Forget North vs South: Europe vs Rest of the World is the Premier League All-Star game we deserve

It will be a momentous day at Wembley, as Pep Guardiola lines up his European stalwarts.

No longer is the legendary coach restricted to selecting a team of Manchester City players. Now, the tiki-taka mastermind has free rein to pick the top Europeans from across the Premier League. Fantasy football brought to life!

What would a Guardiola side consisting of Virgil van Dijk, Declan Rice and, of course, superstar frontman Erling Haaland achieve?

But it would be no stroll in the park for Guardiola's preferred XI.

There is a host of magnificent talent from around the world on display in the English league, enough to make a fantastic squad.

As an American, Leeds boss Jesse Marsch knows more about All-Star matches than any of his fellow Premier League managers and would be the right man to get a team of non-Europeans in shape and ready to show that the English top-flight has been conquered by the rest of the world.

The Manchester United goalkeeper has established himself as a Premier League hero over the last decade following his arrival from Atletico Madrid.

The Spain international remains a pivotal part of the Red Devils' lineup and one of the standout shot-stoppers in the English top-flight. Seriously, this man would defend the honour of Europe to the very death using his freakish shot-stopping abilities with his legs.

So long as we can avoid corners, crosses and set-pieces, De Gea will look superhuman once again.

The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the best full-backs in the world amid his rise to stardom at Chelsea.

James is fighting for a place in the England squad for the World Cup in Qatar this year but he has immense competition in the shape of Trent Alexander-Arnold, and even Kyle Walker.

The Chelsea youth academy product has shown he is capable of defending and attacking with equal verve, providing goals and assists for the Stamford Bridge team. Right-back is a big responsibility considering the competition, but we think this is the perfect passing of the torch moment between Walker and James. Sorry, Trent.

The Portuguese centre-back has been a key figure for Manchester City since joining from Benfica in 2020.

He is a leader at the back for Pep Guardiola's team and is counted among the best in the world in his position, with Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar among those to have sung his praises.

"He's quick and strong. He has quality as well, so that makes it hard to play against him," the Brazilian has said of the Portugal international.

The Liverpool centre-back has enjoyed a steady rise to the top of the game.

From Groningen to Celtic and Southampton before his massive move to Liverpool in 2018, the Netherlands international had to take the scenic route on his way to becoming a world-class star.

He remains a lynchpin of Jurgen Klopp's team as they continue their pursuit of more Premier League and Champions League titles.

Joining forces with such a massive rival won't prove easy. But if The Rock and Mankind could do it, so can Van Dijk and Dias.

Cancelo has developed at a rapid rate under Guardiola since joining Manchester City from Juventus in 2019, becoming something of a playmaker from the flanks.

He has chipped in with 19 assists for the Premier League champions to date and offers great support as he pushes up the field.

The ex-Juve full-back has been a fantastic creator in both the Champions League and English top-flight for City and is also a lynchpin in Fernando Santos' Portugal national team. With unrelenting creativity like Cancelo's, the rest of the world are in for a serious headache. Tactical fouls galore.

The Premier League's top clubs have long been after the England international.

Rice's ability to run the West Ham midfield has caught the attention of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United over the years but the east London club have managed to keep him so far. Him being arguably the weakest of the three midfeidlers picked says it all, as he is marvellous.

The Hammers might struggle to fight off the competition next time around as the Premier League big boys will surely try their hand to land him if he continues to put in such strong displays. A man-of-the-match display in an All-Star clash would certainly bolster his chances of a big money move.

The France international remains a standout performer for Chelsea.

The 31-year-old has been with the Blues for six years and has been a star figure throughout that time, helping the club win six trophies across domestic and European competition.

Chelsea are eager to tie him down to a new contract amid fears that Premier League rivals could swoop in to steal away their midfield dynamo. If there was ever a man capable of holding off the rest of the world by himslef, it's Kante. An incredible asset.

The Belgium star has long established himself as one of the finest playmakers in the game.

He was somewhat underappreciated by fans in the star-studded Manchester City side that claimed the Premier League title last season.

