Mbappe and Fernandes make up star-studded UEFA Nations League best XI
Portugal have made a sprint start in their bid to defend their UEFA Nations League crown, picking up 10 of a possible 12 points in Group 3. As such, the Selecao dominate the League A best XI so far, with representatives from Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City all featuring.
Of those to have made three or more appearances, we run through the team of League A...
Ibrahim Sehic (Bosnia and Herzegovina) - 7.04
The sole Bosnia and Herzegovina representative in this XI is goalkeeper Ibrahim Sehic. The 32-year-old has featured in three of their four UEFA Nations League matches, making 12 saves across those outings, that the fourth highest in League A. A number of sturdy performances between the sticks means Sehic make the team with a WhoScored rating of 7.04.
Joao Cancelo (Portugal) - 7.53
Portugal have been excellent in their quest to defend their Nations League crown, picking up 10 points of 12 available as they top Group 3. As such, the defending European champions have no fewer than six players in this XI, with Manchester City's Joao Cancelo the first representative for the Selecao. The full-back has had a direct hand in two of the nine goals Portugal have scored in League A, scoring one and assisting another. 2.7 key passes and two successful dribbles per 90 has contributed to his WhoScored rating of 7.53.
Sergio Ramos (Spain) - 7.53
The only Spain player to feature in this best XI, only two players have scored more goals than Sergio Ramos (2) in League A, an impressive feat all things considered. The Real Madrid star has been a solid distributor from the back, with his 313 accurate passes the fifth highest in League A, while a 94% pass success rate is a fine return. Off the ball, Ramos has excelled with his 17 tackles and interceptions the second best in League A and it has helped the Real Madrid ace to a WhoScored rating of 7.53.
Pepe (Portugal) - 7.43
Real Madrid's former fearsome centre-back duo link up as Pepe partners Ramos at the heart of this defence. The experienced Portugal international has garnered a WhoScored rating of 7.43 in the UEFA Nations League this season and has been a rock at the back for the Selecao. 19 clearances ranks third in League A in 2020/21, with the proactive 37-year-old solid for a side that has conceded just once in four group matches.
Raphael Guerreiro (Portugal) - 7.34
Rounding off the defence is the third Portugal representative in the League A best rated XI so far. Raphael Guerreiro has been an impressive attacking force from left-back for Fernando Santos' side with the Borussia Dortmund star's two key passes per 90, and three clear-cut chances created, translating to one assist from his four appearances. Guerreiro has also worked hard off the ball having won possession in the defensive third more times (20) than any other player to help him earn a WhoScored rating of 7.34.
Nicolo Barella (Italy) - 7.30
Italy have been goalshy in their UEFA Nations League campaign to date, scoring just three goals in four matches. Of those three goals, Inter man Nicolo Barella has had a direct hand in two, bagging the decisive goal in the Azzurri's 1-0 win over the Netherlands in September, before turning provider for Lorenzo Pellegrini in the 1-1 draw with the Oranje last month. 14 tackles and interceptions combined is a commendable return for Barella, who features in midfield with a WhoScored rating of 7.30.
Frenkie de Jong (Netherlands) - 7.43
Only Adama Traore (13) has completed more dribbles than Netherlands midfielder Frenkie de Jong (12) in League A, with the Dutch star joining Barella in the middle of the park. The Oranje, like Italy, may be struggling for consistency at present, but De Jong has put in a number of excellent shifts from midfield having yielded a WhoScored rating of 7.43.
Bruno Fernandes (Portugal) - 7.87
The best rated player in this XI, Bruno Fernandes rounds off the midfield having gained a WhoScored rating of 7.87 from Group 3. While the Portugal star has just one assist to show for his efforts, it's not for want of trying. Indeed, Fernandes has made more key passes (13) than any other player in League A of the UEFA Nations League. Factor in that no player has made more tackles than the Manchester United ace (12) and it's been a fine campaign for Fernandes to date.
Kylian Mbappe (France) - 7.35
Kylian Mbappe is the only player to feature for world champions France having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.35 in the UEFA Nations League this season. The PSG star has scored two goals from his three appearances in the competitions, both of which proved decisive in wins over Sweden and Croatia. The 21-year-old's 11 successful dribbles is the fourth best in League A to feature on the frontline in this team.
Joao Felix (Portugal) - 7.38
Spearheading the attack in this best XI is the penultimate Portugal representative. Joao Felix has made a superb start to the season and has continuted his fine club form on the international stage, scoring one and assisting another for the Selecao in the UEFA Nations League. 1.6 successful dribbles per 90 is a good average for the Atletico star, who has been fouled 10 times in his four appearances, one of the higher returns, to help Felix to a WhoScored rating of 7.38.
Diogo Jota (Portugal) - 7.55
Rounding off the best rated XI so far, no player has scored more goals than Diogo Jota (3) in League A of the UEFA Nations League, netting once in the 4-1 win over Croatia back in September and then bagging a brace against Sweden last month, all the while providing an assist for Bernardo Silva in a 3-0 victory over the latter. Jota's excellent showings in the final third under Fernando Santo means he completes this XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.55.
