Advertisement

10 big-name players at risk of missing Euro 2016

1. Francis Coquelin

Coquelin might seem like a strange inclusion given he's yet to be capped by France, but a call-up seemed a near certainty after his emergence in 2015. The Arsenal holder was one of the best defensive midfielders in the league last term, helping the Gunners to end the season strongly, and has been a mainstay in Arsene Wenger's XI when fit this season.

His performances have dipped since Christmas, though, meaning an international debut this summer is unlikely. Coquelin's slump has also coincided with rise of N'Golo Kante, who has leapfrogged the Arsenal man in the France pecking order.

2. Adnan Januzaj

The Manchester United winger was somewhat fortunate to be a part of Belgium’s World Cup squad in Brazil two years ago, and Januzaj faces a real test if he wants to make it to France this time around.

He's only managed 14 minutes of action for United since returning from a loan spell at Borussia Dortmund in January, with the Germans handing him a solo start in what was a disappointing stint in the Bundesliga. With Belgium possessing a fair amount of depth in attacking areas, the Euros could be out of reach for Januzaj.

3. Franck Ribery

Despite hanging up his international boots after missing the 2014 World Cup, Ribery – now fit and firing again – has declared himself ready to return to the France fold. With the likes of Anthony Martial, Dimitri Payet, Antoine Griezmann and Kingsley Coman having progressed in the last two years, though, it wouldn't be at all surprising to see him left out.

Ribery has succumbed to countless injury problems over the years, and les Bleus have grown used to playing without him. Calling up a 33-year-old with a history of fitness troubles would be a big risk for Didier Deschamps.

4. Theo Walcott

Walcott may be Arsenal’s longest-serving player and in line for a testimonial in the summer, but his standing has drastically diminished this season.

Despite having a productive spell as a striker earlier in the campaign, Walcott now finds himself behind Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud up front, while Alex Iwobi and Joel Campbell have also edged above him in the pecking order for the right-wing role. Having started as a substitute in each of Arsenal’s last nine Premier League games, the former Southampton man could suffer the ignominy of missing yet another international tournament this summer.

5. Pedro

Like most of his Chelsea team-mates, Pedro's had a season to forget. Despite scoring on his debut, the Spaniard has generally been underwhelming ever since, failing to produce the performances many expected.

While he did make Vicente del Bosque's recent squad for Spain's friendlies with Italy and Romania last month, the likes of Diego Costa, Santi Cazorla and Andres Iniesta were all absent with injury. If everyone's fit, it's hard to see a place for the ex-Barcelona forward.

6. Andros Townsend

After becoming one of the most exciting prospects in English football during the 2013/2014 campaign, Townsend is another player who's seen his stock drop since.

Mauricio Pochettino was clearly not too keen, happily selling the winger to Newcastle in January, and while Townsend has impressed for the Toon it's likely to be a case of too little, too late for the 24-year-old.

Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace Townsend Goal HIGHLIGHT 30/04/2016
Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace Townsend Goal HIGHLIGHT 30/04/2016

Townsend scores against Crystal Palace

7. Loic Remy

Remy may have won a Premier League title at Stamford Bridge last season, but his move to Chelsea in 2014 hasn't worked out well on a personal level.

Never first choice and with constant niggling injuries hampering his progress, the Frenchman has managed just three goals in 19 appearances this term. In a recent poll in France asking who Deschamps should include in his 23-man group, Remy received a grand total of 0% of the votes.

France Vs Spain 1-0 - Loic Remy Goal & Match Highlights - September 4 2014 - [HD]
France Vs Spain 1-0 - Loic Remy Goal & Match Highlights - September 4 2014 - [HD]

Remy scores for France against Spain

8. Mario Balotelli

Despite his undoubted talent, the controversial Italian has fallen off the radar at international level since the 2014 World Cup. A move to Liverpool last season was a disaster, and things haven't been much better back at Milan this term, with the 25-year-old having contributed only three goals all year.

Having not featured for Italy in two years and Simone Zaza, Graziano Pelle and Eder all seemingly preferred by Antonio Conte, Balotelli's chances of going to France this summer are very slim indeed.

9. Morgan Schneiderlin

Schneiderlin will likely feel hard done by if he's left out of the France squad this summer, but that looks a real possibility at present. The midfielder has struggled to replicate his Southampton form at Manchester United, with his last appearance for les Blues coming back in November.

Schneiderlin could also fall victim to France's superb strength in depth in the engine room, with the likes of Kante, Lassana Diarra, Paul Pogba, Yohan Cabaye, Blaise Matuidi, Coquelin, Geoffrey Kondogbia and Moussa Sissoko all vying for a place.

10. Daniel Sturridge

A fully fit Sturridge would probably walk into England's first XI, but recurring injury issues – the striker has made only 17 league starts since the start of last season – mean the Liverpool man could miss out this summer.

Although Sturridge has netted four goals in his last six outings for the Reds, he may have given himself too much to do, with Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney all likely to be higher up on Hodgson's list.

More features every day on FFT.com