See which players FIFA should have included on their midfield shortlist.
FIFA have just announced their shortlist for midfielder of the year, and while all of the names on there are well deserving, world class players, there are also some glaring omissions.
After a crazy year around Europe and an amazing 2014 World Cup there are a surfeit of candidates, but here are the most five obvious candidates who can feel hard done by.
SEE MORE:
Five Stars Of The Brazilian Season Good Enough To Start For Your Side Right Now, Including Liverpool Target
Charlton Athletic v Ipswich Town Live Streaming And Championship Match Preview
Robin Van Persie – The Arsenal & Manchester United Legend That Never Was
Blaise Matuidi
The PSG midfielder had what Americans call a “career year”, finally fulfilling his potential with a series of blockbuster performances in Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
The box-to-box midfielder scored several vital goals for his side and was one of France’s top performers at the World Cup as they were unlucky to be knocked out by eventual winners Germany.
Sami Khedira
Somehow seemingly every member of Real Madrid’s team has been nominated except Khedira, despite the fact that the only player to have won both the Champions League and the World Cup. An astonising omission.
Nemanja Matic
Matic had been superb for Benfica for some time before moving to Chelsea last January, and is now almost universally regarded as the best defensive midfielder in Europe.
While a lack of Champions League and World Cup participation probably preclude him from the actual team, he should be on the shortlist.
Koke
Koke was Atletico’s key player in their incredible season, his work rate and creativity driving them to La Liga success and the brink of the Champions League trophy. To leave him out for players like Xavi and Andres Iniesta is scandalous. 
Gabi
Is Koke was the brain of Diego Simeone’s Atletico side then Gabi was the heat. He ran himself into the ground every game for the cause, and had the season of his life and scored the derby screamer that won Atletico the league. What more can a man do, Sepp?