The Fantasy Football Club: Ronald De Boer picks his #One2Eleven

Ronald de Boer picks the best 11 players he has played alongside in his #One2Eleven...

The Holland international, who had spells with Ajax, Barcelona and Rangers, admits it was tough to leave out the likes of Jaap Stam, Xavi and Marc Overmars, but found room for twin brother Frank...

GOALKEEPER : Edwin van der Sar

I remember one thing Louis van Gaal always said. Don’t tackle anyone who goes one-on-one with the goalkeeper because we still have Edwin. If you make a poor tackle you can get a red card and have to play with 10 men or give away a penalty but we always had Edwin. For me he is one of the best goalkeepers I have ever played with.

RIGHT-BACK: Carles Puyol

Great central defenders always start as a right full-back and during my time at Barcelona Puyol had just started at right full-back. He was young but he was already a beast. He was so involved in the game. If you thought you were past him he’d come back and for me he is the example of a true professional and a true defender.

CENTRE-BACK: Ronald Koeman

There are not too many people on this earth who have a pass like Koeman. He could put the ball, as we say in Dutch, on your tie from every distance and of course his famous free-kick for Barcelona against Sampdoria at Wembley. For me he was a great attacking defender.

CENTRE-BACK: Frank Rijkaard

He was such a down to earth guy. Although he had already won three Champions League titles he was always so relaxed. He always had a smile on his face but at game time, when it really mattered, he was so focused and he could be everything. He could be mean, he could be skilful he could be everything. He was so strong and after winning the Champions League with him, that’s why I picked him.

LEFT-BACK: Frank de Boer

I cannot leave him out of this team because he is my brother. He was an amazing player because he was not the fastest, he was not the biggest but he was so intelligent as a defender. Also, his distribution on the ball was amazing. He’s still the record holder for the most outfield appearances for the Dutch national side, we don’t count Edwin van der Saar because goalies can go on for ages. For me he is one of the best defenders I’ve ever played with. 

MIDFIELD: Dennis Bergkamp

I played with Dennis at youth level and he wasn’t the most talented player but Johan Cruyff saw something in him that I didn’t see. But Johan had a good eye on him because he developed every year again and again and again. His scoring ability and the awareness of where defenders are were brilliant. He scored some cracking goals and is my right midfielder.

MIDFIELD: Pep Guardiola

He is the Einstein of the team. Pep wasn’t the greatest defender but like my brother his intelligence was unbelievable. His was amazing. He could delay a pass under intense pressure and he knew exactly when to play a pass. He knew if he delayed for just one second the player who received the pass would be completely free. He had eyes everywhere.  I could have put Xavi there but towards the end of his career he learnt so much from Pep, that’s why I’ve chosen him. 

MIDFIELD: Phillip Cocu

Cocu was an under-estimated player. Maybe people don’t realise just how good he was. What Phillip did was attack well but also defending. He gave assists, helped other players out and play anywhere. He was so multi-functional and one of the best players I ever played with.

FORWARD: Luis Figo

Without doubt Luis Figo goes into my side. Figo was a right winger who’d take people on and put in a cross but he could also score goals. He was a bit like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They always want to play and they are never injured. It was a pleasure to play behind him.

FORWARD: Marco van Basten

His technical skill was amazing. He was fast and he could head the ball. He was another player who could do everything. I don’t think there are many strikers, even now, who played at his level. It’s a shame we couldn’t enjoy him a little bit more because 28 is way too young to retire.

FORWARD: Rivaldo

Marc Overmars could go in for being one of the most dangerous left wingers I played with but I’m going for another player who won the Ballon d’Or – Rivaldo. He was a strange character because he was quiet person. He wasn’t very social but when he was on the pitch he made a transformation. From out of nothing he could score incredible goals and his inclusion is why I picked Cocu in my side. Without Cocu, Rivaldo couldn’t play that well.