Who missed out and who was simply snubbed? With the soccer world cup on the horizon, let’s take a look at the players who failed to qualify for the prestigious tournament versus the players who were deemed surplus to requirements.
Check out our “Missed Out XI” and our “Snubbed XI” below, both of which we reckon could go a long way in Russia.
Missed Out XI
We kick things off with the Missed Out XI which will be comprised solely of players whose nations failed to qualify for this year’s finals.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the focal point of one of the paciest, most frightening front threes in world football. The Gabonese international enjoyed a stellar start to his Arsenal career, scoring 13 league goals in just 10 appearances.
He’ll have Alexis Sanchez and Gareth Bale for company on either side of him. It’s a pity we won’t see the Welshman at the soccer world cup, especially after his heroics for Real Madrid in the Champions League final. His 63rd-minute overhead kick was probably the best goal we’ve seen at a European final since Zidane’s volley in 2002 against Bayern Leverkusen. Alexis plays down the left flank, and although he appears to be struggling under the tutelage of Jose Mourinho, his direct approach has caused even the best defences in the world problems in the past.
The midfield trio of Arturo Vidal, Naby Keita and Marco Verratti is absolutely world class. Vidal and Verratti have become household names over the last few years with their dominant performances for Bayern Munich and PSG respectively, while both have enjoyed varying degrees of success with their national teams. Keita is perhaps the most exciting of the three. Not many people in South Africa have been able to see what he’s all about, reports indicate that the midfielder who will head to Liverpool for the 2018/19 season has been tearing it up over at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. The little dynamo has the engine of Ngolo Kante and a keen eye for goal, netting 17 times of Leipzig in 71 matches.
This truly is a fearsome back four. Leonardo Bonucci edges out compatriot Giorgio Chiellini at the heart of the defence alongside Liverpool and the Netherlands’ colossus Virgil van Dijk. The duo are both among the planet’s elite centre-halves and would likely walk into any international or club team around the world. Antonio Valencia and David Alaba are our full-backs here and will relish bombing on ahead of Sanchez and Bale.
It comes as no surprise to see Gianluigi Buffon between the sticks. The veteran stopper has played 1052 matches for Italy, Juventus and Parma and still has plenty to offer. As much explains why so many top clubs are after the 40-year-old’s signature following his departure from Juventus.
Snubbed XI
Notwithstanding a pretty wobbly looking back four and a dodgy ‘keeper, this side looks as though it could beat anyone on its day. Karim Benzema and Marco Icardi lead the line for the Snubbed XI. Although the Frenchman failed to reach double figures in terms of league goals for the first time since his debut season back in 09/10, he still possesses all of the BMT you need from players taking part in the soccer world cup. Icardi is perhaps the biggest name on this list. The Argentine centre-forward has enjoyed an outrageous season with Inter Milan, scoring 29 goals in the league. He’s been doing this kind of thing consistently over the last few seasons too, averaging 20 league goals a campaign since his arrival at the Nerazzurri in 2013/14.
The midfield is stacked. Mario Gotze plays as the most advanced of the four and despite not being at his best since his Myopathy diagnosis, the little German certainly deserves a place at the highest table of world football. Cesc Fabregas and Radja Nainggolan provide creativity and steel in the centre of the park with the baby-faced PSG defensive midfielder, Adrien Rabiot offering quality cover in front of a wobbly old back four.
Shokdran Mustafi and David Luiz play at the heart of this defence. Neither have enjoyed particularly good seasons at club level respectively but have enjoyed sustained periods at the very highest level. Two attack-minded fullbacks – Marcos Alonso and Hector Bellerin – will need to provide the width for the side which looks as though it’ll play very narrow through the midfield.
Lastly, Joe Hart shacks up between the sticks. The former England number one has seen his stock fall alarmingly over the last few seasons and was rightly left back at home by Gareth Southgate in favour of some younger – and admittedly more talented – blood in the form of Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland and Nick Pope. Although prone to a gaffe or two, Hart is a proven international who probably still has a bit to offer at this level.
Well, that escalated quickly! Two dream teams and 22 players worthy of playing at the soccer world cup. If only it was up to football fanatics to say who stays and who plays. Who do you think would win in a match between these two line-ups? Let us know in the comments below!
Full soccer world cup 2018 Fixtures HERE
