Euro 2020 – Teams To Follow!!

We are less than 10 days from the start of the UEFA Euro 2020 competition! With that in mind, there is so much excitement leading up to the tournament.

As teams are announced, and lineups are composed, it’s time to look at these teams seriously. I will be sharing with you all, my top 3 teams to watch in this years’ competition.

England – The Three Lions!

Could this be the year we see the lions roar? That is the question that many pundits across the world seem to be asking as they analyze the teams in depth.

As the tournament approaches, Gareth Southgate announced the squad confirmed for the tournament! In short but sweet fashion, this is a team that screams talent, youth and experience all throughout. Looking at this team and seeing big names like Jack Grealish, Harry Kane, Mason Mount, Marcus Rashford, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham, it is impossible not to be amazed!

England is a team that oozes youth and superb talent. If you look at the lineup carefully, the English Premier League and the Bundesliga are well represented in both aspects. In addition, having people in this squad with the experience like Harry Maguire, Rashford and Jordan Pickford, is a huge asset to a team that has every component to win this tournament. In my opinion, easily the team that could win it all as all positions are strongly covered by Southgate.

France – Les Bleus.

Here is another team with huge aspirations on this tournament and rightfully so!

Didier Deschamps has finished compiling his 26-man roster and it is another one that will highly contest for the trophy in Euro 2020. Starting with their goalkeeping choices of Hugo Lloris, Maignan and Mandanda. 3 superior and highly reliable keepers at the top of their game currently and highly sought after. Then, as you look further down the roster, you see names like Kante (Champions league winner), Griezmann, Mbappe, Benzema and Giroud. Yes, you’re reading that correctly.

Seeing the names on this roster, it leads me to think that France will have a 4-3-3 formation. Here is what I would picture for the French lineup in this competition:

• Lloris (GK). Kimpembe, Varane, Lenglet, Kounde (DEF).
• Kante, Pogba, Coman (MID)
• Mbappe, Benzema, Griezmann (FWD).

Better watch out! Les Bleus could also contend for this tournament and in strong fashion!

Spain – La Furia Roja!

I will start with the unfortunate known-news that Sergio Ramos is set to miss the tournament.

However, the good news is simply that this is a great team moving forward regardless! Luis Enrique, the now boss of the Spanish Men National Team has selected his 26 man roster and there is zero disappointment altogether. Looking at the roster in full, experience, youth and versatility ooze around this roster.

The Spanish fanbase should be very excited about this team for all the right reasons. While Ramos will be missed sorely, there is more to look forward than his leadership. The likes of Eric Garcia, Aymeric Laporte, Ferran Torres, Gerard Moreno, Rodri, and Thiago show everything you need to know ahead of this teams’ style of play come Euro 2020 time. The most interesting part for me is seeing Morata, Koke and Busquets back in this team as their experience representing the red shirt will be of huge value to the rest of this youthful team. If I was to guess how this team could potentially lineup for the tournament, my guess would be a 4-3-1-2 formation as well. Here is what that lineup would consist of:

• David De Gea (GK). Pau Torres, Laporte, Eric Garcia, Cesar Azpilicueta (DEF).
• Rodri, Thiago, Busquets, Moreno (Midfield)
• Morata, Ferran Torres (Forward).

Interestingly enough, this could be a team that many may deem a sleeper. There are plenty of reasons to think this especially when the likes of a Andres Iniesta and Deco aren’t part of the team anymore. However, this is a team that could also be highly competitive and driven to prove that Spain has a lot to offer to European Football still.

In Closing…

The Euro 2020 will be a sensational tournament to watch. The tournament in itself marks a time in football where we see the regime transfer from one generation of footballers to another. In example, this year we are noticing less and less of the “Ronaldo vs. Messi” arguments and more of the “Mbappe vs. Haaland” talks. We are also seeing how teams are not having to truly depend on their previous leaders, in example the aforementioned Spanish team without Sergio Ramos.

As we enter a new era in football, it is time to adapt to newer talent. 2021 certainly offers this opportunity and the first go around is with these Euro 2020 teams.

In closing, my prediction is that the youth and talent of the English football team will be a lot to handle for some of these other nations. We’ve seen how in the latest club competitions, the level of play altogether in the English Premier League has been elevated to new heights and I thoroughly expect that to be the case in this tournament as well. The roster selected by Southgate is one of youth, many different skill sets available but most importantly, talent and eagerness!

Only 10 more days to go! Good luck to all in the Euro 2020 competition.

~Diego Galvis (@Diego_TheDJ on Twitter).