FifPro XI: 11 Players Who Statistically Should Have Been In

8. Javier Mascherano - FC Barcelona

Position: Centre-Back Age: 29 Market Value: £13 million Previous Clubs: River Plate, Corinthians, West Ham United, Liverpool Now you might think this a controversial addition to the Stats XI, but the Argentinian midfield-convert has one of the best per-game records in the world (hence his inclusion in the squad). Making an average of 3.9 tackles per game and recording an interception rate of 3 a game - the 29 year old dispatches an average of just less than seven attacks a match, and being at Barcelona must surely then begin at least seven attacks a match. Having signed for the club from Liverpool in 2010 for £17.25 million, Javier Mascherano has been converted by successive Barcelona managers from a defensive midfielder into a more than capable defender. Affectionately referred to by some fans as 'Smash', he is currently the Argentina player that has totted up the most appearances for the National side on 95, scoring 2 goals in 2007 - against Paraguay and Peru. However, Mascherano is yet to score for Barcelona, with his last goal coming against Unirea Urziceni for Liverpool in the Europe League of the 2009/10 season. After signing a contract extension in July 2012 that keeps him at the Catalan Giants until 2016, Mascherano's buy-out clause was set at a staggering £100 million - so bad news if you want him at your club.