World Cup Debate: Which Of The Contenders Are In The Safest Hands?

While much of the cynosure ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup concerns the race for the Golden Shoe, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Didier Drogba and David Villa all battling for individual honours, it is only natural that the least glamourous position on the field, that of the goalkeeper, is relegated to a footnote.

However, throughout the history of the tournament, successful sides were rarely without a solid last line of defence. In 2006, for instance, Gianluigi Buffon conceded only twice as Italy claimed the crown in Germany. To build a FIFA World Cup winning unit, it is essential to have a dependable figure in goal.

So, Goal.com, with the aid of Castrol Rankings, examines the credentials of the netminders for each of the favourite teams among the groups, A-H.

Group A - France

Arguably the favourites in the group, although South Africa are the top seeds, Les Bleus boast some of the best goalkeeping talent at the 2010 tournament. The first choice glovesman is Hugo Lloris, the Olympique Lyonnais player, and his performances for club and country over the past few months have been notable to say the least. His stand-out showings in the two legged play-off against Ireland in November went a long way towards ensuring the French passage to the final tournament. He is currently 54 in the Castrol Rankings, perhaps indicating that his club side's defensive form has not been all it could be this season. Among those clamouring to be his deputies are Cedric Carrasso (36) of Bordeaux and Steve Mandanda (599) of Marseille. The form of Monaco's Stephane Ruffier (50) also makes him an outside shot.

Group B - Argentina

While AZ's Sergio Romero seems to have finally convinced Diego Maradona of his abilities, there is no second guessing what el Dieguito might do ahead of the FIFA showpiece. Therefore, Mariano Andujar, the Catania shot-stopper, may still usurp the long-haired keeper. Andujar is certain to be on the plane to South Africa but may not command a starting berth. Nonetheless, his five clean sheets for the Sicilians since the turn of the year have helped him catapult up the Castrol Rankings by more than 700 places. Andujar is currently at 448 in the list.

Current Argentine shot-stopper of choice, Sergio Romero

Group C - England

The Fabio Capello-coached side have selection conundrums all over the field but it is the dilemma over who keeps goal at South Africa 2010 which is currently unsettling English observers most. Robert Green (197) of West Ham United and David James of FA Cup semi-finalists Portsmouth (287) seem to be battling for the number one shirt, while Capello remains dubious of the credentials of Birmingham's clean-sheet specialist, Joe Hart. The on-loan Manchester City keeper is England's top ranked player in his position at a lofty 42 in the Castrol Rankings. Wigan's Chris Kirkland (267) is another contender but an injury blighted season may ultimately count him out.

Group D - Germany

Rene Adler was thought to be in command of the starting shirt in Joachim Loew's Germany team, but his far from convincing performance against Argentina last week may have planted seeds of doubt in the Bundestrainer's mind. Bayer Leverkusen, Adler's club side, have begun to stutter too, so the man who weighs in at 438 in the Castrol Rankings may yet be replaced. Dependable veteran Hans-Joerg Butt of Bayern Munich is a few places behind at 477 whilst Werder Bremen's Tim Wiese is further back at 485. The Nationalmannschaft's safest bet may be Manuel Neuer of Schalke, who, thanks to his club's gritty and workmanlike form, finds himself challenging for a Bundesliga title. His displays have earned him 166th place in the latest rankings. Roman Weidenfaller of Borussia Dortmund, ranked at 241, is unlikely to be considered.

German contender Manuel Neuer

Group E - Netherlands

Going forward, there are few teams who would have the measure of the Oranje. However, in the backline and in goal is where Bert van Marwijk's side struggle for dominace. The likes of Maarten Stekelenburg, Michel Worm and Piet Velthuizen lack the commanding presence of Edwin van der Sar, who insists he will not be tempted, again, out of international retirement. The Manchester United stopper is still ranked just outside the top 10 of the Castrol Rankings, at 13 with 812 points.

Group F - Italy

Curiously, Gianluigi Buffon is routinely quoted as the outstanding goalkeeper in the world, but on current form, the Juventus custodian is well down the Italian order of shot stoppers. Leading the way is Morgan De Sanctis of Napoli at 101, up 700 places from the last count, while Sampdoria's Luca Castellazzi is one behind at 102. Coming in ahead of Buffon, who, due to Juve's patchy Serie A form is down to 311, are Bologna's Emiliano Viviano (161), Genoa's Marco Amelia (170), Stefano Sorrentino of Chievo at 202, Cagliari's Federico Marchetti (229), Andrea Consigli of Atalanta at 267 and Parma's Antonio Mirante at 307. Palermo's Salvatore Sirigu is doing well at 401, a 600-place improvement on his last ranking.

Group G - Brazil

Julio Cesar of Inter benefits from playing behind one of the tightest defences around at club level, and, thanks to Dunga's relatively cautious approach, at international level too. However, the former Flamengo player has proven time and again his point-saving and match-winning credentials. Currently 55th in the Castrol Rankings, the 30-year-old does not face the stiffest of competition for the gloves in the Selecao set-up. Gaffe-prone Dida is 79th, though he has not played for Brazil in four years. Elsewhere, Tottenham's Huerelho Gomes, a squad member, is at 127.

Group H - Spain

The Spanish have some of the world's foremost goalkeeping talent, including their captain and talisman, Iker Casillas. The Real Madrid stopper checks in at 89 in the rankings, perhaps surprisingly not heading the Iberian list of contenders. Diego Aranzubia of Deportivo heads the standings at 45 with the likes of Pepe Reina (103) and Sergio Asenjo (132) competing for squad berths. However, playing at Real Madrid means that clean sheets do not come easily every week; despite shipping goals, Casillas has reason to believe that he is one of the globe's best.

Spain skipper Iker Casillas