The 11 Ideal Players Not On UEFA’s Team Of The 12 months Shortlist, Such as Luis Suarez And Chelsea Trio

Who are the best players not available to vote for in UEFA’s team of the year 2014?

UEFA have opened the voting for their team of the year with a snazzy new website, and while every player in the running has had an exceptional 12 months, there are plenty of players who can feel hard done by for missing out.

Here are the eleven best performers from the last month not on UEFA’s shortlist.

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11) Luiz Suarez – Liverpool, Barcelona

The most glaring oversight of all, Suarez almost single-handedly dragged Liverpool to the Premier League title last year. His omission is surely political, after another year of controversy, as on footballing terms he would walk into the team, let alone the shortlist.

10) Mario Gotze – Borussia Dortmund

Gotze had a great debut season at Bayern last year, quickly settling in to his new surroundings as Pep Guardiola’s side raced to the title. He has started this season in even better form, and has an impressive 14 goals from his first 22 club and international appearances this season.

9) Roberto Firmino – Hoffenheim

Firmino has come to the attention of major European clubs recently after scoring a wonderful goal on his Brazil debut, but keen Bundesliga watchers have been raving about the Brazilian for several years. Firmino’s total of 26 goal contributions (16 goals and 11 assists) was bettered only by Marco Reus in the German top flight.

8) Eden Hazard – Chelsea

Hazard’s attacking play was crucial for Chelsea last year, who didn’t have many goals coming from their strikers. The Belgian had a quiet World Cup, but is in sensational form for the Blues once again this year.

7) Adrian Ramos – Hertha Berlin, Borussia Dortmund

Colombian Ramos got a move to Dortmund this summer after a Breakthrough season at Hertha Berlin last year. With 4 goal contributions in just 5 starts this term, the Colombian appears to be raising his game once again.

6) David Silva – Manchester City

City were only able to win the Premier League last year because of David Silva’s amazingly consistency. The Spaniard was always at hand to dig his side out of holes with vital assists, and his set pieces lead to several important goals for the Sky Blues.

5) John Terry – Chelsea

Chelsea reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and came within a few points of the Premier League title without any real strikers thanks to the amazing performances of John Terry and his fellow defenders.

4) Gabi – Atletico Madrid

The more glamorous (and, to be fair, equally deserving) Koke made it onto UEFA’s list, but not Gabi, whose ceaseless box-to-box running was key for Atletico. His stunning goal in the Madrid derby also pretty much won La Liga for his team.

3) Arturo Vidal – Juventus

Paul Pogba made it onto the list but his midfield partner Vidal was omitted. The Chilean deserves huge credit for his performances in Serie A last season, as well as for playing for Chile at the World Cup despite being half-fit.

2) Sergio Aguero – Manchester City

Aguero’s omission is astonishing. The Argentine international scored 23 goals in 26 league and Champions League starts as he fired City to the title last season, and already has a sensational 12 league goals in 10 starts this term.

1) Cesar Azpilicueta – Chelsea

The Spaniard has been the best one-on-one defender in the world since breaking into the Chelsea side at left-back 12 months ago. A certain to make the side next year in current form.

The 11 Ideal Players Not On UEFA’s Team Of The 12 months Shortlist, Such as Luis Suarez And Chelsea Trio