Most valuable XI eliminated from the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League

The group stage of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League concluded with most of the continental heavyweights sealing their berths in the Round of 16. However, former champions Manchester United and Inter Milan will be conspicuous by their absence in the knockout round.

As is usually the case, the latest edition of the Champions League was graced by some of the finest and most valuable players active in the sport today, with most of them set to feature in the knockout round of this season's competition.

Most valuable XI who will not be in action in the remainder of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League

All 12 players who are currently valued at over €100 million by transfermarkt will feature in the Round of 16 of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League.

However, with the exit of 16 teams from the competition, several other talented players will have to contend themselves with the Europa League or no European football at all after Christmas.

On that note, let us have a look at the most valuable XI (in a 3-2-3-2 formation) from eliminated teams in the 2020-21 Champions League.

Goalkeeper - Andre Onana (Ajax): €36 million

Andre Onana has been the epitome of consistency for Ajax since making his professional debut at the club in the 2016-17 season.

The 24-year-old Cameroon international has kept an impressive 80 clean sheets in 195 games in all competitions for the club, a tally that consists of seven shutouts in the Champions League.

However, Onana failed to keep a clean sheet in six games in this season's Champions League, and Ajax made consecutive Round-of-16 exits since making a fairytale run to the semi-final in 2018-19.

Centre-back - Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan) - €60 million

Stefan de Vrij was a standout performer in Inter Milan's three-man defence last season, with the centre-back winning the Best Defender in Serie A award in 2019-20.

Thanks to de Vrij's excellent defensive displays and the odd contributions up front, the Nerazzurri finished a creditable second in Serie A and made the Europa League final, where they lost to Serie A.

De Vrij has been an omnipresent in the Inter defence this season, playing eight games in Serie A and all six in the Champions League. However, Antonio Conte's men, despite a late resurgence, finished with the wooden spoon in their group.

Centre-back - Harry Maguire (Manchester United): €50 million

Since arriving at Manchester United last summer, centre-back Harry Maguire has become one of the key players for the club, despite some of his recent performances attracting criticism.

Maguire played all 38 league games last season to lead his club to a creditable third place in the Premier League. He also featured in nine games in the Europa League.

However, this season hasn't gone to plan for Maguire. The 27-year-old Sheffield-born defender was particularly poor and failed to inspire his troops in the defeats against Istanbul Basaksehir, Paris St. Germain and Leipzig that led to Manchester United's exit from this season's Champions League.

Centre-back - Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan) - €45 million

After making his debut with Atalanta in 2016-17, Alessandro Bastoni has evolved into one of the most promising young Italian full-backs.

The 21-year-old, who now plays for Inter Milan, has belied his years by impressing with his positioning, tactical prowess and contributions up front. He scored two goals in Inter's successful Serie A campaign last season, where the Nerazzurri finished just a point adrift of champions Juventus.

Bastoni, who has made heads turn with his performances for Italy, tallied an assist for Inter Milan in this season's Champions League but couldn't avert their European exit.

Central Defensive Midfielder: Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes) - €50 million

Eduardo Camavinga, who is touted as a generational talent and plies his trade for Ligue 1 club Rennes, made his Champions League debut this season.

The Angola-born French midfielder belied his young years and played a key role to ensure Rennes' qualification for the Champions League last campaign.

Despite Camavinga providing glimpses of his tactical intelligence and versatility - the player produced a lone assist in four games - Rennes lost five times in six matches to finish fourth in their 2020-21 Champions League group.

Nevertheless, the second-youngest goalscorer for France, who is one of the most valuable teenagers in world football, will be one to watch out for as a bevy of clubs are reportedly interested in his services.

Central defensive midfielder: Paul Pogba (Manchester United) - €80 million

Despite Paul Pogba featuring in central midfield for his club and country, the Frenchman is one of two defensive midfielders in this hypothetical XI.

Nevertheless, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner had an underwhelming campaign in the Champions League this season as his club exited the competition in the group stage.

Since his arrival from Juventus four years ago, Pogba has largely been a pale shadow of his illustrious self and has struggled to impress under various managers at the club.

The Frenchman has been particularly poor in the Champions League for Manchester United, scoring just two times in 19 appearances, with Bruno Fernandes having to shoulder the bulk of the creative burden in midfield.

If reports are to be believed, Pogba might have played his final Champions League game for the Old Trafford club.

Right Midfield - Achraf Hakimi (Inter Milan) - €50 million

Achraf Hakimi, who also operates as a right-back, has had an underwhelming start to life at Inter Milan since his arrival at the club this summer.

The Moroccan player, who dazzled at Borussia Dortmund, has produced three goals and as many assists in Serie A but has failed to set the stage alight with his performances in the Champions League.

Hakimi was at fault for one goal and scored at the wrong end in Inter Milan's 0-2 home defeat to section winners Real Madrid on Matchday 4, a result that contributed towards the Nerazzurri's exit from the Champions League this season.

Central Midfield: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - €80 million

Bruno Fernandes is arguably the finest Portuguese player in the Premier League at the moment.

Since arriving at Manchester United in January this year, the 26-year-old midfielder has averaged almost a goal contribution per game (35 in 36 games, with 22 goals and 13 assists).

After almost singlehandedly helping the club to a creditable third place in the Premier League last season, Bruno Fernandes has started the season in blistering form.

However, despite his four goals and an assist in six Champions League games, Manchester United endured a group-stage exit after defeats against Istanbul Basaksehir, Paris St. Germain and Leipzig.

Left Midfield: Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) - €80 million

Marcus Rashford is one of four players who have scored six times in this season's Champions League.

However, among the quartet, the 23-year-old Englishman, who plays as a winger for Manchester United, will have no further involvement in the competition this season after his side were eliminated from Round-of-16 contention despite his heroics.

In Manchester United's 5-0 home win over RB Leipzig, Marcus Rashford scored a hat-trick to become only the fifth player in competition history to score three or more goals in a Champions League game after coming off the bench.

Rashford also scored home and away against Paris St. Germain and in his club's win over Istanbul Basaksehir, but his efforts eventually came to nought.

Forward - Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan) - €85 million

Romelu Lukaku has been a standout player for Inter Milan since his arrival at the club last summer.

The Belgian forward scored an impressive 34 times in all competitions, a tally that consists of 23 goals in the Serie A, nine goals in Europe (seven in the Europa League and two in the Champions League), to help Inter to second place in the league and the Europa League final.

Lukaku has been on song this season too, scoring eight times in the league and four times in the Champions League. However, despite his exploits in the latter competition, Inter finished a dismal fourth in their group.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist happens to be the most valuable player (as per transfermarkt) who won't be involved in the Champions League when the competition resumes after two months.

Forward: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) - €70 million

Lautaro Martinez is arguably one of the finest young forwards in the game. The 23-year-old Argentinian has been an impressive performer for Inter Milan since his arrival at the club in the summer of 2018.

Martinez scored an impressive five goals in the Champions League last season before continuing his European adventure in the Europa League, where Inter Milan reached the final (lost to Sevilla).

However, Martinez looked off the pace in the Champions League this season. He contributed a miserly one goal in six games as Inter Milan struggled to score goals up front and finished with the wooden spoon in their group.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Rachel Syiemlieh