{"id":1105023,"date":"2019-09-06T11:26:48","date_gmt":"2019-09-06T10:26:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1105023"},"modified":"2019-09-06T11:26:48","modified_gmt":"2019-09-06T10:26:48","slug":"combined-xi-fifpro-snub","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/combined-xi-fifpro-snub\/","title":{"rendered":"A combined XI of players who can be most disappointed with their Fifpro snub"},"content":{"rendered":"

As usual, this year’s 55-man Fifpro World XI shortlist consists of the best footballers on the planet, with the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid all heavily represented.<\/b><\/p>\n

However, there are number of players on the list<\/a> who perhaps aren’t deserving of a place compared to some of the names left out.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/audioboom.com\/posts\/7360490-squawka-talker-special-champions-league-2019-20-preview<\/p>\n

Several stars who have played vital roles in trophy wins and have significantly contributed to other achievements throughout the year didn’t make the grade, failing to receive enough nominations to be on the shortlist.<\/p>\n

We’ve decided to shine the spotlight on those unlucky players, putting together a Fifpro Snubbed XI \u2013 and we’ve even added some substitutes.<\/p>\n

Disagree with any of our picks? Let us know on Twitter<\/a> or Facebook<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goalkeeper: Andre Onana (Ajax)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Onana is the first of a few Ajax players unfortunate to miss out. The goalkeeper played a big part in Ajax’s incredible journey to the Champions League semi-finals last season. He saved 75.47% of the shots thrown at him in the competition, a better rate than David De Gea (71.88%) and Ederson (63.64%), both of whom are on the shortlist.<\/p>\n

What’s more, no goalkeeper kept more clean sheets (16) in the Eredivisie last season than Onana.<\/p>\n

Right-back: Noussair Mazraoui (Ajax)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The second Ajax player on our list is a right-back who won more tackles (37) than any other defender in the Champions League last season. Mazraoui was one of the unsung stars of Erik ten Hag’s side, which perhaps explains his absence from the shortlist.<\/p>\n

He also made 21 interceptions in Europe last term; no defender made more. The 21-year-old missed out on a nomination to other right-backs such as Dani Alves, Dani Carvajal and Joao Cancelo.<\/p>\n

Centre-back: Joel Matip (Liverpool)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Joe Gomez started 2018\/19 as Virgil van Dijk’s centre-back partner, but injury soon disrupted his season. As a result, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren spent much of the campaign battling to stay in the starting line-up, and it was Matip who finished the season stronger.<\/p>\n

Indeed, the Cameroonian helped Liverpool keep clean sheets against Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur in the final two matches of a famous Champions League run. Van Dijk, an obvious nominee, has the commanding presence to make any partner look good, but Matip deserves recognition for his contribution.<\/p>\n

Centre-back: Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Of Spurs’ two Belgian centre-backs, Toby Alderweireld has often been referred to as the better player in recent years. But Vertonghen has matured brilliantly after entering his 30s, with many Spurs fans now referring to him as the club’s best defender.<\/p>\n

There’s good reason for that. His ability to play at left-back, as he did to stunning affect against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round of 16 last term, is a manager’s dream \u2013 although his relationship with Mauricio Pochettino hasn’t been the best of late. Still, that shouldn’t halt talk of the 32-year-old’s excellent 2019.<\/p>\n

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READ MORE: Done deals you may have missed on European deadline day<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico (Ajax)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Tagliafico was a relatively late bloomer. He spent the first half of his 20s in his native Argentina \u2013 bar the odd season on loan at Real Murcia \u2013 before moving to Ajax, where he has slotted in perfectly under Ten Hag. The left-back scored three goals in 12 Champions League games last season, outshining the competition’s more established left-sided defenders.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old, who won a total of 20 tackles in the competition, will be frustrated to see the usual suspects such as Marcelo on the list after Ajax eased past Real Madrid in the last 16.<\/p>\n

Central midfield: Fernandinho (Man City)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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Fernandinho was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year in 2018\/19, but there is no room for him on the Fifpro shortlist. He may be knocking on, but the 34-year-old’s importance is emphasised by the fact Manchester City spent big on Rodri this summer to make sure the team still functions properly when Fernandinho is unavailable.<\/p>\n

With his contract expiring next summer, this was probably Fernandinho’s last chance to be named in the final world XI.<\/p>\n

Central midfield: Jordan Henderson (Liverpool)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When one thinks of the best players on the planet, Jordan Henderson might not immediately spring to mind. But the former Sunderland midfielder is now a Champions League-winning captain, and his tweaked role last season gave him the freedom to have a huge impact for Liverpool domestically and in Europe.<\/p>\n

Again, Henderson will be disappointed to be ranked behind Real Madrid trio Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, all of whom have been uninspiring in 2019 despite their obvious class.<\/p>\n

Attacking midfield: David Silva (Man City)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Not a lot can be said about David Silva that hasn’t been said already. The Spaniard is one of Europe’s most consistent midfielders, refusing to let his game change with age. This will be his last season at Manchester City, and the Etihad faithful will be waving goodbye to a bonafide club legend.<\/p>\n

Only Eden Hazard (1,005) made more successful passes into the final third than David Silva (774) last season. The Spaniard was a crucial cog in the City machine once again.<\/p>\n