I’ve picked out my fantasy XI for Euro 2020, it was pretty tricky to narrow it down, and I didn’t want to load up with too many from France or Portugal despite very strong squads so tried to include as a few different nations.
GK: Manuel Neuer (Germany): Neuer has been dominant between the sticks and is a proven winner at club level and internationally. Few other good shouts like Thibault Courtois but I stuck with the German.
RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold (England): Controversial I know as there is talk about whether he will even make the England squad and how he’s had an up-and-down season but on his day, his delivery, and ability can be world class. Cancelo was a close runner-up and Azpilicueta but no guarantee the latter will start while I've picked two from Portugal already.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt (Netherlands): I was keen to not pick too many from the same nation throughout my team. Very tempted by Varane, but thought I would go for de Ligt, who perhaps hasn’t been in the limelight as much as he was at Ajax since joining Juventus. Still a great CB.
CB: Ruben Dias (Portugal): With an impact at Manchester City to rival that of Virgil Van Dijk's at Liverpool, Dias could well close out the summer with a successful Euro 2020 and PFA Player of the Year award if he maintains his Herculean form.
LB: David Alaba (Austria) - Alaba is a beast for Bayern Munich and looks set to head to Real Madrid this summer. Alters his position very often, but is a great player, and despite contemplating Andrew Robertson I went with a player who has perhaps a lot more experience on the big stage.
CM: N’Golo Kante (France): Weirdly, midfield were the easiest choices for me. Kante is an absolute engine, covers so much ground, and has been instrumental in recent years including Leicester’s league title, France’s World Cup success, and more recently Chelsea’s Champions League run.
CM: Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium): Very similar to Kante, as an easy choice, De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders in the world and is such a creative force.
LW: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal): You can’t not have Ronaldo right? He’s the joint all-time record goalscorer at the Euros and inspired Portugal to glory in 2016. He is showing no signs of slowing down with age.
RW: Kylian Mbappe (France): The Frenchman has electric pace and it really does say everything you need to know about Mbappe that at just 22-years-old his record this season of 30 goals in 36 outings is being viewed as an average output.
ST: Robert Lewandowski (Poland): The Bayern Munich striker has been one of the most prolific players in the world in the last few years. He romped his way to winning the European Golden Boot with a mind-blowing record of 35 goals in just 25 Bundesliga appearances.
ST: Harry Kane (England): Kane is one of the best finishers in the world and will be desperate to have a big tournament after producing so well for Tottenham in what was a disappointing season for the club. He will be eager to want to show his ability on the big stage after winning World Cup Golden Boot in 2018.
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