Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo joined by Joe Allen in UEFA Team of the Year shortlist

Daily Mail | November 21, 2016

Ask any football fan whether they would prefer Arsenal star Mesut Ozil or Stoke's Joe Allen in their ultimate dream team and few would hesitate to opt for the silky German playmaker.

But on the back of a special 2016 for Allen, the decision-makers at UEFA would choose the Wales international.

That is according to their 40-man Team of the Year shortlist, which included Allen amongst a smorgasbord of European football's finest players but could find no room for Arsenal's 'king of assists'.

Joe Allen has had a good year with a successful Euro 2016 and a fine start to life at Stoke

Gareth Bale makes up one of eight Real Madrid nominations — Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey join their Wales team-mate in the 40-man shortlist

Gareth Bale is one of three Arsenal nominations

Now in its 15th year, the UEFA Team of the Year will ultimately be decided by the fans and supporters of Stoke and Wales are now sure to be amongst the 7 million expected to contribute to the online vote.