De Bruyne could be on the moon without a football and he'd still somehow find a way to play a killer ball in behind a defence back down on Earth. He's that good.

With superstar finisher Erling Haaland ahead of him in attack this season, his impressive creativity and top-quality passing is sure to lead to many more assists, with the 31-year-old already boasting 126 from 315 outings for the Blues.

Put the rest of the world and the rest of the planets in our solar system in front of him and he'll still assist. Inevitable.

Sterling ditched one top Premier League team for another in the summer when he left Manchester City to join Chelsea.

The ex-Liverpool sensation is eager to show Pep Guardiola what he's missing and ensure he is in contention for a starting spot for England at the World Cup later this year by putting in some decisive displays.

He is off to a fine start for the London club, too, and is one of the top-performing wingers in the league so far this term. Consider also that he's got a relationship with his former teammates from City, and you're onto a winner. Chemistry wins.

The Norway striker is off to a flying start in the Premier League since his move from Borussia Dortmund.

He is firing in goals at a phenomenal rate at Manchester City and already looks guaranteed to finish the season as the league's top scorer.

Haaland battered in a brace in his first Champions League display for his new team, too, and will be key in their quest to reach the final and finally secure the trophy this term.

The one problem? We're convinced Haaland is a superhuman, extraterrestial being, who arrived on earth purely to score goals. But the rules are out of the window for this one, so he's allowed to play.

The 22-year-old is the English gem of the Premier League champions. Europe's young hot shot, desperate to steal the show. And boy is he capable.

He has developed into a top player under Guardiola and although he has not hit the ground running in the new season, there is no doubt about his quality and potential.

The dynamic Three Lions international has an excellent work rate and will soon be back in top form. Equip him with a fresh, bleached skin fade and a football pitch, and he'll deliver the goods for Europe.

He has already conquered Europe throughout his coaching career, now it's time to take on the rest of the world.

If anyone can take a look at the top European stars in the league and get them playing the right way, it's the Manchester City boss. And he'll look smart while doing it, crucially.

Give Guardiola a team of stars, a pen and paper for notes, and that questionable knitted cardigan - you know the one - and it could well be over befrore it even starts. Football heritage, right there.

The Brazilian has been a pivotal part of Liverpool's rise to Premier League and Champions League winners under Jurgen Klopp.

Alisson, 29, has made almost 200 appearances for the Reds since his 2018 switch from Roma and shared the Golden Glove with compatriot Ederson last season after the intense race to the Premier League title.

He is out to show he is the division's undisputed top goalkeeper this term as the Reds look to reclaim the crown. Ederson has had to sit this one out and rightly so. Peak De Gea vs peak Alisson would be a battle for the ages; saved records smashed. Forget football - get it on WrestleMania.

The Arsenal full-back has flourished since joining from Bologna last year.

The Japan international had to be eased back into the team after suffering a calf injury towards the end of his debut campaign in the English top-flight. But his performances have not let up as his smooth transition to life in the Premier League continues.

Ben White seemed to take his starting position at the start of the new season, but coach Mikel Arteta has a lot of faith in Tomiyasu and he will still have designs on becoming the Gunners' undisputed first-choice right-back.

The Argentine defender showed during his time at Atalanta that he had the makings of a top quality centre-back.

He has kicked on since he was snapped up by Tottenham and become a proper game-changer for the London club. Agressive, ferocious and full of passion, he's breathed new life into Spurs under Antonio Conte - a serial winner.

Take those qualities and the learnings from Conte and stick Romero next to some of the greatest defenders around, and you're onto winner. This man would die for the bragging rights.

The veteran defender has seen and done it all.

Silva has dominated Serie A with AC Milan and Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain and his time at Chelsea has proved that he is far from finished. He lifted the Champions League trophy for the first time in his debut year with the Blues and went on to claim the Club World Cup under Thomas Tuchel.

He is still a vital part of the Chelsea defence, too. It's like whacking the WWE title on John Cena when times are tough; is it sustainable in the long-term? Probably not. But does he deliver? Better than anyone else in the business. Silva has seen it all and won the lot. You can't buy that kind of experience.

