THE MOST OBVIOUS OMISSIONS FROM THE 55 MAN SHORTLIST FOR FIFA PRO 11

The 55-man strong Fifpro XI shortlist has been released and we identified a number of notable omissions.

Whilst the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Luis Suarez have made the final cut, Eden Hazard, Philippe Coutinho and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have all missed out.

Leicester’s Jamie Vardy is the only English player to be included in the final considerations, but his teammate Riyad Mahrez has been excluded.

Casmiro, Isco and James Rodriguez all miss out despite winning the Champions League with Real Madrid in May.

Meanwhile, Euro 2016 winners Jose Fonte and Renato Sanches did not make the final shortlist, which was voted on by 25,000 players around the world.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen has also missed out on the final cut, despite winning the La Liga title and the Copa del Rey this year with his club Barcelona

The Premier League’s Young Player of the Year Dele Alli was not included either, alongside teammates Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld.

Squawka’s 55-man shortlist of notable ommissions by home nation and club:

Goalkeepers (7): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Thibaut Courtois, Hugo Lloris, Marc Ter-Stegen, Roman Burki, Jan Oblak, Petr Cech

Defenders (15): Andrea Barzagli, Sergi Roberto, Laurent Koscielny, Filipe Luis, Juanfran, Jose Gimenez, Jose Fonte, Fabinho, Marquinhos, Shkodran Mustafi, Hector Bellerin, Daley Blind, Cesar Azpilicueta, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen

Midfielders (26): Casemiro, Saul Niguez, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Blaise Matuidi, Riyad Mahrez, Koke, Gabi, James Rodriguez, Isco, Bernardo Silva, Angel Di Maria, Sadio Mane, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Fernandinho, Julian Weigl, Raheem Sterling, Dele Alli, Josh Kimmich, Douglas Costa, Mohamed Salah, Marek Hamsik, Joe Allen, Mousa Dembele, Renato Sanches.

Attackers (9): Kevin Gameiro, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Roberto Firmino, Mauro Icardi, Alvaro Morata, Anthony Martial, Harry Kane, Ousmane Dembele, Romelu Lukaku.

 who do you think is the most notable omission ? Add your comment below

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WILLIAN RETURNS, MATIC REMAINS: IF CONTE PICKS THIS 3-4-3 CHELSEA XI THEN THEY WILL SURELY DESTROY MAN CITY

The games keep on coming for Antonio Conte and Chelsea…

Last weekend’s clash against Tottenham will live long in the memory of Chelsea fans, given that it was a game of such important against a side that has built quite the rivalry with Chelsea over the last few years.

An impressive Victor Moses goal in the second-half sealed the points for Antonio Conte’s men – but the Italian will have no time to rest on his laurels.

Up next is a tough trip to the Etihad, where Conte faces his stiffest test yet – a game against Premier League favourites Man City.

The Guardiola-led side have done well this year, and some are already touting this game as a title decider.

With so much riding on the game, it is absolutely essential that Antonio Conte picks the right team on Saturday – and we’re expecting a change or 2.

With that said, if Conte picks this 3-4-3 Chelsea XI then they will surely destroy Man City

GK – THIBAUT COURTOIS

Thibaut Courtois has been in a rich vein of form over the last few weeks – and he appears to be finally living up to the hype.

He will need to be on form.

 CB – DAVID LUIZ

What a revelation David Luiz has been!

He is the most important man in this defence, and Conte will be hoping that his regular mistakes don’t rear their ugly head.

CB – GARY CAHILL

Chelsea’s captain in the absence of John Terry.

A good performance will be needed.

CB – CESAR AZPILICUETA

Cesar Azpilicueta is the most consistent man in the Chelsea first team.

There is nothing to worry about when he’s in the side.

LWB – MARCOS ALONSO

Marcos Alonso has looked good so far, but he will need to be on form to deal with Man City’s rampaging attack.

