Jannik Vestergaard started every match for Denmark at the Euros last year, but he has been left out of their World Cup squad after going 10 months without appearing in the Premier League.
A lack of Leicester City action was decisive in the “unpleasant” call Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand had to make to Jannik Vestergaard to tell him he would not be traveling to Qatar for the World Cup.
Hjulmand named the final five players for his squad at the weekend, ending Vestergaard’s hopes that he would be called up as center-back support. The 30-year-old has been in Denmark’s traveling party for the past two major tournaments, playing every game in their run to the semi-finals at last year’s Euros, but he will be watching events in Qatar from afar.
Vestergaard’s lack of club football has been significant in his fall down the Denmark pecking order. He has not played a single minute for City in the Premier League this season, his last start coming in January, the 3-2 defeat to Spurs. His only games this term have been in the Carabao Cup against Stockport and Newport.
Hjulmand, who visited Vestergaard at City in the build-up to his decision, said it was “so annoying” that the center-back had not been able to play more often. Vestergaard rejected a switch to Fulham in the summer because he believed he would get chances at City.
“It was hard to call him,” Hjulmand said. “I cannot explain how much I appreciate Jannik. During the time I have been a national coach, he has been solid support.
“He has played really, really good international matches. He has been a great leader. He has a head that I like, and he has a personality that has shaped our group.
“Unfortunately, it is not just this autumn that he has not played. That was also the case in the spring. We brought him in in June, even though he hadn’t played all spring. It’s so annoying that he hasn’t had more matches.
“I really hoped he would. I have also been over to visit him. It’s hard when it’s a player and a person you care about and who has done really well. I hope I don’t grow out of thinking it’s unpleasant or regrettable, but it’s not the best part of the job to call and say something like that, and give a message that he is not going to the World Cup.”
Following the news of his exclusion from the squad, Vestergaard posted a heartfelt message to social media. He said he did not expect to be in his current predicament, and that he was missing out on a boyhood dream.
He wrote: “A year ago when I was part of a historic [Euros] finals and later World Cup qualification, I probably didn’t think I’d be in this situation, but a very unlucky sporting 2022 later and here I am. It hurts to have to wave goodbye to a boy’s dream.
“Representing Denmark has brought me the greatest experiences in my career but this battle is not the end. I wish the team, the staff, and all the Danish fans a good tournament.”
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