Liverpool midfielder makes the cut in Switzerland dominated League A best XI

And then there were four. The UEFA Nations League showpiece will be contested by England, Portugal, Netherlands and Switzerland after the quartet topped their respective groups in League A. Next summer’s title will be decided in Portugal, with the Nations League proving a breath a fresh air after replacing the dreaded international friendlies. 

The surprise finalists perhaps come in the form of Switzerland, who topped group 2, despite coming up against the World Cup’s third place finishers in Belgium. When they lost 2-1 in Belgium earlier in the year, it seemed as though the Red Devils would go on to top the group, yet a 5-2 loss at the hands of Switzerland this week saw Vladimir Petkovic’s side progress as winners, which is all the more impressive considering they were 2-0 down after 17 minutes. 

As the Swiss secured their place in the finals, it means they dominate our League A best-rated XI, with Liverpool midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri their star man once more. Shaqiri earned a better WhoScored rating (8.28) than any other player in League A having ranked top for shots (15), and second for key passes (14), assists (3) and successful dribbles (13). 

He is one of five Switzerland players to make the best XI, while the top three best-rated players from League A all ply their trade for the Red Crosses. Haris Seferovic (8.10) and Fabian Schar (7.88) make up the podium for the top performing stars, with the former playing a starring role in their eventual progression to next summer’s finals, having scored more goals (5) than any other player in League A, including a hat-trick in a man of the match display in the aforementioned 5-2 win over Belgium on Sunday. 

Ricardo Rodriguez (7.25) and Yann Sommer (7.04) make up the Swiss contingent, while the other three representative teams have just two players apiece. Memphis Depay (7.68) came closest to breaking the Swiss trio topping the player ratings, with the Lyon star thriving for a rejuvenated Netherlands side. Depay netted twice in wins over Germany and France, earning the WhoScored man of the match award in both, while compatriot Virgil van Dijk (7.36) features alongside Schar at the heart of the defence. 

Thomas Meunier (7.48) rounds off the defence with the marauding full-back chipping in with two assists from eight key passes in his four outings in League A, while returns of 2.3 tackles and one interception per game capped a fine showing for the right-back. Just ahead of him in this XI is fellow Belgian Dries Mertens (7.56), who made more key passes (16) than any other player in League A. 

Spanish midfield pair Isco (7.58) and Saul Niguez (7.46) complete this XI and while Spain were unable to wrap up top spot in group 4, it wasn’t for lack of trying from the duo. Isco scored one and assisted another for Luis Enrique’s side, while Saul scored twice, those coming in wins over England and Croatia. While this means there is no space for Portugal and England players in this XI, it says more about their collective performances that saw them top their respective groups rather than relying on moments of individual brilliance to secure a place in next summer's finals.