While there will be no club football throughout the summer, all eyes will be on the European team that will win Euro 2024. The favorites going into the championship competition are France and England, but the defending champions Germany, Spain, and Italy should never be taken lightly.
But in addition to the favorites, Denmark and Belgium, who have little chance of winning, are also traveling to Germany to compete for the coveted trophy. In actuality, though, each contending country will be depending on a single exceptional player to provide the goods in an effort to win the European Championship.
But who stands out above the rest from the talented field we will be seeing compete this summer?Mike Maignan of AC Milan has adapted to life at the international level like a duck to water, despite the fact that Hugo Lloris’s successes as a goalie for his country made taking over as France’s goalkeeper appear daunting.
The 28-year-old is the best goalkeeper at the tournament this summer because of his commanding presence in between the posts in addition to his solid ability to stop shots. Maignan will be hoping to make an impact in Germany and win over manager Didier Deschamps. In his 13 games as a France player, he has conceded seven goals and maintained seven clean sheets.Kyle Walker is recognized as superior to others because of his speed, agility, and defensive prowess. If the Manchester City defender makes the England team, he will be one of their most seasoned players with 81 caps for his country—a quality that is often underappreciated.
Walker is still one of the best right backs in the Premier League at the age of 33, and some even contend that the former Spurs star is the greatest right back the top division has ever produced. Aside from his inherent skill, the defender is a proven winner, having won five Premier League championships under Pep Guardiola. In tournament football, it is an invaluable quality.After a dismal season with Liverpool in 2022–2023, many believed that Virgil van Dijk’s finest form was behind him. However, he has demonstrated this season that it was only a blip, as the Reds are once again in the title picture as a result of the Dutchman’s succession of commanding displays.
Van Dijk has been just as significant on the international front, emerging victorious from most of his aerial duels and displaying poise in the face of adversity. The 32-year-old is currently leading the team and will be crucial to whatever success they have at Euro 2024. The Netherlands have always had outstanding center backs; the pairing of Ronald Koeman and Jaap Stam come to mind.William Saliba may not have much experience with the France team, but his reputation as one of the best center backs in the world cannot be questioned, at least not just yet. The 22-year-old returned to north London determined to make an impact after spending many years abroad on loan. He did, in fact. Saliba made a name for himself as one of the greatest defenders in the world very quickly, and he and Brazilian Gabriel form one of the most deadly duos in the English premier league. However, it is now time for the former Saint-Etienne prospect to make an impression with France. The world is his oyster, he has the technical ability to dominate play from deep and speed to burn.
Although players like Andrew Robertson and Alejandro Grimaldo may feel unfairly treated in this situation, Theo Hernandez of France is a talented player who is too hard to overlook. Despite having a paltry 23 caps for France compared to others, he is an absolutely indispensable member of Les Bleus’ back line, as the summer will demonstrate.
Although fans of the Premier League may be blissfully oblivious of Hernandez’s brilliance on the left side of defense, the Marseille-born star’s skill is undeniable given the several awards he has won, including a Serie A crown, a FIFA Club World Cup, and a Champions League.Not many facets of the beautiful game are beyond Rodri’s skill set. The 27-year-old Spaniard is Manchester City’s most crucial player because he can disrupt play, move the ball upfield, and, most importantly, take the game by storm.
La Roja’s adaptability is similarly crucial because his teammates can count on him to be there when they need him in the middle of the park. Rodri has been a key member of Manchester City’s midfield since his arrival in 2019, and he is keen to repeat that performance this summer on the international scene.
