CASTROL EDGE RANKINGS ANALYSIS

Castrol has applied the same expertise they apply to the development of their oils to create the Castrol Rankings – using objective analysis and highly advanced technology to measure every pass, every tackle and every single move of over 2,000 players and games from Europe’s top 5 leagues over the last 12 months.

Castrol Performance Analysis also underpins the Castrol Predictor which has identified Brazil, Spain and England as the teams most likely to triumph in South Africa this summer.

The strength of Spain and England’s forward options is illustrated by the presence of Fernando Torres (3) and Wayne Rooney (9) in the top ten, but Brazil’s main attacking players are missing from the leading group.

Yet while his country’s top players are currently overshadowed, the rapid ascent of Ronaldinho from 712 to 396 shows why the former Barcelona star is pressing for an international recall and could yet exert a major influence on the tournament.

Castrol Ambassador and 1998 FIFA World Cup™ winner Marcel Desailly said: “Tournament success comes down to having your best players in their best form at exactly the right time. Every successful team needs a match-winner and Torres and Rooney are clearly vital to their countries’ hopes of doing well in South Africa. If they stay fit and in form, then Spain and England will both be strong contenders.

“Brazil have traditionally had a number of star players in their side who can change a game, and Ronaldinho has shown he can do it at the highest level. If he can get near to the form he produced when he was at his peak four or five years ago, then he can again produce the moment of magic that can swing a game his side’s way. He isn’t getting any younger, but his performances for AC Milan won’t have gone unnoticed by coach Dunga.”

Interestingly, there is only one forward, Sevilla’s Luis Fabiano (39, down from 19), among the top 17 ranked Brazil players who are headed by Barcelona full back Daniel Alves (9).

With few of his international colleagues shining this season, Ronaldinho appears to have responded positively to being left out of the national squad last year, scoring six goals in five games in January and completing the most passes in the final third (112).

The player was not included in Dunga’s initial squad to face Republic of Ireland in a friendly at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium on 2nd March, but if he maintains his current run of form, it will be difficult for Dunga to overlook the forward.

Real Madrid playmaker Kaka is currently ranked 118, and with Robinho, another of Ronaldinho’s rivals for the slots behind Luis Fabiano, now attempting to get his season back on track back home with Santos following his loan move from Manchester City, the door could open for the 2002 FIFA World Cup™ winner.

Torres (3) is joined by Gerard Pique (5) and David Villa (6), ensuring Spain have three representatives in the top 10, more than any other country.
The UEFA EURO 2008™ winners have been consistently impressive over the last two years and their strength in depth is reflected in the fact nine Spanish players feature in the top 50, including midfield duo Cesc Fabregas (29, up from 31) and Xavi (33, up from 35).

Moving rapidly up the rankings is Valencia midfielder David Silva who has risen from 70 to 39 after scoring twice and providing two assists in four games last month. Daniel Aranzubia, the Deportivo La Coruna goalkeeper, is the biggest Spanish riser in the top 100, moving up 51 places to 45. The keeper has made the most saves in La Liga this season (77), and is making a strong case to add to his one international appearance.

Rooney leads the way for England after rising 16 places on the back of an outstanding January when he struck six goals in four league games. The United forward has scored 25 Premier League goals over the last 12 months, more than any other player.

Rooney is joined in the top 20 by Tottenham’s in-form striker Jermain Defoe (18, up from 21) and Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard(20, up from 29) who has created more goalscoring chances (80) than any other player this season.

The goalkeeping position has caused problems for England coach Fabio Capello, but the Castrol Rankings show Joe Hart has a strong case to lay claim to the job with the Birmingham City goalkeeper ranked 42, ahead of main rivals Robert Green (197) and David James (287).