With national squads for this summer’s European Championship being finalised today, ahead of the tournament beginning next Friday, we’ve taken a look at a best XI of players who won’t be playing for their country in Germany. To be eligible for selection, players must have made 20 or more appearances in Europe’s top five leagues across the 2023/24 campaign.
Michele Di Gregorio (Monza and Italy) - 7.03
26-year-old stopper Michele Di Gregorio ended the season as Serie A’s highest rated goalkeeper, with his performances across the campaign set to seal him a move to Italian giants Juventus this summer. Di Gregorio, though, was unfortunate not to be called up to Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri squad, with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Guglielmo Vicario and Alex Meret preferred.
Pedro Porro (Tottenham and Spain) - 7.04
Tottenham right-back Pedro Porro enjoyed the most productive league season of his career to date under Ange Postecoglou, registering three goals and seven assists in the Premier League. Porro’s efforts, though, were not enough to earn a place in Luis de la Fuente’s Spain squad, with Dani Carvajal and Jesus Navas set to travel to Germany.
Sepp van den Berg (Mainz and Netherlands) - 7.04
Liverpool loanee Sepp van den Berg concluded the league season as the Bundesliga’s highest rated centre-back after a strong campaign with Mainz. The Netherlands’ strong defensive unit, consisting of the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Nathan Ake, Micky van de Ven and Matthijs de Ligt, saw the 22-year-old miss out on a senior call-up.
James Tarkowski (Everton and England) - 7.08
Like Jarrad Branthwaite, who was axed from Gareth Southgate’s provisional squad hours before the final announcement, Everton’s James Tarkowski won’t be playing a part for England this summer. The 31-year-old, who has two international caps to his name, ended the season as the highest rated English defender in the Premier League, helping Everton to 13 clean sheets, second only to Arsenal.
Bradley Locko (Brest and France) - 7.07
In his first full Ligue 1 season, 22-year-old left-back Bradley Locko played a key role as Brest secured Champions League football. Les Bleus’ impressive defensive options means the Frenchman won’t play a part at Euro 2024, but he has earned a call-up to Thierry Henry’s squad for this summer’s home Olympics.
Martin Odegaard (Arsenal and Norway) - 7.37
After a sensational season in the Premier League - in which he registered eight goals and 10 assists - Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard will have the summer off after Norway failed to qualify for the European Championship. It has now been almost a quarter of a century since The Lions’ last major tournament appearance, that coming at Euro 2000.
Teji Savanier (Montpellier and France) - 7.28
Montpellier midfielder Teji Savanier registered 15 goal involvements for the third successive Ligue 1 campaign, when he managed nine goals and six assists in 2023/24. Given France’s stock of elite midfielders, the 32-year-old missed out on a place in Didier Deschamps’ squad for this summer’s tournament.
Isco (Real Betis and Spain) - 7.40
Former Real Madrid star Isco enjoyed a comeback season with Real Betis in La Liga, as the 32-year-old managed eight goals and five assists for Manuel Pellegrini’s side. All the signs had pointed to Isco making the final Spain squad, but those hopes were sadly dashed when he fractured a fibula in his left leg in May.
Romain Del Castillo (Brest and France) - 7.35
Along with teammate Locko, Romain Del Castillo played a huge part in Brest’s historic season, as they qualified for the Champions League and achieved their best ever league finish in the top division. Del Castillo contributed with eight goals and eight assists, but has not played for his country since turning out for their U21 side in 2019.
Erling Haaland (Manchester City and Norway) - 7.40
The striker in our XI is none other than Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, whose six goals throughout qualifying were not enough to see Norway secure qualification out of a group including Spain and Scotland. Haaland netted 27 Premier League goals in 2023/24, as he secured back-to-back Golden Boots and Premier League titles.
Jan-Niklas Beste (Heidenheim and Germany) - 7.32
Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable season in the Bundesliga meant newly-promoted FC Heidenheim’s eighth-place finish has gone somewhat under the radar. Winger Jan-Niklas Beste proved crucial for Frank Schmidt’s side, registering 19 goal involvements (8 goals, 11 assists), but having been forced to pull out of the Germany squad following a first call up in March, the 25-year-old was unable to force his way into Julian Nagelsmann's selection.
