REVEALED: Kyle Walker is the ONLY England star to make stat boffins’ highest-rated XI of Premier League players from the international break… but who has earned the best score?
- A host of Premier League stars were involved in international action this month
- Sofascore have compiled an XI of the best players – but who has made the team?
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!
With the international break over, the Premier League is around the corner again.
Several nations took giant strides toward qualifying for Euro 2024, while England also triumphed over Scotland, courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s masterclass, in a friendly to mark the 150th anniversary of football’s oldest international fixture.
However, just one of his Three Lions team-mates has made Sofascore‘s highest-rated XI of Premier League players, based on their performances for their countries.
The data compiled by the stats boffins has instead handed Kyle Walker a spot in the side, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Phil Foden surprisingly missing out.
Here, Mail Sport reveals who else has made the cut…
Kyle Walker has made the XI of the best Premier League stars during the international break
Despite his goal against Scotland in the 150th Anniversary Match, Phil Foden has missed out
Your browser does not support iframes.
Goalkeeper: Martin Dubravka (Slovakia) – 7.25
Despite his lack of game time with Newcastle, Martin Dubravka remains the first-choice goalkeeper for Slovakia and played in both of their recent fixtures.
He was helpless to prevent Bruno Fernandes from securing a narrow 1-0 win for Portugal last Friday but went on to keep a clean sheet against Liechtenstein.
Martin Dubravka found himself in the wars with Cristiano Ronaldo on Slovakia duty
Right back: Kyle Walker (England) – 7.55
It may have taken him 77 caps but Kyle Walker finally achieved lift-off for England in the goalscoring department after netting in the draw with Ukraine.
Fresh from his mazy run and tidy near post finish, the full back then impressed against Scotland yesterday and played the full 90 minutes north of the border.
Walker scored his first Three Lions goal and earned his side a 1-1 draw with Ukraine
Centre back: Cristian Romero (Argentina) – 7.60
Two games, two starts, two clean sheets.
It was an outstanding break away from Tottenham action for Cristian Romero with Argentina, who brushed aside both Ecuador and Bolivia in World Cup qualifying.
Cristian Romero led Argentina to two consecutive victories and two clean sheets to boot
Centre back: Ben Davies (Wales) – 7.35
Slowly but surely, Wales look to be finding their feet again under Rob Page, thanks in part to their newfound, crucial defensive solidity this month.
Ben Davies was integral to this and helped his nation draw 0-0 with a bright South Korean team before a 2-0 victory over Latvia kept their Euro 2024 dream alive.
Ben Davies helped Wales earn two shut outs as they looked to re-find their feet again
Left back: Diogo Dalot (Portugal) – 7.65
It’s just as well Diogo Dalot delivered a strong display at left back during Portugal’s 9-0 demolition of Luxembourg, because Manchester United need him there, too.
He was rarely tested but stuck to his task superbly and helped the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Goncalo Ramos and Diogo Jota run riot in the Algarve.
Diogo Dalot impressed at left back against Luxembourg in a boost for Manchester United
Centre midfielder: Christian Eriksen (Denmark) – 8.75
Christian Eriksen put the icing on top of the cake after scoring Denmark’s final goal in their 4-0 victory over San Marino, a result that pushed them closer to Euro 2024.
He was equally crucial in their victory in Finland the following fixture, having dictated the tempo in an advanced role and laid the foundations for a last-gasp winner.
Christian Eriksen scored Denmark’s final goal in their 4-0 thrashing of minnows San Marino
Centre midfielder: Rodri (Spain) – 8.15
Only slightly overshadowed by his pivot partner in this XI, Rodri diligently held down the fort in Spain’s drubbings of minnows Georgia and Cyprus.
While he may not have scored, he did tee up Ferran Torres for the sixth goal in their sixth qualifying match and stood out once again with his metronomic qualities.
Rodri held down the fort for Spain in their comprehensive wins against Georgia and Cyprus
Right winger: Dejan Kulusevski (Sweden) – 8.20
Dejan Kulusevski, a man reborn at Tottenham this season, scored during Sweden’s 5-0 triumph over Estonia and also set up Robin Quaison for their fourth goal.
He was unable to muster up similar heroics during the 3-1 defeat by Austria, however, though this didn’t prevent him from losing out on a spot in this team.
Dejan Kulusevski picked up where he left off with Spurs after scoring for Sweden this month
Attacking midfielder: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) – 9.05
Is there any real surprise that Bruno Fernandes is the highest-rated player here?
After all, the playmaker popped up with the winning goal against Slovakia in Portugal’s first game before scoring and assisting again against Luxembourg.
Take a bow.
Bruno Fernandes earned the highest rating from Sofascore after his heroics for Portugal
Left winger: Ivan Perisic (Croatia) – 7.90
It was plain sailing for Croatia during their international break and Ivan Perisic, despite a lack of club game time, played the full 90 minutes in both matches.
Notably, he racked up two assists during his side’s 5-0 win over Latvia.
Experienced winger Ivan Perisic racked up two assists during Croatia’s victory over Latvia
Striker: Raul Jimenez (Mexico) – 7.90
Rounding off the team is Fulham and Mexico frontman Raul Jimenez.
He scored from the penalty spot in the 2-2 draw with Australia in his country’s first friendly before following that up with a brace against Uzbekistan just days later.
Raul Jimenez was in blistering form for Mexico, having scored three goals in two matches
IT’S ALL KICKING OFF!
It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.
It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.
Your browser does not support iframes.
Source: Read Full Article
