It’s international week, and that means that a certain number of players will be linking up with their countries in the quest to make it to the European Championships next summer.
However, that also means that a fair few will have nothing to do this weekend but look on and watch their colleagues on TV. Below is a starting XI of the best players left at home for the upcoming qualifiers.
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GK: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – Germany
The Barcelona stopper was in phenomenal form at Borussia Monchengladbach last season, and he was expected to take the next step up upon joining Barcelona over the summer.
However, he has still been able to dislodge Manuel Neuer, and perhaps more importantly, Claudio Bravo with his club side.
RB: Cesar Azpilicueta – Spain
‘Dave’ has been so good at left-back for Chelsea this season that not even the £20m-rated, La Liga winning Felipe Luis has been able to oust him.
Despite that, though, Spain have such wealth at full-back that Dani Carvajal and Juanfran have made it in ahead of him.
CB: Eliaquim Mangala – France
Having recovered from his shaky start to life in Manchester, the young stopper is now showing the kind of promise that Man City fans had hoped to see.
Still not considered ready for a senior call up, though, as fellow youngster Kurt Zouma has been preferred ahead of him.
CB: Jeremy Mathieu – France
Despite stepping into the void left by Carles Puyol at Barcelona this season, the Frenchman still can’t break the hold on the back line currently occupied by the likes of Laurent Koscielny, Raphael Varane and Mamadou Sakho with Les Bleus.
LB: Jose Luis Gaya – Spain
The 19-year-old is having a similar problem to Azpilicueta, only on the opposite side of the back four. The speedy wingman is thought to be knocking on the door of the national side, but as of yet he is stuck behind Juan Bernat for now.
MF: Daniele Di Rossi – Italy
Along with Andrea Pirlo, the Roma enforcer is being phased out of La Squadra over the next 18 months, meaning he will miss the clash with England next week.
MF: Lars Bender – Germany
Following Sami Khedira’s return to fitness, the Leverkusen midfielder has had to make do with a reduced role with the World Cup winners.
MF: Ramires – Brazil
Despite his high work rate, Dunga has opted to overlook the Chelsea man as Brazil are blessed with an abundance of top class defensive midfielders. So much so that not even the likes of Lucas Leiva, Hernanes and Paulinho have been able to get in either.
FWD: Paulo Dybala – Argentina
He may be in the form of his life and attracting interest from a host of top European clubs in the process, but, somewhat understandably, he’s not been able to break into the Argentine side ahead of Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuaín, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Ezequiel Lavezzi.
FWD: Mauro Icardi – Argentina
The top scorer in Serie A is having the same problems as Dybala. Perhaps if he was at a stronger club he would have a better chance…
FWD: Luciano Vietto – Spain
He may have bagged 13 goals for Villarreal this term, but he is still viewed as being light years away from La Rioja.