ISP Special: Top 20 teams of the Season(18-20)

20. Marseille
Starting with rejuvenated Marseille, Mandanda is a match winner for the French team. The question is how long will they be able to keep him? But as long as he is there, Marseille can count on a solid goalkeeper. In defense they have Hilton and Rodriguez, both 31 years old. Hilton had a good year in Marseille, but both of these players are at their best and have no potential to become a top player at the highest level. Diawara has signed for the club and will challenge for a spot in the defensive back. Fomen is a young inexperienced 20 years old player from Cameroon, not much is known about this boy.

As defensive backs, they have good players like Taiwo and Heinze who have returned to France. It is expected that Bocaly will get himself into first team this season. The midfield looks very exciting; Ben Arfra has one more year of experience and there have been some exciting new players; Rool is known for his tough games and is another new player at the club. If Deschamps manages to keep his head cool, Rool can be a gold purchase for Didier. Cisse is also brought back to France; Cisse is a player with great experience and has played in Europe for several clubs, but the question is whether he can fill the void left by Cana. Cheryou fill the midfield very well, he is in his prime and is a solid player, but the biggest profile in midfield must be Gonzales, a player with few weaknesses. There is still a mystery why he went to France. At the age of 28, it was almost the last chance for the Argentine midfielder to play in a competitive European league. Ben Arfa will take care of the left side of midfield; little suggests that this great talent will not have a good season. Much of the Offensive creativity rests on the shoulders of Ben Arfa,but it is no secret that Ben Arfa has big attitude issues that always create controversy for him and for  the club. Another players who will fight for a place in the team is the defensive Mbia; there are great expectations for this player ahead of the season. With defensive qualities and very good positioning capability, Mbia will be an important player this season. On the other hand, with so much quality Valbuena will be relegated to the bench with marginal playing time. Upfront Morientes at the age of 33 comes back to France. For Morientes to score more goals than his previous spell at France is not very likely.

The goals must come from none other than Niang. Niang has recently had a lot of ups and downs, but if he scores regularly this season Marseille will be a top challenger for the title. Brandão had a good start to the season last season, but the question is whether he can continue his scoring touch. However, with intense competition for playing time, I don't think he will be given a fair chance. Kone has been tipped to make it big upfront with Niang, and certainly a good season for the strikers will lead Marseille far up in the standing. The question is whether one can find the right style with these players, and moreover how many of these players will be here by next summer?

Profile: Gonzales
Either fly or never take off: Kone

19. Benfica
Quietly Benfica has built a strong team this season. We find a squad with mixture of  experienced and young and talented players. This team has full opportunity to be a team that dominate the Portuguese League this season and if it can build on their confidence they can also achieve something big outside Portugal. Two of the three goalkeepers have a national team experience; Julio Cesar will likely to bench Moreira and Quim to become the first goalkeeper in Benfica this season.

The defence consist of profiles like Luisao, Sidnei, David Luiz and Pereira. Sidnei is one of the biggest talents in Europe. David Luiz is struggling to live up to expectations, but Sidnei has taken Benfica by storm. Benfica’s midfield is good, but not on at the same level as Sporting's midfield. A player such as Di Maria is now 21 years and is in his third seasons at Benfica; He has been very good, but to date he has not stepped up to become an established star in the Portuguese League. For him though this season could be the one to do so. In addition, Benfica hope Aimar takes up the old form from his time in Valencia. If Aimar is in top form, Benfica will benefit from one of the world's best playmakers in their team.

They also have great talent Urretavizcaya, pass master Martins, defensive young boy from Real Madrid Garcia, injury-prone Peixoto, young talent Felipe and Ramira, who is about to break into the Brazil starting 11 ahead of the World Cup Finals. However, Benfica’s bench for holding midfielders are week.

Upfront Benfica have goalscoring machine Cordoza whom last year scored 17 goals. Saviola is also hoping to find his "old Saviola form”. Otherwise there is also Nuno Gomes in the team and ready to take up the scoring chances. Keirrison is also brought into the team; It is not clear what his role will be and how much playing time he gets as competition is intense for starting 11.

Profile: Cordoza
Will either fly or never take off: Saviola

18. Roma
Roma seemed to focus on a number of young and unknown players this season. Despite financial struggles, they have a good combination of some inexperienced players and stars. In last minute of transfer season, LobonÅ£ was brought in. Otherwise, there are good goalkeepers such as: Doni who is one of Serie-A's best goalkeepers and his reserves is none other than Artur and Julio Sergio. The defence is good but there is not enough depth nor good subs. Mexès and Juan complement each other very well. Both are also good with the ball. Burdisso is brought in on loan and can be used across the defence line. Cicinho has disappointed in his time in Rome and we will not see him as much on the pitch this season. But certainly we will see fierce competition between Cassetti and Motta for place on the right side.

On the left, it seems that Rise will keep his spot. In midfielder Aquilani went to Liverpool. The loss was difficult for Roma and replacing such a player is surely not easy,but Pizarro is player with the right skills to step in and take somewhat more responsibility. Pizarro will probably fill in the empty space; this will also create more room for Lippi's old favorite Brighi to show himself, who lately found his way back to the national team. Roma  still has one of the best central midfields in the world, but lacks good wings or a coach who can get more out of diamond formation. Players like De Rossi, Faty, Baptista and not least Perotta can all play center. Hard work and quality passing can be found in every touch of these players. Taddaei fits perfectly in a diamond formation and is a very good wing also. Guberti is also brought in, he is a winger who can also play in the middle if needed.

The players in Roma are flexible, but the role distribution is somewhat unclear. Upfront its the same case; Many good individual players but the roles are somewhat blurred. Totti continues to possess a very high level of efficiency. Menezes seems to develop, and he is stepping up to become an important player in the club this season. Menezes can play both on flank or as a striker; with his vast technical skills with the ball a position as winger suits him best. Otherwise, players like Vucinic is a great player with a lot potential, but have yet managed to repeat his old scoring touch. In addition, Rome brought back Okaka, Cerci and Epositio but they are not anticipated to be given much playing time.

Profile: Totti
Either fly or never take off: Menez


Other teams assessment to be followed.