DIDN'T QUALIFY XI

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A dream XI of the players whose teams failed to qualify for a Russian Summer 

 

 

Gianluigi Buffon-GK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 39-year-old had planned to retire after the World Cup but he has decided to hang up his gloves following Italy's play-off defeat to Sweden that reduced him to tears.

 

 

David Alaba-LB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of three Bayern players  on the list is David Alaba. The Austrian generation who promised so much failed to deliver during the qualifiers and Alaba will have to wait four more years to try again. If there is even a weakness in the German team it is at left-back. Is it even a debate that if Alaba was German he would be in Russia for sure ?

 

Virgil Van Dijk-CB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s upsetting that Netherlands, who finished third in the World Cup just four years ago, have since failed to reach two major tournaments in succession.

Netherlands are facing uncertain times due to a talent drain as the youngsters are not good enough to replace the golden generation of Wesley Sneijder, Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Dirk Kuyt.

Virgil van Dijk will play a key role in getting the Oranje back on track under Ronald Koeman as he has already been handed the captain’s armband by his former Southampton manager.

 

 

 

Leonardo Bonucci-CB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During Euro 2016, Italy were touted to have their weakest squad ever in any major international tournament finals. There were not many attacking players in the squad, and the Azzurri were heavily dependent on their defensive unit. But in spite of the questions being raised, the side managed to reach the quarterfinals, with Leonardo Bonucci leading the central defense line for his country. The 31-year old defender, who moved to AC Milan from Juventus in the summer transfer window of 2017, made 35 appearances this season, and had an average tackle rate of 0.9 per game, with a clearance rate of 3.7 per game. He will be one of the best defenders who will miss the trip to Russia with Italy not qualifying for the first time since 1958.

 

Antonio Valencia-RB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manchester United's winger-turned-fullback Luis Antonio Valencia was unable to inspire his national team Ecuador to progress to the World Cup in Russia. Ecuador finished a disappointing eighth in the South American World Cup qualifying section (CONMEBOL).

The Ecuador skipper is one of the most influential players of his national team but he will have to watch this edition from back home after he was unable to guide his nation to what would have been his third World Cup

 

 

 

Arturo Vidal-CM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Chile staying home, their two mega star do too. Along with Alexis Sanchez, Bayern Munchien's midfield enforcer will certainly be missed. A player who is built for big games could not help his team qualify for Russia. The player has be suffering his fair share of injuries of late and maybe some rest would do him good.

 

Naby Kieta-CM

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The soon to be Liverpool midfielder could not inspire Guinea to World Cup qualification: they finished bottom of their group behind Tunisia, DR Congo and Libya.

 

Gareth Bale-LM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, Wales could no repeat their Euro 2016 heroics and qualify for a World Cup. No Wales means no Bale, arguably the world's best British footballer Gareth Bale's speed and spectacular goals would be missing from the main event. Bale's absence means just one-third of Real Madrid's world-renowned BBC will be chasing the elusive trophy. 

 

 

Alexis Sanchez-CAM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Premier League's highest paid player would be missing the World Cup as Chile surprisingly failed to qualify. The back to back South American Champions could not recover from some disappointing qualifying results. Manchester United can expect a fresh Sanchez as the new season swings around.

 

Arjen Robben-RM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A veteran of three World Cups, Arjen Robben announced his retirement from international football shortly after scoring twice against Sweden in the final match of Netherlands' unsuccessful qualification campaign.

Having played an inspirational role in Netherlands' successful World Cup campaigns in 2010 and 2014 when they finished runners-up and third respectively, the Dutch maestro was unable to pull his team through to this edition in Russia.

 

 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-CF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the case of a huge player hailing from a small non-traditional footballing country. Although Gabon have made seven of the last 11 African Nations even reaching the quarters as recently as 2012, they’ve never made a World Cup and this year wasn't going to be any different as they finished third in their group behind African giants Morocco and Ivory Coast.