FIFA World Cup 2018: Dropped 23-man squad

Defenders

Sergi Roberto (Spain | Barcelona), Marcos Alonso (Spain | Chelsea), Nelson Semedo (Portugal | Barcelona), Lucas Digne (France | Barcelona), Alex Sandro (Brazil | Juventus), Shkodran Mustafi (Germany | Arsenal) and German Pezzella (Argentina | Fiorentina).

Sergi Roberto and Nelson Semedo in action for FC Barcelona against AS Roma

Sergi Roberto, Marcos Alonso, and Nelson Semedo have been exceptional this season. Roberto and Semedo played exquisitely for Barcelona during this year's campaign, and their omission has come as a surprise for everyone.

Sergi was even part of UEFA's LaLiga team of the season. Although Chelsea had an unforgettable campaign, Alonso has been a revelation for the blues. He was even part of the PFA team of the year, yet Lopetegui favoured Arsenal's Nacho Monreal, who also had an unbelievable season, ahead of Alonso in the left-back position.

Lucas Digne, Alex Sandro, Shkodran Mustafi and German Pezzella are the other players who failed to catch the bus to Russia. Sandro and Mustafi had a disastrous season to be very honest, but there is no doubt about the heap loads of talent that they possess.

Lucas Digne, who has been an ever-present in the French national team throughout his time at Barca was overlooked by Deschamps, who said that the left-back’s lack of minutes at Barca has counted against him.

Fiorentina center-back German Pezzella, an unknown figure alongside the heavyweights of Argentina, was excluded from Sampaoli's squad. He is undoubtedly much more capable than Gabriel Mercado, who is part of Sampaoli's 23-member squad to Russia.