UEFA Euro 2016: 5 biggest omissions from the tournament

Fernando Torres

Torres was one of Atleti’s best players en route to the European Cup final in Milan

He is not the same player he was at the very peak of his natural powers, but Fernando Torres should be going to take part in France.

What he has lost in pace, stamina and consistent goal-scoring, the Atletico Madrid man more than makes up for in heart, courage and experience. Not only this, but he can still play at the highest level and in a system that values team principles over that of the individual, something which when levels are low and morale in decline, can be of far more benefit than a flashy performer in a taxing tournament.

Under Diego Simeone, he has developed into a very different sort of player to the one so many fell in love with in his younger days but to equate that with a decrease in overall ability would be a mistake and it appears that is precisely what has happened with Vicente del Bosque.

Much like the Costa case, Torres has had a far better season than people think (and one infinitely better than the ones picked to go ahead of him). He played a major role in helping Atleti push both Real Madrid and Barcelona in La Liga and he was one of their best players en route to the European Cup final in Milan.

His absence is nothing short of a travesty.