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The 2018 Russia World Cup begins in under a month and most national team managers have submitted their 23-man squads. With a number of controversial and hard decisions taken by the respective bosses, selected players now get the chance to represent their country at the greatest spectacle on the earth, the FIFA World Cup.
A mixture of top professionals has been left out due to various reasons. Whether it was inconsistency, lack of playing time or injuries managers have made difficult decisions and will have to stick their choices unless there are late injuries that hamper the squad.
A number of top defenders have been left out of their national team squads and here we look at the top 5 defenders who won't be going to Russia.
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#5 David Luiz
David Luiz is probably one of the most passionate Brazilian footballers in the world today. A quality defender, with great passing ability, Luiz might not be the ordinary defender but he is explosive and aggressive in his own right.
However, his fall out with Antonio Conte early in the season and a lengthy injury has kept him out of the Chelsea squad and in-turn Tite's Brazilian World Cup squad. While the player is said to be back in training, he is not entirely fit and hasn't played enough games this season.
The 31-year-old lost out to a place in the squad to Fagner, Marquinhos, Thiago Silva, Miranda and Pedro Geromel. All these players have had complete seasons and performed at a high level consistently, pipping the Chelsea defender in the squad.
#4 Mamadou Sakho
Crystal Palace defender, Mamadou Sakho since his January move from Liverpool has been rock solid at the back for the club. He helped guide the club to safety in the Premier League, commanding the Palace defence.
Sakho has not been named in Deschamps squad with the likes of Djibril Sidibé, Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, Adil Rami and Samuel Umtiti selected ahead of the former Liverpool man. Sakho has made 24 appearances for the national team since his debut in 2010 and was also part of Deschamps 2014 World Cup squad.
Despite a strong second half finish, Sakho does not make Deschamps cut for the tournament, part of which could have hinged on the mercurial character of the defender. A sensational player at the back, Mamadou is on the list of standby players named by the manager.
#3 Chris Smalling
Smalling has been left out of the England World Cup squad by Gareth Southgate and will be despondent with the decision. Smalling's performances for United have not been bad this season, while Jones his United teammate has got the nod ahead of him. Gary Cahill and John Stones' inclusion into the side given their form this season are questionable choices, while Harry Maguire also got the nod ahead of Smalling.
A stable in England's qualifying campaign, Smalling has represented his country for the last five years consistently but will sit out the tournament in Russia. Smalling may not be the best defender but he is England's quickest central defender and the side will have to cope without his pace. Smalling has made 31 appearances for his country.
For Southgate, the manager has made a hard call but only time will tell as to whether it was a good decision. For Smalling, he'll have to pick himself up for next season and continue to work hard and improve.
#2 Laurent Koscielny
Arsenal defender, Laurent Koscielny suffered a serious knee injury during the Europa League semi-final against Atletico Madrid ruling him out of the World Cup for France. A massive blow for Deschamps, Koscielny was a sure shot candidate to be part of the travelling squad.
A massive blow for France, Deschamps has selected his defence based on season-long performances by the players in their respective leagues. Djibril Sidibé, Benjamin Pavard, Raphaël Varane, Presnel Kimpembe, Adil Rami and Samuel Umtiti have all featured consistently for their sides at club level earning them a call-up.
Despite Arsenal's dismal season, Koscielny was one of the few performers in the Gunners squad. Hampered by injury during the season as well, the defender did well to bring himself back to full fitness before the major injury blow during the Atletico second leg.
#1 Alex Sandro
Brazilian left full-back, Alex Sandro has had just three chances to play under manager Tite, since his appointment as the national team manager. Starting two of these games, he didn't make an impact and was never called up again only having made 10 national team appearances.
With Marcelo and Felipe Luiz the other two left full-backs who got the nod, the country seems to have quality players on the left, despite Sandro's absence. Two highly experienced footballers, Luiz and Marcelo will battle it out for the spot in the playing 11.
Sandro has not been poor for his club this season, although the Brazilian has been left out due to the fact that he might not fit into the manager's game plan for the tournament. The 27-year-old, in the prime of his career, has been excellent for Juventus in the past three seasons and was considered an easy call-up in the Brazilin squad.
