Our world three months ago was very different to the one we’re in today. Liverpool was about to win their first league title in 30 years, summer was fast approaching, and with it the eagerly anticipated 2020 edition of the European Championship. A championship that was set to become a unique experience with various host cities from all four corners of the continent, Dublin to Astana, London to St. Petersburg.
All football fans were bitterly disappointed when the news came of the tournaments year-long suspension, as it bids to give domestic leagues the chance to complete their seasons, along with the hope that spectators will be allowed in to the stadiums next summer.
Last Friday would have marked the curtain-raiser for the tournament, in which a number of countries would have gone into it with high-hopes of success. England were made slight favourites for trophy with the likes of France and Belgium close behind. Other teams such as the technical and fluidity of Spain, would have made them tough to beat, alongside Portugal with their grit and determination lead by Cristiano Ronaldo.
With the disappointment of the tournament being moved still raw, we look at what could have been the potential team of the tournament, by analysing data and player performances for their respective clubs over the course of the season, in addition to the likelihood of their country performing well over the tournament.
The formation will be a common one, with most countries playing a variant of the vastly popular 4-2-3-1, therefore this is the set-up we will go with.
GOALKEEPER- GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA
The goalkeeper position presents a headache in itself, this term has not displayed a stand out keeper from the top five leagues with most being prone to errors over the course of the season, aside from Allisson at Liverpool, but of course he’s Brazillian, so has to be excluded.
You could argue that aside from Allisson, Dean Henderson has won plaudits this season, with some standouts performances. Henderson boasts an impressive Clean Sheet percentage of 37% alongside conceding under a goal game, which is impressive for a newly promoted side. However, it would have been unlikely that Henderson would have played over Pickford, who Southgate has trusted to be his number one.
For the goalkeeping role, I’m going to go out on a limb and pick Gianluigi Donnarumma. It was a choice between him, Manuel Neuer, Thibaut Courtois and David De Gea. Sure, Donnarumma has a slightly worse goals conceded per game ratio than the other three but when you compare them at National team level, I think Donnarumma plays in a side with more stability at the back, and from what we have seen so far in his young career, is less likely to make a rash mistake than the other two, although it was tough to dismiss, in particular Manuel Neuer, because of what he brings to his team as a defender as well as a goalkeeper.
RIGHT BACK- TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
The three that made the shortlist for this role were Dani Carvajal, Benjamin Pavard and Trent Alexander-Arnold. All three are part of sides that were expected to go well throughout the tournament. Carvajal presents a very cultured right back, but has been put under pressure by Nacho, although I would have expected Carvajal to start for Spain. On the other hand, Benjamin Pavard, a centre-back by trade who has found his feet at right-back. He would have played a crucial role in a disciplined French side, but lacks the attacking prowess of the other two on the list.
I think Trent Alexander-Arnold would have been in the team of the tournament had England done well. Although still raw at International level, he displays a wise head on young shoulders, and an attacking prowess that allows his to be branded in the top category of right backs currently. His expected assists per game of 0.3 trumps that of Carvajal and Pavard, therefore he takes the number two shirt.
CENTRE BACKS- VIRGIL VAN DIJK & RAPHAËL VARANE
There is a plethora of choice to put in at centre back, but in reality, it’s who partners Virgil van Dijk. The Dutchman has racked up some impressive figures this season which will inevitably end up in Liverpool lifting the Premier League trophy. Van Dijk is noted for his ability with the ball at his feet and his pass accuracy of over 90% backs this up. However, Van Dijk has also shown his defensive capabilities as well notching up 26 interceptions in 29 domestic games as well as making 216 clearances.
The partner for van Dijk was an interesting choice but I’ve gone for Raphael Varane. Other choices that could have presented a case were Varane’s France partner Samuel Umtiti, Matthijs De Ligt, Georgio Chielleni and even Harry Maguire, after some impressive performances in the Three Lions shirt.
Varane probably doesn’t get the respect he deserves, and in my opinion has warranted himself to be in the top bracket of defenders. Like van Dijk, he has excellent skills on the pass with him completing just under 88% of the passes attempted this season. Varane has also made 20 Interceptions and 110 clearances in just 23 domestic matches for Real Madrid. Crucially though, Varane has made a total of zero errors leading to a goal.
