus FC); Paul Pogba (France / Juventus FC); James Rodriguez (Colombia / Real Madrid CF); Bastian Schweinsteiger (Germany / FC Bayern München); Yaya Toure (Côte d'Ivoire / Manchester City FC); Arturo Vidal (Chile / Juventus FC).
That's a lot of Bayern Munich. A lot of Real Madrid and Barcelona. A couple of Chelsea players in there, too. But you know what? That's a lot of Juventus. As there should be, too.
We know why all three of the Juventus center midfielders are there. Pogba, Pirlo and Vidal were all standouts during another Scudetto-winning season in Turin under Antonio Conte a year ago. It's especially true for Pogba, who has been nominated for just about every single award he's eligible for these days. First the Ballon d'Or, now the FIFPro World XI. And the way he's going, it's only a matter of time before he is taking the spot of one of the other incredibly-talented midfielders who are on the list.
Let's just throw out Vidal's poor form to begin this season for a second. His numbers from a year ago were just insane: 45 games played, 18 goals scored and five assists. That's the best season from a midfielder in a Juventus jersey we've seen in a good amount of time. Because of it, some feel that Vidal is the best box-to-box midfielder going these days.
And Pirlo? Well, he's just Andrea Pirlo. You don't need much more than that. Right, guys?
The list of strikers eligible for the FIFPro recognition will be announced on Monday. Can anybody say "Carlos Tévez nomination"?