Can he handle it? We think he can…

CM – N’GOLO KANTE

This will be N’Golo Kante’s toughest test yet.

He will need to be all over Sergio Aguero in order to stop the deadly forward.

CM – NEMANJA MATIC

A strong performance against Tottenham proved his position in the side was justified – and a repeat performance will be needed.

 RWB – VICTOR MOSES

How good was Victor Moses last week?

He scored the winner and is sure to start this week.

LW – EDEN HAZARD

Eden Hazard is a man bang in form – but he needs to start turning up in the big games.

The clash against Man City is a perfect time to start.

ST – DIEGO COSTA

Diego Costa was unbelievable last week.

His display deserved a goal, but his hold up and transitional play were essential.

A repeat performance please, Diego.

RW – WILLIAN

Pedro doesn’t deserve to be dropped, but the offensive threat of Man City means that Willian could return.

He is a hard worker, and Man City are seriously good going forward. Pedro isn’t as defensively minded as the Brazilian – so this one makes a lot of sense.

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Deal Close – Manchester United Agree To Sign $67.6million Super Star! this January

Deal Close – Manchester United Agree To Sign $67.6million Super Star!

Atletico de Madrid defender and top Manchester United target, Jose Gimenez has reportedly asked for a move away from Spain after a reported spat with manager, Diego Pablo Simeone as reported by Spanish source, Don Balon. The report further states that a meeting has also been held with the players agent.

Jose Gimenez picked up an injury in late September and was deemed fit to play against in the El derbi Madrileno (Madrid Derby). Despite being available for selection, Gimenez was not selected for the game. Stefen Savic started the game in the heart of the Atletico de Madrid defense alongside, Diego Godin.

The decision did not work out well for Diego Simeone, as Savic’s errors costed Atletico de Madrid two goals. Savic deflected Ronaldo’s freekick into the goal for the opener and later conceded a penalty when he fouled Ronaldo inside the penalty area on a one on one situation.

The 21 year old defender joined Atletico Madrid back in 2013 and has cemented his place at the heart of the Atletico Madrid back line last season after the departure of Brazillian defender, Miranda.

It was being claimed last season that Atletico Madrid would struggle defensively after they lost Miranda to Inter Milan, but Jose Gimenez’s presence in defense along with Diego Godin has helped Atletico form a formidable defensive back line. Atletico Madrid were successful in defeating Barcelona and Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League with the help of solid defensive performances over the course of 4 matches.

Manchester United are also keen on signing the highly rated defender to add solidity to their back line which has not been up to the level this season under Jose Mourinho. Mourinho has also been linked to signing several other defenders, but Manchester United’s prime target remains Gimenez.

The La Liga winning defender is valued at around £54million ($67.6million) by his current employees and it would be no surprise if Manchester United get ready to splurge such a huge chunk of money on a defender.

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Liverpool to offer £20m & £60k/week wages for striker with 17 goals already this season

Liverpool to offer £20m & £60k/week wages for striker with 17 goals already this season

If this is true, we really missed a trick by not signing this guy for peanuts in the summer!

According to Glasgow Live, Liverpool are readying a £20m offer for Moussa Dembele, who plies his trade in Scotland for Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic.

The French youngster has 17 goals to his name already this season and is keeping Leigh Griffiths, who bagged 40 last term, out of the side.

dembele for celtic

In the article, it suggests we’ll offer Dembele, formerly of Fulham, £60k-per-week wages and a guarantee of regular first-team action…

We’re a little skeptical about this report for a few reasons. Firstly, how they’d know what wages we’ll offer the forward is a mystery. Secondly, there’s absolutely no way they’re privy to a conversation in which Jurgen Klopp has told somebody he’ll make Dembele a starter. Nobody is a guaranteed starter in Klopp’s side – it’s about form and fitness – and the German wouldn’t make promises to lure a 20-year-old who’d be way down our pecking order considering the likes of Roberto Firmino, Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi are ready to play centre-forward.

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