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Former Liverpool and Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani picks his #One2Eleven

Alberto Aquilani names former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in his #One2Eleven for The Fantasy Football Club
Image: Alberto Aquilani names former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in his #One2Eleven for The Fantasy Football Club

Former Liverpool and Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani has named an incredible #One2Eleven for The Fantasy Football Club.

The 32-year-old, currently on loan at Serie A outfit Sassuolo from Pescara, represented his country 38 times between 2006 and 2014.

Aquilani has also played for Roma, Juventus and AC Milan during his time in Italy, and his #One2Eleven of players he has appeared alongside during his career would certainly take some beating...

Aquilani

GOALKEEPER: Gianluigi Buffon

Choosing the goalkeeper is quite easy since I played with the best 'keeper in football history.

Of recent football history at least, it's Buffon. That's the reason I must put him in goal. He is a wonderful person, an undisputed leader on and off the pitch.

I have been lucky to play with him at Juventus and with the national team. A true captain, a great man.

Gianluigi Buffon of Juventus celebrates victory over Crotone
Image: Gianluigi Buffon has represented Italy 167 times

DEFENDER: Glen Johnson

In defence I am going to put a friend, a player who played for Liverpool, so I want to choose Johnson. When I played with him, he was at the top of his game.

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He was a player who knew very well how to attack and could defend well too. But above all he is a wonderful guy so I choose him.

Liverpool's Glen Johnson during the Barclays Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool
Image: Former Liverpool right-back Glen Jonhson makes Aquilani's #One2Eleven

DEFENDER: Alessandro Nesta

I played with Nesta at AC Milan and he was in his last years there, maybe even his last year. But he is an unbelievable defender so I think that one of the two places has to go to him.

I've always admired him, he was a complete player.

DEFENDER: Thiago Silva

In the same year as Nesta, I played alongside Thiago Silva. But I am a bit indecisive because I also played with Fabio Cannavaro. And Fabio is a player who can't be left out of this team.

But it's also true that I only played a few times with him in the national team, so for that reason I pick Thiago Silva. He's an unbelievable player with great strength, technique and good timing.

He is a really strong defender. When I played with him he was young and was the best - really strong.

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DEFENDER: Giorgio Chiellini

I will put Chiellini in this team, but I should pick him as a centre-back really as he is not a left-back. So I guess I should say Gianluca Zambrotta, but it would sadden me not to choose a friend like Chiellini.

I played with him in all the national youth teams so that's another reason I would like to pick him.

Aquilani (Top L) picked former Italy team-mates Chiellini (2nd Top L), Buffon (Top R) and Pirlo (2nd Bottom R) in his #One2Eleven
Image: Aquilani (Top L) picked former Italy team-mates Chiellini (2nd Top L), Buffon (Top R) and Pirlo (2nd Bottom R) in his #One2Eleven

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD: Andrea Pirlo

The player I put in front of the defence as a playmaker is Pirlo. I think he is a player who improves other players because he is so good that he makes anyone else play better.

Andrea is also a very funny guy, he makes you laugh. He likes being part of the group and even if sometimes he looks a bit moody, he really isn't.

MIDFIELD: Steven Gerrard

Without any doubt I have to pick Gerrard. I chose to go and play for Liverpool because I was going to play with one of my idols.

I have been lucky enough to play with him and I saw the player I was expecting to find - physically strong, with good technique, a leader, able to shoot, able to defend, a complete player.

When I was there I tried to learn from him. I'm sorry that I didn't stay longer but there's no doubt that he is a player that I put in my strongest XI.

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MIDFIELD: Clarence Seedorf

Another player who was very strong in the middle of the pitch and with whom I had the pleasure of playing with is Seedorf.

He had unbelievable charisma and personality. Yes he was technically skilled and physically strong, but he had superior mental strength.

AC Milan's Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf celebrates after scoring during the Serie A football match between AC Milan and Cesena at the San Siro Stadium
Image: Clarence Seedorf is the only player to win the Champions League with three different sides - Ajax, Real Madrid and AC Milan

ATTACKING MIDFIELD: Francesco Totti

If I was in doubt with regard to defence and midfield, I am in even more doubt for the attack because I played with some really extraordinary players.

I must include Totti. When I was a kid and I was thinking about a football player I would think about Totti, and I have been lucky enough to play with him.

He was an idol, an inspiration for me. Something that went beyond the simple argument of being a good footballer or not.

STRIKER: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic because he is maybe the strongest player of all. He is a player who could win you a match at any time.

A champion with a capital C.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic played alongside Alberto Aquilani at AC Milan in the 2011-12 season
Image: Zlatan Ibrahimovic played alongside Alberto Aquilani at AC Milan in the 2011-12 season

STRIKER: Fernando Torres

I played with Fernando Torres at Liverpool when I think he was at the peak of his form. He was scoring, defending, attacking the space with unbelievable speed.

On top of that he is a fantastic guy, who helped me during my time in England.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 28:  Fernando Torres of Liverpool celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool
Image: Fernando Torres scored 81 goals in 142 games for Liverpool

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