World Cup news: Best XI of players who won’t be in Russia

Serge Aurier – Ivory Coast

Serge Aurier is the second addition to the team of players who won’t be in the World Cup. His country, Ivory Coast, can still qualify for the World Cup, however they are sitting second in their group.

In Africa, only the teams who finish top of their group will gain a place in the Russian World Cup. As things stand, Ivory Coast will not be heading to Russia.

I know I said at the start of this that I won’t be including teams who can technically qualify, but Serge Aurier is one who stood out to me.

If, at the time of you reading this, Ivory Coast have qualified then the chances are, Serge Aurier played a big part of that. The Ivorian international is really starting to establish himself as one of his countries best players and after a great start at Spurs, he’ll be full of confidence.

His offensive output is widely praised but we mustn’t forget how good he in the defensive third. He really has become an all-round full back and for that, he joins my team of best players who won’t be in the World Cup, although in the case it’s still a maybe.