Most valuable XI not called up to international duty (November 2021)

Some big names will be missing in action this week.
Some big names will be missing in action this week.

Right-back: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (England) - €40 million

Wan-Bissaka's style of play apparently isn't to Gareth Southgate's liking.
Wan-Bissaka's style of play apparently isn't to Gareth Southgate's liking.

Manchester United have gone through the motions this season, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka has quietly impressed with his defensive prowess. But it's his lack of attacking firepower that has been left wanting.

He cannot build up plays and kickstart attacks like modern full-backs. He rarely makes incisive passes or whipping crosses into the box, and the last time he scored was in February.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker are in incredible form right now. So it has become impossible for a more conservative player like Wan-Bissaka to break into England's XI at the moment.


Centre-back: Fikayo Tomori (England) - €40 million

A force to reckon with in Milan's defence
A force to reckon with in Milan's defence

Wan-Bissaka may not be a surprise exclusion after all, but Fikayo Tomori certainly is. The youngster is having an excellent campaign for AC Milan in Serie A, but he has still been overlooked by Gareth Southgate.

The 23-year-old has become a mainstay at the heart of the Rossoneri's backline, playing every minute in their unbeaten domestic run so far. The strides he has made since moving abroad have been too huge to ignore.


Centre-back: Ben White (England) - €40 million

Ben White has been a revelation for Arsenal this season.
Ben White has been a revelation for Arsenal this season.

Following a wretched start to his 2021-22 campaign, Arsenal have turned things around in style. They have now gone eight games unbeaten, and have climbed into the top five places in the league, above Manchester United.

Ben White's intelligence, pace and ability on the ball has been a key factor in Arsenal's surge. The 24-year-old has forging an exciting defensive partnership with Gabriel, but that wasn't enough to impress Gareth Southgate.


Left-back: Ferland Mendy (France) - €40 million

Ferland Mendy isn't as dangerous going forward as the Hernandez brothers.
Ferland Mendy isn't as dangerous going forward as the Hernandez brothers.

Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior have garnered all the plaudits for Real Madrid's flying start under the returning Carlo Ancelotti. But many others have been impressive too, including Ferland Mendy.

The 26-year-old brings a lot of stability to Los Blancos, and is a key ball-carrier too. But Theo Hernandez and Lucas Hernandez being two of the best attacking full-backs in the game now. So Mendy will have to bide his time to earn a France call-up.

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