England star Grealish misses out on Nations League XI to ex-Man Utd flop

 

Netherlands at long last earned their first victory under Frank de Boer over the weekend, securing a 3-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and are the dominant side in the UEFA Nations League team of the week. Chelsea fans will be happy, too, to see two representatives in the best XI after their respective solid showings on Saturday night. 

 

Here we round up the best XI from the penultimate group stage matches... 

 

Yann Sommer (Switzerland) - 9.63 

 

Rather than save the best until last, Yann Sommer earned a WhoScored rating of 9.63 in Switzerland's 1-1 draw with Spain, that not only enough to land the player of the week award, but is the best rated performance in a League A match this season. Sommer made a total of six saves in the stalemate, two of them to deny Sergio Ramos from the penalty spot, with his heroics enough to secure his spot between the sticks in this XI. 

 

Denzel Dumfries (Netherlands) - 7.98 

 

The first of four Netherlands representatives in this side, Frank de Boer finally earned his first win as head coach at the fifth time of asking as the Oranje picked up a 3-1 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina. Denzel Dumfries played a key role from right-back in the win, providing the assist for Georginio Wijnaldum to bag the opener after six minutes and again for Memphis Depay 10 minutes after the restart. The 24-year-old's two assists came from two key passes and contributed to a WhoScored rating of 7.98. 

 

Francesco Acerbi (Italy) - 7.53 

 

Remaining in Group 1, Italy's 2-0 win over Poland means it is all to play for heading into the final round of UEFA Nations League matches. Francesco Acerbi put in a solid shift at the heart of the defence for the Azzurri as his performance warranted a WhoScored rating of 7.53. The 32-year-old won six of his seven contested aerial duels and was proactive at the back for Roberto Mancini's side, making two tackles, two interceptions and two clearances to feature in defence. 

 

Marcus Danielson (Sweden) - 7.81 

 

Partnering Acerbi at the heart of the defence, Marcus Danielson endured a UEFA Nations League debut of mixed emotions in Sweden's 2-1 win over Croatia. The centre-back doubled Sweden's advantage on the stroke of half time, but it was his own goal 10 minutes from time that set up a nervy finish at the Friends Arena. Nevertheless, eight clearances and five aerial duels won meant that, despite his own goal, Danielson still makes the XI with a WhoScored rating of 7.81. 

 

Philipp Max (Germany) - 7.75 

 

Another player to impress on his first UEFA Nations League game of the season, Philipp Max rounds off the defence after a fine showing in Germany's 3-1 win over Ukraine. Max was unable to have a direct hand in a goal, but it wasn't for want of trying as he made six key passes in the victory; no player has made more in a League A game in 2020/21. An additional four tackles and one interception saw the left-back yield a WhoScored rating of 7.75. 

 

Georginio Wijnaldum (Netherlands) - 8.35 

 

The star man from Netherlands' 3-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georginio Wijnaldum netted twice in the comfortable victory, both of which came in the opening 13 minutes on Sunday evening. Wijnaldum's brace came from three shots and he was unlucky not to register an assist as he made two key passes. The Liverpool man was solid in possession as he returned a 95.2% pass success rate to help secure a place in this team with a WhoScored rating of 8.35. 

 

England star Grealish misses out on Nations League XI to ex-Man Utd flop

 

N'Golo Kante (France) - 8.70 

 

N'Golo Kante scored just his second France goal of his career in their 1-0 win in Portugal on Saturday night to book the world champions' spot in the UEFA Nations League finals at the Selecao's expense. The Chelsea midfielder hit the back of the net with his only shot and was again at this imperious best off the ball as he made five tackles and five interceptions to keep the Portugal attack at bay and return a fine WhoScored rating of 8.70 in the process. 

 

Youri Tielemans (Belgium) - 8.13 

 

Youri Tielemans put in a man of the match showing as Belgium ended England's hopes of securing a spot in the UEFA Nations League finals for the second time running. Tielemans fired the Red Devils ahead with just 10 minutes on the clock as he found a way past Jordan Pickford with his only shot of the game. The Leicester ace worked hard out of possession, too, making four interceptions and three clearances to finish the midfield with a WhoScored rating of 8.13. 

 

Steven Berghuis (Netherlands) - 8.10 

 

The penultimate Dutch player to make this XI, Steven Berghuis provided the assist for Georginio Wijnaldum's second goal after 13 minutes of the Netherlands' 3-1 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina over the weekend. That assist came from one of two key passes, while the Feyenoord attacker routinely chanced his luck as he mustered eight shots in total. With additional returns of one dribble, one tackle and one interception, Berghuis features on the right flank with a WhoScored rating of 8.10. 

 

Timo Werner (Germany) - 8.23 

 

Spearheading the offensive in this XI, Timo Werner maintained his good run of form, with a brace in Germany's 3-1 win over Ukraine, extending his scoring streak to five matches for club and country in the process. His brace came from four shots, while additional returns of one of key pass and one successful dribble saw Werner earn the WhoScored man of the match award with a rating of 8.23. 

 

Memphis Depay (Netherlands) - 8.27 

 

The fourth and final Netherlands representative in the best XI is Memphis Depay as he landed a WhoScored rating of 8.27 against Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Lyon forward scored the Oranje's third shortly after the break, netting with one of four shots. Two successful dribbles and one key pass contributed towards his inclusion in the team of the week after his showing over the weekend.

England star Grealish misses out on Nations League XI to ex-Man Utd flop