The Premier League is the richest and the most watched in the world, and many of the best players have been in action over the past four weeks at Euro 2024, and England’s appearance in the final upped the profile of the English top flight even more.
Though Bundesliga stars Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane started for the Three Lions, Gareth Southgate’s squad was packed with stars from Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Arsenal. And there was a healthy smattering of Premier League names elsewhere, including in the champions’ starting 11 so, with such a big field to choose from, here are my five picks.
Rodri: Spain
La Roja beat England in the final as Chelsea wingback Marc Cucurella crossed for Mikel Oyarzabal to score the late winner, but it was midfield lynchpin Rodri who was named the Player of the Tournament. The 28 year old Manchester City star didn’t finish the final after he hobbled off at half time, a sight which gave the Three Lions hope; but Rodri was in the middle of the celebrations at the final whistle.
The Euro 2024 betting odds installed Spain as favourites once they had beaten Germany in the quarter finals and, as La Roja marched to the title the midfield ace was dominant throughout the tournament; he’s arguably the best defensive midfielder in the world and he’ll certainly be a big player at the 2026 World Cup, where Spain will start as one of the favourites.
Cole Palmer: England
The beaten finalists were one of our SBOTOP picks for the potential winner and they were just one step away. As the tournament wore on Southgate developed the knack for making match-changing substitutions. Brentford’s Ivan Toney scored a hugely impressive spot kick in the penalty shootout win over Switzerland and Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins scored a brilliant semi-final winner over Netherlands. But the sub who England fans were shouting for most often was Chelsea star Cole Palmer. He had an incredible season last term, scoring goals and making assists for fun and he earned the nickname Cold Palmer for his ice cool temperament.
And, true to form, Palmer arrowed in a brilliant shot low into the corner to level for the Three Lions in the final. I suspect he’ll be a starter at the 2026 World Cup.
Christian Eriksen: Denmark
One of the most popular players in the game, Eriksen’s story is heart-warming. The horror of his collapse in Copenhagen at Euro 2021 shocked the football world to its core, and everybody was delighted to see him back in action for Brentford and then Manchester United. To see the Red Devils star in Germany was a sight for sore eyes and he grabbed the headlines when he scored Denmark’s opening goal of the tournament in a 1-1 draw with Slovenia. After the game a delighted Eriksen said: “This time at the Euros my story is different to last time. I felt confident going into the game and I was just happy to be playing. I had in mind that I’d never score at the Euros, I was just happy to help the team with my goal.”
It was one of the best Euro 2024 news stories of the tournament and one with a really happy ending.
William Saliba: France
Arsenal’s classy centre back Saliba was as good as ever during Les Bleus’ underwhelming campaign and he was consistently France’s best player, as Didier Deschamps’ side kept it tight at the back while its expensive set of forwards couldn’t hit a barn door! His superb defending against Spain’s front three of Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Alvaro Morata won Saliba high praise back in France and he was spared a lashing from the notoriously tough French sports paper L’Equipe.
Forwards Ousmane Dembele and Randal Kolo Muani were awarded 4/10 for their performances during Euro 2024 by L’Equipe, while captain Kylian Mbappe scored 3/10.
Saliba was awarded a 6/10…about as good as it gets in the circumstances!
Fabian Schar – Switzerland
Newcastle United wingback Schar is one of the most influential players in the Premier League and for his country, for his versatility and perfect combination of steel and style. He is a tough competitor and not shy to mix it, picking up his fair share of yellow cards, but Schar is also a dangerous customer going forward, with a fierce shot on him.
He can also find the killer ball, putting Breel Embolo through for his goal against England and the Swiss were minutes away from dumping the Three Lions out and booking a semi-final clash with the Netherlands, a game they could easily have won.
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