Squad Information and Statistics That Back Our EURO 2021 Winner Prediction
The current France squad is one of the best international squads ever assembled in the history of international football, almost on par with the legendary Spanish squad of 2008-2012, which won everything in sight.
The legendary Didier Deschamps has plenty of world-class options in every single position on the pitch, an embarrassment of riches in every sense. The problem with France is not the quality in the squad, it is how to best utilize that quality and find the right combination between several world class stars.
They found the perfect combination at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where they annihilated every single team they faced en-route to winning their second World Cup title. Many of the stars of that campaign are still included in the squad for Euro 2020, hence, the teams has tons of experience combined with the perfect mix of youth as well.
Captain – Hugo Lloris
The French captain is one of the most highly rated goalkeepers of the modern era. Lloris is also the captain of London club Tottenham Hotspurs, and is one of the most popular footballers in the world. He is an excellent shot-stopper, and while he is prone to the odd clanger, Lloris is usually a very reassuring and commanding figure at the back, strengthening their defence multifold.
Defence
France have a very deep squad, with all their players playing for some of the top clubs in the world. Their defence is headlined by the likes of Raphael Varane of Real Madrid and Kimpembe of PSG. Chelsea’s Champions League winner Kurt Zouma is only a reserve center back, such is the strength in depth. On the flanks they have Digne from Everton, Hernandez and Pavard from Bayern Munich, ensuring the defence is absolutely world class.
Midfield
Another department where France have an abundance of riches, their midfield is headlined by the magical N’golo Kante, fresh from his man of the match display in the Champions League final for Chelsea, and an early favourite for the Ballon D’or award as well. Kante is joined by the likes of Paul Pogba and Adrian Rabiot, both highly rated midfielders playing for top clubs.
Attack
The French attack is even more stacked than their midfield, with the biggest news being Karim Benzema’s return from international exile. The Real Madrid forward has been in brilliant form of late, and will be looking to lead the attack alongside probably the best young footballer in the world – Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe would be targeting the Golden Boot, the Golden Ball, as well as the Ballon D’or award at the end of the year, such is his stature in world football right now. There is incredible pace in the French attack as well, with Ousmane Dembele and Kingsley Coman bringing in the heat. Antoine Griezmann and Olivier Giroud are two World Cup 2018 heroes who are not in great form, but can still play a very important role in this tournament.
France’s Recent Performances In International Tournaments
France have always been traditional heavyweights of international football, famously adding the 2000 EURO Cup to the 1998 World Cup as part of the double that created several legends such as Zinedine Zidane and Lilian Thuram among others.
They are currently undergoing their second such period of dominance, after almost winning the 2016 EURO Cup on home soil, as they dominated their way to the final, before succumbing to the underdogs Portugal in the final, despite Cristiano Ronaldo leaving the game in the first half to an unfortunate injury.
The heartache did not last long however, as France stormed through the World Cup qualifiers with a very impressive squad, and then during the actual tournament, displayed the kind of ruthlessness that was expected of them as they were classified as the pre-tournament favourites.
Their toughest clash en route to the final was against Belgium, the number 1 ranked international football team in the world, however, this French squad shone on that night, with their experience taking them over the line for a first World Cup final since 2006, where Zidane infamously headbutted Materazzi and got sent off, before France lost the final to Italy in a penalty shootout.
The unexpected opponents in the final were Croatia, who had a solid tournament of their own till then, eliminating England in a thrilling semifinal clash. The World Cup final is usually a very tight affair, with either 1 goal separating the two sides or a penalty shootout determines the winner. However, this particular final turned out to be a goal-fest, as France hammered Croatia 4-2 in a very entertaining affair, to lift their 2nd World Cup trophy.
France are in imperious form ahead of the the European Championships, with 8 wins and a draw in their 10 EURO Qualifiers, as they breezed to the top of the table. They were dominant in the Nations League as well, and have lost just 1 out of their last 18 matches, that too a meaningless friendly against Finland where they played a weak side.
Other Contenders
England – 1966 World Cup winners England are the joint-favourites to win EURO 2020, despite the fact that they have never won this tournament before in their entire history. England is the only team that can somewhat match France in terms of squad depth, with many brilliant players left out of the final squad for the tournament.
Led by the mercurial Harry Kane who won the 2018 World Cup Golden Boot with 6 goals, England are brimming with confidence as several youngsters have already announced themselves on the big stage, none more so than Mason Mount and Reece James, who were absolutely brilliant in the UCL final as Chelsea beat Manchester City.
Other young players like Declan Rice and Phil Foden have world class potential, and if Gareth Southgate can find the best combination, England will be right up there as a major threat to France’s plans of winning this competition.
Bet on England to win the EURO 2020 @ 6.00
Germany – Another very stacked squad full of versatile players all across the pitch, Germany have been on a downward spiral ever since peaking with the 2014 World Cup trophy in Brazil. Joachim Low has struggled to maintain the same standard in the squad as key players have retired over the years.
However, they still have a world class squad full of up and coming talents such as Kai Havertz, who scored the winner for Chelsea in the UCL Final against Manchester City recently. They also have Leroy Sane and Serge Gnabry on the flanks, with Thomas Muller playing in the middle. All 3 have been very pivotal for Bayern’s success in recent years.
Versatile and solid operators such as Goretzka and Kimmich add a lot of balance to the side, while in form Rudiger and iconic goalkeeper Manuel Neuer will ensure things are kept tight at the back. Germany are 9.00 to win this tournament.
Bet on Germany to win the EURO 2020 @ 8.00
