Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

Three members of the German World Cup winning squad highlight a shortlist of 2o defensive players nominated for the 2014 FIFPro World XI.

Philipp Lahm, Jerome Boateng, and Mats Hummels were all included, along with stout defenders Thiago Silva, Vincent Kompany, Barcelona pair Javier Mascherano and Gerard Pique, and Real Madrid centerback Sergio Ramos.

The list does include a few surprises including David Luiz, who capitulated during Brazil’s World Cup semifinal thrashing from Germany, as well as his Brazilian teammates Marcelo and Dani Alves, who have shown more of a propensity to attack rather than defend.

The FIFAPro World XI will be announced during the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich on Jan. 12.

Here are some more stories to kick off your Wednesday:

WILSHERE COULD MISS THREE MONTHS WITH ANKLE INJURY

Arsenal could be without yet another midfield weapon for an extended period after Jack Wilshere suffered an ankle injury during Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United last Saturday.

According to reports in England, Wilshere is set to meet with an ankle specialist in the coming days to determine whether he needs surgery. Arsenal and manager Arsene Wenger believe that he could be back sooner than expected if surgery is ruled out but a procedure would cost the Gunner and England international three months on the sidelines.

Wilshere already has missed more than a season with ankle injuries in the past, and Arsenal can ill afford to add more injuries to their depleted squad.

BRAZIL’S SANTOS INTERESTED IN EL TRI GOALKEEPER OCHOA

Guillermo “Memo” Ochoa’s disappointing stint in Malaga could be over as soon as January.

Recent reports have linked Ochoa with a move away from Spain, and the latest report is that Brazilian club Santos is interested in signing Ochoa this winter.

“We are interested in several players from the Spanish league and one of them is Ochoa,” Santos president Nabil Khaznadar told Diario AS in Spain. “Santos do not have a good goalkeeper and Mexican meets all of the conditions. We want a great player and we also need to be an icon in terms of marketing. We believe in his potential after seeing at the World Cup in Brazil.”

Since joining Malaga last August, Ochoa has yet to make a single La Liga appearance.

QUICK KICKS

The Argentine Football Association has confirmed that the next Argentine season will include 30 clubs and go from February through December, with each team playing each other once and Derby games taking place twice during the season. (REPORT)

Borussia Dortmund manager Jurgen Klopp said in a press conference that he’s not thinking about moving to London in the future and is focused on Dortmund and completing his contract. (REPORT)

Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is suffering from hip discomfort. (REPORT)

PSG are discussing contract extensions with full backs Maxwell and Gregory Van der Wiel. (REPORT)

Stoke City forward Victor Moses will miss six to eight weeks with a serious thigh injury. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Who do you see making the FIFPro World XI as a defender? Do you see Arsenal struggling without Wilshere? Think he’ll miss three months of action?

Share your thoughts below.