GK
Pickford
Jordan Pickford has been in exceptional form this season in the Premier League for Everton, and with no questions marks around the goalkeepers’ position for the first tournament in a long while for England, I’m expecting Pickford to perform well this summer. His form combined with the fact that Gareth Southgate generally organises a very stingy defence in tournament football, means I can see Pickford taking the Golden Glove home with him too. Admittedly the level of goalkeepers in Europe at the moment is not at its highest level compared to some of the South Americans around now. Someone who I think will also have a good tournament is Manuel Neuer, no surprise really but I can see Germany making a strong push for this trophy, and Neuer will be a huge leader in that if so.
RB
Joao Cancelo
In qualifying Portugal had a free-flowing attack and considering they are in one of the weaker groups this tournament, I expect them to continue that trend. That means I can see Cancelo having a big influence on the attack with his dribbling and final ball. Cancelo will claim a few assists this tournament and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him pop up on the scoresheet at some point. He is also going to be playing for a move as his parent club Man City don’t want him and Barcelona are still struggling financially so he doesn’t know where he’s going to play next season yet. Portugal playing a 3-back will suit Cancelo as a wingback with licence to get forward and less defensive responsibilities.
CB
Jonathan Tah
A name I have heard for a number of years over in Germany but he’s never really staked his claim on the international scene as of yet. I expect on the back of his exceptional Bayer Leverkusen season, Tah to continue that form and be the backbone of a successful German side. A strong ball playing centre half who is currently looking like Bayern Munich’s next centre half, Jonathan Tah, will be complemented well with most likely Rudiger next to him, a very dominating and daunting prospect for opposition attackers.
CB
Ibrahima Konate
Now as an Arsenal fan I cannot comprehend how Saliba does not start for the French side. If he were to, I could see him in this position instead, however as it stands Ibrahima Konate has been starting for France and I do think he is also a top-quality defender. Brute force at the back, with blistering pace, Konate is a modern centre half, built like a machine. I still have flashbacks of Martinelli dribbling down the wing, seeing Konate and literally turning round mid-dribble. He’s an aggressive central defender who I believe best suits a calm leader like Virgil Van Djik next to him, potentially William Saliba but doubtful. If Konate is fully fit though I can see him having a strong tournament.
LB
Nuno Mendes
This one was close between Theo Hernandez and Nuno Mendes, as I believe Theo will have a big role to play down France’s left with Mbappe cutting in from the wing. Even still, I decided to go with Nuno Mendes, with very similar logic to the Joao Cancelo pick. Portugal will most likely adopt a 3 back approach meaning their attacks will be reliant on their wing backs. Mendes has explosive pace down that left side and will look to get to the byline time and time again, cutting it back for Ronaldo and Fernandes. I’m expecting Portugal’s wing backs to provide a major threat this tournament if they are going to do well.
CM
Wirtz
The 20-year-old has been on fire this season for Bayer Leverkusen and like Tah I fully expect him to continue his fine form into these Euros. Playing as the no.10 with Musiala and Sane in behind Havertz I can really see Germany causing a big stir with some impressive attacking performances. I expect them to be free flowing, fluid and operate with a press high with their young forwards. Wirtz could be at the heart of it all, with an eye for a goal he will chip in for a fair share for sure. This kid is special and I think he will announce his name on the world stage in this tournament now.
CM
Bellingham
The main man himself, Jude Bellingham, for some reason he is starting to split opinion here in England. He has to be the heartbeat of the England team this tournament, especially against bigger nations, Bellingham is that player who steps up, puffs his chest out and demands the ball. He may have veered away from his early season form a bit these last couple months but he has played out of position at Madrid. In the centre of the park now with England he will have the license to create and I expect him to have a big tournament, driving our boys on.
CM
Kroos
The legend himself, Toni Kroos, one of the finest midfielders we have even seen, who could get his fairytale ending. I think Germany will go deep into this tournament, whether they can win it is a big ask but very much doable. With Kroos coming out of international retirement for this tournament I think we’re going to see that elegance just dictating games throughout the tournament. He won’t go score 3 or 4 goals but he will run games like he’s always done. Surrounded by a young attack for Germany I think we will see Kroos just set the tempo for every game he plays and use that experience he has to get his younger teammates through their games.
RW
Saka
England’s little chilli, he always seems to perform well at international tournaments, maybe it’s the slower pace of games, maybe teams don’t double up on him so much but Bukayo Saka has arguably been England’s most consistent player these last couple of years. I think with a month or so of rest under his belt now I think we can expect to see a dynamic Saka cutting in and driving to the by line, committing his full back time and time again. He will pose a constant threat in behind teams and he will cause them headaches with his pace and aggressive drives at the defence. I’m expecting a few assists and definitely a few goals from the Arsenal lad and he will be a key player this tournament.
ST
Cristiano Ronaldo
Bit of a shock here, everyone is writing Cristiano Ronaldo off but I actually think he will have a good tournament. Portugal’s attack is their strong point, with them being the top scorers in qualifying and Ronaldo being their main man again. He looks sharp going off of his pre-tournament friendlies, with a brace in the last one. Ronaldo will surely have a point to prove back here in Europe as everyone laughed him off to the Saudi league, and we all know a determined Ronaldo, is a dangerous one. He won’t have to press so high with his side in the 3 back formation and Bruno Fernandes in behind finding him, Ronaldo is my ‘dark horse’ shout for the golden boot.
LW
Mbappe
Not really much to justify here, but Mbappe hasn’t looked at his best this year at PSG, cutting a frustrated figure often and dropped from the line up on several occasions. He was merely a ghost in the champions league knockout games, despite his two goals against Barcelona, he did not perform anywhere near his level. Now he has had his future sorted with Real Madrid, we should see a happy Kylian Mbappe enjoying his football again, which could mean he is in the mood to terrorise defences. If he is in the mood then there’s not many defenders on the planet who can live with Kylian and his electric pace, many people’s favourite for the golden boot and it would be no surprise if he did win it.
Player of the tournament – Mbappe
Young player of the tournament – Wirtz
Golden boot – Cristiano Ronaldo