There are a lot of handy players who won’t be making the trip to France next summer.
We can all be smug when approaching this article because Martin O’Neill and the Boys in Green are heading to Euro 2016.
Come on, it’s not often we can be so self-assured about our football team, so let’s take a moment to think of some of the fine players who won’t be joining Jon Walters and the gang on the plane next summer.
To be fair, a few handy nations haven’t qualified so we reckon that this a pretty tidy looking XI in a very attacking 3-5-2 formation.
Goalkeeper – Asmir Begovic (Bosnia)
He may be having a tough time of it with Chelsea at the moment, and he wasn’t exactly commanding in the two legs against Ireland (he did have to play Walters though, so no shame), but let’s not forget that Begovic is a top goalkeeper.
There is a reason that Jose Mourinho signed him from Stoke. He’s no Darren Randolph, but he is decent.
Defender – Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia)
Serbia has three points deducted in Group I during the qualifiers, but they were still way off the pace, finishing fourth out of the five teams.
There’s no question that Ivanovic has had a poor domestic season with Chelsea, but on his day he remains one of the best defenders in European football. A lot of inferior centre-backs will take to the field next summer in France, and that is sure to grate with the Premier League champion.
Defender – Daley Blind (Netherlands)
The Dutch shocked many by not even making the play-offs for Euro 2016. The 2010 World Cup finalists were atrocious during the qualifying campaign.
They didn’t become a bad team overnight, with Manchester United man Daley Blind having a decent start to the season at Old Trafford. Although he’s currently in and out of the United side, he’s developing into a decent defender.
Defender – Sokratis Papasthatopoulos (Greece)
Greece are a million miles away from the side that won Euro 2004 these days, but in Papasthatopoulos they possess one of the better centre-halves in Europe.
The Greek captain has excelled for Borussia Dortmund at the back, but couldn’t guide his nation on a trip to another European Championships.
Midfielder – Nemanja Matic (Serbia)
Another world-class Serbian, on his day, who has also had a dreadful club season so far by his own extremely high standards.
Let’s get it right, Matic is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world who just happens to mirror his country’s own poor form at present.
Midfielder – Miralem Pjanić (Bosnia)
Definitely one of the players to emerge with his reputation in tact following Bosnia’s defeat to Ireland in the play-off.
The Roma midfielder looked a class above at times in the second leg, but he still wasn’t a match for Jeff Hendrick… which we’re very proud of, in fairness.
Midfielder – Christian Eriksen (Denmark)
Denmark came out the wrong side of the Scandinavian derby against Sweden in the play-off and now Euro 2016 will be down a quality creative midfielder.
Eriksen has proved his worth in the Premier League with Spurs as one of the more technically gifted players. Next time, Christian.
Winger – Arjen Robben (Netherlands)
The Bayern man has been around for donkeys at this stage and yet, still, Arjen Robben is probably one of the best players in the world. That’s some feat for a 31-year-old winger.
We hope that this isn’t the last chance that the former Chelsea and Real Madrid star has at appearing at another major tournament, because he’s too good not to play.
Winger – Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Armenia)
Mkhitaryan is one of the top forwards in Europe, and yet the Dortmund attacker may retire without having ever appeared at a World Cup or a European Championships.
A final group game defeat to Ireland cost Armenia a place at Euro 2012. They were nowhere near as close this time around – finishing bottom of Group I without winning a single game.
Forward – Stevan Jovetić (Montenegro)
Montenegro were a part of Group G, which was most famous for Austria amassing a ridiculous 28 points from a possible 30. Still, Montenegro came miles short in qualifying.
It’s a shame for Jovetić who, although never taking off with Manchester City, has made a name for himself by tearing defences apart in Serie A.
Striker – Edin Džeko (Bosnia)
The main reason that Irish fans up and down the country feared Bosnia in the play-off was this man.
Thankfully, although he scored in the first leg, Džeko was kept largely at bay by a stern Irish back line. Still, Euro 2016 will now be deprived of one of the most lethal finishers in the game.
So, there’s our best XI of those left behind ahead of the European Championships. How about yours? Send your picks to editorial@JOE.ie or hit us up on Facebook or Twitter.
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