How did these five players make the squad list to Qatar?

Dani Alves was named in the Brazilian team to Qatar at 39, the question is why? (Photo credit: FIFA)

The World Cup is knocking and national team coaches are dropping their final squad lists while some shock names are emerging, we list five players whom we think don’t deserve a place on the plane to Qatar either for their injury records or current club form.

5: Kalvin Phillips

The Manchester City defensive midfielder has only played a grand total of 40mins of football this season and he got on the Qatar plane ahead of players like James Ward Prowse; Gareth Southgate could have favored another forward player like Ivan Toney and moved Eric Dier to DM if need be… Strange.

4: Hakim Ziyech

What is happening to Morocco? How can the head coach pick a player that has not kicked enough football for Chelsea this season? The winger is suffering from an identity crisis and his inclusion in the team to Qatar is not going to add any value. Another strange decision.

3: Mario Goetze

This is heartwarming to many but how did Hansi Flick pick Mario Goetze over high-flying midfielders in the German Bundesliga?  It’s understandable that the 2014 World Cup final hero has rediscovered himself at Eintracht Frankfurt but is he the best pick from the available lot?

2: Dani Alves

Brazil coach Tite announced his World Cup squad in midweek and a certain Gabriel Martinelli made the list but if his Arsenal form justifies his inclusion, how about 39-year-old Dani Alves? You talk up experience like you don’t already have Tiago Silva and Marquinhos in the same defense, why?

1: Romelu Lukaku

Belgium is gifted with lots of forward players and options of false 9s but how did Romelu Lukaku get the nod despite his horrendous form at Inter Milan? He is a bull and will beat any defender on his day but when was the last time he was in his element? Is Roberto Martinez afraid of something?