The 55-strong shortlist for the 2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI was announced on Thursday and contained only 10 players from the English top flight.
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Four Manchester City players – in David Silva, Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany – make the list, while local rivals Manchester United are represented by captain Wayne Rooney and goalkeeper David de Gea.
Ten Premier League players are shortlisted with Wales and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale the only other British player nominated. Premier League champions Chelsea boast Eden Hazard, John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic, while Alexis Sanchez is the only player from Arsenal to be included.
Does Rooney deserve to be among the 55 nominees for the 2015 FIFPro World XI?
There are five goalkeepers, 20 defenders, 15 midfielders and 15 forwards in the running to make the select XI, which will be announced at the Ballon d’Or gala in January.
The award is decided by the players and involves votes from almost 25,000 professional footballers from an estimated 70 different countries.
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America’s Major League Soccer’s sole representative is New York City and Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo.