The Argentine was dismissed as too small for a defender in the Premier League when he was snapped up by Manchester United.

But that has since been proven to be a big load of rubbish. He wins headers, he plays passes, and he never shirks a tackle. Seriously, what more could you want from a centre-back?

The ex-Ajax star can perform at centre-back and full-back, has already proven he has Haaland's number on Champions League nights in the past, and would have no problem keeping Sterling and Foden at bay. A true workhorse.

The Brazil international was a marquee signing for Manchester United in the summer transfer window, and takes on a marquee role again here.

The Red Devils needed a combative figure to slot into the middle of the park to provide some real strength.

He is yet to make his first Premier League start for the Old Trafford club, making for a slow start to life with his new side but the former Real Madrid star definitely has the quality to shine in England. He looks like the poster boy, too; only his tackles are as clean as his haircuts. Shrewd pick.

Sitting beside his Brazilian counterpart, deploying Fabinho next to Casemiro feels a little negative. However, there can be no concerns regarding the steel of this midfield, nor its qualifications The Attitude Era revived.

The 28-year-old has excelled at centre-back when called upon to fill in amid the Reds' regular injury crises, but it is in midfield that he is most comfortable. Versatile, vastly experienced, a winner and no-nonsense. He's the man.

Declan Rice won't know what's hit him when he's trying to slalom past a freshly motivated Fabinho, fighting for the rest of the world's bragging rights. Good luck, Declan.

The Uruguayan midfielder has looked superb since joining Tottenham from Juventus in January.

Bentancur, 25, has quickly become a fan favourite at the north London side with his silky displays.

Every top team needs a ratter. And while Bentancur has added an extra dimension to Spurs' midfield, he's at his best when leaning into the dark arts of the game.

Give Bentancur the licence to do the dirty work in an otherwise polished and ultimately very babyface ROW XI and they'll reap the rewards. The best good guys need to go rogue once in a while.

The Egypt icon will go down as one of the finest ever to have graced the Premier League, and will be expected to carry the rest of the world here, like he does everybody's Fantasy Premier League teams.

He has been a sensation for Liverpool, powering them to the English and European titles and ensuring they remain one of the world's top teams.

Salah is a consistent scorer and a constant creator for the Reds, making him an all-round maverick for the Anfield team. Lure him away from the pressure of Jurgen Klopp's pressing instructions, surround him with non-European comrades and let him loose on the opposition. Cancelo's got no chance.

The Brazilian's talent has never been in doubt. And now free from the shackles of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, that south American flair is shining through in his play.

He impressed at City with his goals and assists but was unable to make the number nine position his own and the arrival of Erling Haaland made it impossible. Time for revenge, Gabriel. Time to break some European ankles and send some defenders packing into the depths of hell.

Hell in this case being the chaos of Europe's biggest budget supermarkets.

South Korea star Son is almost unanimously adored by football fans.

The selfless and energetic attacker has developed a magnificent partnership with Tottenham co-star Harry Kane.

He shared the Premier League Golden Boot award with Salah last season having scored 23 times in 35 matches over the course of a spectacular individual campaign. There are few who have the quality to consistently bag against Europe's top defenders, but Son has proven he has it in abundance.

Loves scoring against City, and is the Premier League's golden boy. A Europe vs ROW clash would really test that charm and ability, mind you, but surely he's got it in him to thrive.

The Leeds manager knows what is required when it comes to an all star match.

After all, he will have seen his fair share of the NBA and NFL editions of the headline clashes.

The American manager is off to a good start at Leeds, having kept them up and maintained a stable start to the new season. Who better than him - Boehly's American ally - to lead the rest of the world into a true, All-Star clash for the ages?

Is he the Hulk Hogan of the Premier League? Not yet. We're thinking more Jack Swagger right now. But give him time - and the pick of the bunch in non-European footballing stars - and he'll be on a surging run to world domination in no time.

A clash between the top European players against the stars from the rest of the world would surely be a close and thrilling encounter.

But who would emerge with the victory and bragging rights?

Make your case in the comments and let us know who you would pick for a proper Premier League showdown between Europe and the rest of the world!