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Ryder Cup footballer XI: Which players would make the team?

Ryder Cup football

Which footballers would make it into a Ryder Cup XI?

The Ryder Cup gets underway this Friday, live on Sky Sports, as Europe face America in the biennial tournament at Hazeltine.

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While football has no equivalent, there are several players who could find their way into a golf-themed team. Read on for the starting XI...

Ryder Cup football team

Manager

Bill Shank-ly

A major success with Liverpool, the manager would make sure his side are up to scratch and on course for victory.

Goalkeeper

Rob Green-in-regulation

A former England No 1, he would be charged with saving shots and keeping the score low. He has, however, been known to hand the opposition a gimmie every now and again.

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Defence

Jamie Caddie-ger

A no-nonsense defender who would help his side bunker down when the going gets rough. The former Liverpool centre-back and one-club man would lay down a marker at the back.

Rio Ferdi-sand

Not only a solid presence at the back, the ex-England man could stroke the ball around and help the side transition from back to front.

<<enter caption here>> at Old Trafford on May 12, 2013 in Manchester, England.
Image: Ferdinand could stroke the ball around in defence

Jordi Alba-tross

An up-and-down defender, the Spaniard seamlessly links the defence and attack. He would be driving up the left flank all day.

Midfield

Nicky Putt

Something of a hybrid, the ex-Manchester United man can get forward to chip in with the attack or help the defence get out of a tough lie.

Jermaine Pin-nant

The wildcard in the team who has been through several clubs in his career. Could prove to be a hazard on occasions but makes the cut anyway.

Stoke City's Jermaine Pennant celebrates scoring their second goal against Arsenal during the Premiership football match at The Brittania Stadium in Stoke
Image: Pennant would be a wildcard pick

Hole in Juan Mata

The ace in the middle of the pitch, Mata gets the perfect shape on his passes and could swing a game in his side's favour.

Paul Pog-par

He might be the world's most expensive player, but that would prove no handicap for the Manchester United star. He hit the sweet spot recently when he broke his duck against Leicester.

Paul Pogba celebrates scoring his sides fourth goal
Image: The world-record fee is no handicap for Pogba

Leroy Fer-way

The Swansea midfielder is charged with getting a grip on the game and helping the team if they are flagging in the closing stages.

Alexis Sandwedge

Playing up the middle, the Chilean putts the star factor into midfield. After scoring just once in his first four games this season, he seems to be on the right trajectory with four goals in his last three.

Alexis Sanchez celebrates scoring Arsenal's first goal
Image: Sanchez provides the star factor

Forwards

Zlatan Ibrahimo-pitch

One of the first picks, Zlatan is suited to the long or short game. It hasn't taken him long to find his range in the Premier League.

Tee-hierry Henry

A composed finisher when the ball is on the dance floor, Henry is a player for the team to pin their hopes on. Capable of spinning away from his marker and finishing from distance.

Subs: Fraser Fore-ster, Jodi McA-rough, Iron Giggs, Eden water-Hazard, Sandy Carroll, Jamie Par-dy.

Do you have any more suggestions? Let us know in the comments section below or tweet @SkyFootball.

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