Only two Brits on 55-man FIFA team of the year shortlist

Joe Williams

Harry Kane and Gareth Bale are the only British players included on a 55-man shortlist for a FIFA team of the year.

The FIFA FIFPro World11 2017 is decided by votes from around 25,000 professional footballers from 75 different countries.

Tottenham and England striker Kane has enjoyed a fine 2017, scoring 34 times in all competitions for club and country, while Welshman Bale won the Champions League and LaLiga with Real Madrid.

Despite the lack of British talent on the list, a total of 12 Premier League players made the cut, including six Manchester United players.

David de Gea, Antonio Valencia, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku are the United men included, alongside Chelsea trio David Luiz, N’Golo Kante and Eden Hazard, Liverpool play-maker Philippe Coutino and Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.

The final 11 will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 23.