The Euro 2016 kick-off is right around the corner, with the tournament to start on June 10. With several of the continent’s biggest countries set to take part, all but Netherlands, many big names in the world of football will take center stage in France.
However, several aces were left behind for the tournament. Here we compile a starting XI of the best players who were omitted – the Euro 2016 rejects if you like – that stand the best chance of challenging for the trophy.
Criteria
Players who miss out on the latest edition of the European Championship through injury or lack of fitness are not eligible in our list, thus the likes of Danny Welbeck, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Dani Carvajal, and Marco Reus miss out.
Mamadou Sakho is also a no-show due to his doping controversy, whilst Fernando Torres is also out of consideration due to the fact that he himself all but closed the door on a return to the national side.
Honorable mentions
- Diego Costa (Chelsea): The Spaniard is a high-profile player, probably the highest to miss out, but we opted for two strikers who helped their team win silverware in Europe instead.
- Jermain Defoe (Sunderland): See Diego Costa.
- Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon): You probably get the hint by now…
- Andrea Pirlo (New York City): Everyone would have loved to see football’s coolest player make Euro 2016, but he hasn’t made waves in Major League Soccer as expected.
- Isco (Real Madrid): Once tipped to be Spain’s next big thing, his lack of games at Los Blancos this season severely hurt his chances.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Milan): The rising Italian custodian has garnered attention, but we opted for a German shot-stopper who won the league and cup double in France.
Formation
4-4-2, or to be more precise, our starting eleven will lineup in a 4-3-1-2 formation.
And without further ado, our starting XI of unselected players:
Note: All stats are from the domestic leagues, unless stated otherwise.
Goalkeeper: Kevin Trapp
Games: 35
Conceded: 19
Clean sheets: 18
The PSG goalie was overlooked by Joachim Low despite helping Les Parisiens to Ligue 1 and Coupe de France titles, whilst also making the Champions League last 8.
Center-back: Robert Huth
Games: 35
Interceptions: 76
Clearances: 263
Errors leading to goals: 0
It’s an odd situation when you form the league’s third best defensive unit – tied with Arsenal – and win the Premier League title, yet still can’t make the national side, but this is the fate of Robert Huth. Fortunately for him, we haven’t overlooked the Leicester defender.
Center-back: Dejan Lovren
Games: 24
Tackles won: 25
Aerial duels won: 78.57%
The Croatian defender made a return to Liverpool’s starting XI under Jurgen Klopp. Unfortunately, an ill relationship with national team boss Ante Čačić saw him miss out.
Full-backs: Javier Martinez and Nacho Monreal
One a make-shift defender, the other a natural left-back, the two Spaniards lost out on a spot in La Furia Roja’s star-studded squad. Nonetheless, the Bayern and Arsenal men are undoubted talents.
Defensive midfielder: Danny Drinkwater
Games: 35
Tackles won: 74
Interceptions: 55
No room for the Premier League winner, Hodgson?
Just as Robert Huth, the English midfielder wasn’t chosen for the Three Lions despite an English Premier League-winning season. Instead, Roy Hodgson opted for Jack Wilshere. Will he rue his decision?
Central midfielder: Saul
Games: 31
Successful take-ons: 31
Goals: 4
The Atletico man rose to stardom with his solo effort in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, but has been a reliable player all season for Diego Simeone. He can count himself unluckily to miss out on Euro 2016.
Central midfielder: Karim Bellarabi
Games: 32
Successful take-ons: 82
Goals: 5
Assists: 10
The German ace was instrumental in helping Bayer Leverkusen secure Champions League football, and probably should have been chosen, given that Marco Reus won’t be traveling with die Mannschaft.
Attacking midfielder: Hatem Ben Arfa
Games: 34
Successful take-ons: 149
Goals: 17
Assists: 6
Despite breathing life back into his career upon moving to Nice, Ben Arfa was shockingly omitted from Didier Deschamps' 23-man squad.
Forward: Karim Benzema
In La Liga: 27 games, 24 goals, 7 assists
In the Champions League: 9 games, 4 goals, 1 title
Deschamps claims it was down to his ongoing criminal case; Benzema argues that it was down to racism. Nonetheless, Les Bleues will host the tournament without their deadliest forward.
Forward: Kevin Gameiro
In La Liga: 31 games, 16 goals, 4 assists
In the Europa League: 9 games, 8 goals, 2 assists, 1 title
Gameiro celebrates winning the 2015-16 Europa League with his team-mates
Benzema’s exclusion was expected, but Gameiro’s omission raised questions given his form in Spain and in the Europa League. Instead, France will rely on Olivier Giroud and Andre-Pierre Gignac as their center-forwards *cue the boos*.
Our starting XI in full. Should they have been handed call-ups?