LEFT BACK- JORDI ALBA
If Spain had gone far in the competition, I think Jordi Alba would have played a big role in that happening, therefore he gets the spot here. Honourable mentions go out to Ben Chilwell, Lucas Hernandez as well as more left-field choices such as Ricardo Rodriguez of Switzerland, who has proved to be vital in Switzerland’s rise in football, over the last few years.
Jordi Alba, a product of the famous La Masia academy in Barcelona had to find his feet in senior football away from the Camp Nou, however he found his way back to the Catalan side, and as such, he seems to be getting better with age.
Despite only registering an assist every 8 games or so this season, it is worth noting the service he’s given Spain over the years and he loves the big games, with plenty of experience in massive games for both club and country, I think his experience gives him the edge over other candidates.
CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS- N’GOLO KANTÉ & KEVIN DE BRUYNE
Balance in the centre of the park would have been crucial for the Euro’s and this will be replicated in the players chosen to fill the middle of the park, with a midfield destroyer/ball winner partnering a box-to-box technically gifted player.
The first choice may prove N’Golo Kanté to be the best ball-winning midfielder in the world currently, I was tempted to include Thomas Delaney of Denmark here as the destructive midfielder. The Danes have amassed a strong squad in the last few years, and should they have gone far, I feel Delaney would have been crucial as a midfield ‘six’.
Kanté’s stats are remarkable for a largely possession-based side such as Chelsea, making 2.66 winning tackles per 90, this season, which by far trumps Delaney’s for Dortmund this season.
Partnering Kanté is KDB, Kevin De Bruyne. De Bruyne has cemented his position as one of the best central midfielders in the World under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and with an expected goal and assist figure of 0.77 per 90 it seems inevitable that should Belgium have done well, he would have been in contention for team of the tournament.
RIGHT MIDFIELD- SERGE GNABRY
I’ve gone for Serge Gnabry to fill the wide-right role. Gnabry has unveiled himself to be a remarkable talent this season, building on the initial promise he showed at Arsenal. For a while after Arsenal he struggled to build on his potential, yet since returning to his homeland he has been a revelation, and this season has 12 goals and 11 assists in just 29 games, which is a great return for a wide player.
LEFT MIDFIELD- CRISTIANO RONALDO
An easy one this one, Cristiano Ronaldo takes the spot, Arguably the greatest player in the world alongside Messi for the last ten years. His games to goal ratio is something ridiculous, and even at 35, he’s still Portugal’s go to man for not just his goals, but inspiration and leadership. He dragged Portugal to the Euro 2016 title, and even though he was substituted in the final, his presence on the side-line showed his commitment and leadership of the team.
SECOND STRIKER- KYLIAN MBAPPÉ
It was a toss-up between picking a Second Striker or a number ten. I’ve decided to go for a Second Striker as the creativity of the team can be led by KDB, therefore I’ve got for a more advanced role here. Had we had picked a number ten, I probably would have gone for Dusan Tadic, had they qualified through the play-offs, off the back of two fantastic seasons for Ajax, scoring and assisting plenty, whilst also impressing in a good Serbia side.
However, I’ve gone for a more advanced player, and I’ve chose the mercurial talent that is Kylian Mbappé. Mbappé has a ridiculous expected goal and assist per 90 ration of 1.5, which is an incredible number for someone so young in a ‘top five’ league. The Frenchman impressed at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, and Euro 2020 could have been the tournament where he cemented himself as one of the best in the world.
CENTRE FORWARD- ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI.
Arguably the best in Europe right now, Its Robert Lewandowski. His expected goals per 90 stands at just under a goal a game, which is a very strong figure for such a tough league. Had Harry Kane had a full-season and not come back from injury and going into the tournament not match fit, he could have pushed for the golden boot and a place in the team of the tournament. But for his sheer consistency and match sharpness, I feel that Lewandowski could have pushed a decent Polish side to a respectable finish, and could have earnt himself a role at striker in team of the season.
Predicted team of the tournament had Euro 2020 gone ahead this summer:
Article by: Russell Pope
All data gathered from: fbref.com