The best XI of players not in the Europa League or Champions League this season.
One curiosity of the Champions League and Europa League this season is the quality of clubs who aren’t involved, with some of the continent’s biggest names, most notably Manchester United and AC Milan, not being involved in either competition.
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Here is our best XI from those not involved:
GK) David de Gea (Manchester United)
The young Spaniard has been one of few United players to impress this season and was chosen here ahead of Steve Mandanda of Marseille and Guillermo Ochoa of Malaga.
RB) Ignazio Abate (AC Milan)
A regular in the Italian national side, AC Milan right back Ignazio Abate is well-known for his rampaging runs down the right flank and providing width to his side.
CB) Nicolas Otamendi (Valencia)
The £9.75 that Valencia paid to FC Porto to secure the services of Argentinian centre back Nicolas Otamendi is already looking like a snip after he slotted seamlessly into the Los Ches defence.
CB) Senad Lulic (Lazio)
Usually used at left back, Bosnian international Senad Lulic slips into this team in the centre of defence due to a lack of quality options in that positions from the teams available.
LB) Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Manchester United paid a world record fee for a teenager to Southampton for youngster Luke Shaw this summer, and he slots into the team at left back.
RM) Alexandre Lacazette (Olympique Lyonnais)
French international Alexandre Lacazette surprisingly signed a new contract with Lyon this summer in the face of Newcastle United and Arsenal. Lyon did in fact qualify for the Europa League, but were eliminated after a shock defeat to Romanian side Astra Giurgiu in the qualifying rounds.
CM) Gianelli Imbula (Olympique Marseille)
Powerhouse midfielder Gianelli Imbula was linked with Arsenal and Chelsea since his move from Rennes to Marseille, with his performances for the early Ligue 1 leaders having done his chance of a big move little harm.
CM) Riccardo Montolivo (AC Milan)
After a broken leg cruelly ruled him out of the summer World Cup, Italian midfielder Riccardo Montolivo is eyeing a November return, which would be a huge boost for Pippo Inzaghi and AC Milan.
LM) Angel di Maria (Manchester United)
The new Manchester United winger, for whom they paid a British record fee to Real Madrid this summer, is a world class performer and really should be playing in the Champions League.
SC) Paco Alcacer (Valencia)
Young Spanish striker Paco Alcacer has started the season in incredible form for Valencia as they rise towards the top of the La Liga table, with Chelsea already reportedly showing an interest.
SC) Radamel Falcao (Manchester United)
The Colombian, on loan at Old Trafford from AS Monaco, is clearly a class act, even if he is yet to really find his feet as a Manchester United player.