Revealed: The best rated players heading into UEFA World Cup qualification

The first international break of the year kick starts UEFA's side of World Cup qualification for 2022. In the build up to the matches we have built a best rated XI of players called up by the European nations.

Players like Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho and Thomas Muller would have been in the running to make the side but all three have been left out by their respective countries and are therefore not eligible.

Meanwhile there are some big name casualties such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes. Starting from the back, it's time to run through the XI.

Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid / Slovenia) - 6.84 rating

Jan Oblak is on course to go down as one of the best players in recent memory never to play at a major international tournament. The Atletico Madrid goalkeeper has been at the top of his game for years now and is constantly referenced as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world. Indeed, Oblak has the best save success rate in Europe's top five leagues this season (85.15%) of goalkeepers to have made at least five appearances.

Right-back: Joao Cancelo (Man City / Portugal) - 7.37 rating

One of this season's real success stories in the Premier League has been Joao Cancelo's resurgence at Manchester City. Having previously underwhelmed in England, Cancelo has emerged as a key player for Pep Guardiola this season. Drifting inside from full-back to provide City with more players in central areas has been a staple of City's play this season, with Cancelo carrying out that role superbly. The Portugal international has played a direct hand in four league goals this season, while averaging 1.8 successful dribbles per 90 and as many key passes.

Centre-back: John Stones (Man City / England) - 7.18 rating

If you thought Cancelo's form this season was a surprise then you certainly would not have predicted John Stones' campaign for City. The 26-year-old was fourth choice centre-back at City at the start of the season but has since formed a formidable partnership with Ruben Dias. City have kept a clean sheet in 13 of Stones' 18 league appearances this season and they have only conceded two more goals in that time than he has scored himself (4). Stones' stunning return to form has even led to an England recall after 16 months away from international football.

Centre-back: Kurt Zouma (Chelsea / France) - 7.22 rating

Kurt Zouma's inclusion in our XI may raise eyebrows but it's worth remembering how strongly he started the season under Frank Lampard. He has since dropped down the pecking order under Thomas Tuchel but if he doesn't play then his rating can't change. Zouma has been sound at the back and was even a real goal threat for Chelsea at the start of the campaign. The France international has impressively returned four goals in just 17 league appearances this season, winning 73.3% of his aerial duels and completing 90.6% of his attempted passes.

Left-back: Robin Gosens (Germany / Atalanta) - 7.43 rating

You will rarely see Robin Gosens play in a back four but he qualifies for this position as a wing-back for Atalanta. The 26-year-old has enjoyed yet another superb campaign for the Serie A outfit, benefitting hugely from their highly attacking style of play. The left wing-back has remarkably played a direct hand in 14 goals in 23 league games for Atalanta this season (nine goals, five assists), more than the likes of Sadio Mane (11) and Dries Mertens (13) in Europe's top 5 leagues.

Right wing: Gerard Moreno (Villarreal / Spain) - 7.69 rating

Certainly not the first Spanish player you think of but there is no question Gerard Moreno is having a sensational season for Villarreal. The 28-year-old have impressively scored or assisted 21 goals in 23 league appearances this season, with only Karim Benzema and Leo Messi garnering higher WhoScored ratings than the Spaniard in La Liga this season. Moreover, Moreno is one of only three players to reach 10 WhoScored Man of the Match awards in Europe's top 5 leagues this season.

Central midfield: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich / Germany) - 7.54 rating

Bayern Munich probably wish they converted Joshua Kimmich into a central midfielder sooner given how superb he is in that position. It's been another standout year for the 26-year-old, who has raced to 10 assists in the Bundesliga despite only making 17 league starts this season. Moreover, only three players average more accurate crosses per game than Kimmich (2.1) in Europe's top five leagues this season.

Central midfield: Kevin De Bruyne (Man City / Belgium) - 7.53 rating

A midfield combination of Joshua Kimmich and Kevin De Bruyne would take some beating. De Bruyne has played a direct hand in 16 goals in 23 league games, putting Manchester City well on course to their third league title in four years. Moreover, De Bruyne is the only player in Europe's top five leagues averaging 3+ shots and key passes per game this season.

Left wing: Kylian Mbappe (PSG / France) - 7.61 rating

Kylian Mbappe has been in red hot form for Paris Saint-Germain this season, playing a direct hand in more goals (26) than he has made appearances (25) in Ligue 1 this season. The France international has not gone more than two games in a row without at least scoring once or assisting once this season and it's massive news for PSG that they appear close to securing his long-term future.

Striker: Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich / Poland) - 8.05 rating

Despite approaching his 33rd birthday, there is no slowing for Robert Lewandowski. The Bayern Munich striker has remarkably played a direct hand in 41 goals in 25 league appearances this season, at least 10 more goal involvements than any other player in Europe's top five leagues. The Poland international has scored on 21 of his 24 league starts this season as he flies towards the Euro Golden Boot award.

Striker: Harry Kane (Tottenham / England) - 7.78 rating

Harry Kane was the first player in Europe's top five leagues to hit double figures for both goals and assists this season and is one of only three players, along with Lewandowski and Leo Messi, to hit 30+ goal involvements for the campaign. Kane is the joint-top scorer in the Premier League this season with 17 goals and has also registered at least three more assists than any other player in the division. Tottenham may be floundering under Jose Mourinho but Kane has been in world class form.