The World Cup is just days away and world-class footballers are dropping like flies in some rather unfriendly warm-up matches. The 2010 tournament will be strangely devoid of some of soccer’s more familiar faces.
We take a look at the key absentees and assess which teams will suffer most from their losses.
Michael Essien, Ghana
Michael Essien has been struggling with injury for months and is yet another Chelsea player who will miss the World Cup. Undoubtedly Ghana’s most influential player, Essien plays in a more attacking role for his country and his creativity and robust tackling will leave a hole in the Ghanaian team that cannot be replaced.
Ghana faces Australia, Serbia and Germany in Group D and, without Essien, it may not be the tournament’s dark horse most predicted it would be.
Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast
Drogba may still find a way to patch up that fractured elbow later in the tournament, but should he fail to do so, he will easily the biggest loss to any team in the finals. Drogba is a world-class finisher and was the Ivory Coast’s ticket to getting out of Group F. You won’t be able to wipe the grin off the faces of the Portuguese and Brazilians if Drogba doesn’t make it.
Ivory Coast will need major production from forwards Salomon Kalou and Gervinho in Drogba’s absence if the team wants to have any chance to the knockout stage.
Andrea Pirlo, Italy
Pirlo was integral to Italy’s World Cup winning campaign in 2006. The classy playmaker is a huge loss to the central midfield where he provides the likes of Di Natale and Gilardino with the service on which they thrive. Without Pirlo cementing the team together, Italy’s ageing cast may look a little lost in South Africa.
The Azzurri midfield attack will now be in the hands of Daniele de Rossi, a player more known for his strength than his world-class skills. Look for Riccardo Montolivo to get extra time on the pitch whenever the Italians are lacking push from their midfielders.
Michael Ballack, Germany
Ballack's World Cup trip was canceled over a month ago because of injury but his importance to his team makes him a worthy candidate for this list. Ballack is integral to German football and, at 33, Germany’s captain will miss out on what would have surely been his last World Cup.
Ballack has endured his fair share of bad luck throughout his career, missing out on the 2002 World Cup final because of a suspension. In the same year he was also a runner-up in the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League with Bayer Leverkusen. In 2008, he was part of the Chelsea side that was a runner-up in the League Cup, Premier League and the Champions League, before captaining Germany to a 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2008 final.
To add insult to injury, he was put out of the 2010 World Cup by a late tackle from Kevin Prince-Boateng, the German-born midfielder of Group D rivals Ghana. The Germans will be significantly weaker without their star man.
Rio Ferdinand, England
The curse of the England captain strikes again! Ferdinand follows in the footsteps of David Beckham, Bryan Robson and Kevin Keegan in suffering injury during or before the finals. Even skipper Bobby Moore was arrested in Colombia before the Mexico tournament in 1970, after being falsely accused of stealing a bracelet in Bogota airport (for the record, he was set up). Although Ferdinand’s injury is a personal nightmare for the defender, his absence isn’t as devastating as the loss of Rooney, Cole or Lampard would have been.
Tottenham’s Ledley King should fit in seamlessly as John Terry’s new defensive partner.
John Obi Mikel, Nigeria
Mikel’s absence is a similar blow to Nigeria as his Chelsea teammate Essien’s is to Ghana. In losing Mikel, Nigeria has had the heart ripped out of its side. Nigeria faces Argentina, Greece and South Korea – none of which are easy opponents – and without Mikel, Nigeria has its work cut out for it to reach the Round of 16.
Arjen Robben, Netherlands
Robben’s prognosis is the most optimistic of this group. He injured his hamstring in a 6-1 friendly win over Hungry last weekend. Netherlands coach Bert van Marijk hasn’t replaced Robben in the lineup despite the uncertainty of his return.
Robben is a wing player with incredible talents but unlike Drogba's situation, Holland boasts a number of quality players. Robben’s injury actually might make his manager's job a bit easier. No Robben means more minutes for Rafael Van de Vaart, who has been in top form over the last few months.
But should Holland win its group and meet tougher opposition such as England or Germany, Robben’s absence may be felt.