Possible EURO 2020 Champions? The Key Players Of World Cup Holders France
The current World Champions are heavy favorites to win their third European Championship which would secure Gold in back-to-back tournaments.
Didier Deschamps’ men are out for redemption after losing the final to Portugal on home soil five years ago which will see the gaffer complete a sensational achievement of winning both the World Cup and Euros as captain and coach.
However, they will have to scale the herculean challenge of the Group of Death with defending Champions Portugal, 2014 World Champions Germany, and Hungary. France has selected an exceptional squad deep with the finest talents across the continent.
Thus, France are global favourites for the tournament and it is difficult to foresee an upset. Also the odds provided by the bookmakers compared in detail at overlyzer.com have helped us identify the key players in a team who could become Champions of Europe.
Kylian Mbappé
France’s Poster Boy just became the first person to win three straight Ligue 1 Golden Boots since Jean-Pierre Papin, and scored 42 times in 47 games in all competitions. He arrives at Euro 2020 carrying most of the weight of expectation on France, when Kylian is at his best, Les Blues are unplayable.
Typically, the France number 10 is not shirking from the pressure that comes with being the leading light for the expectant nation. If Mbappé shows the pace and clinical finishing he displayed at the 2018 World Cup then he could be walking away with a second international trophy in as many tournaments.
Par for the course, he continues to prove his big-game mettle after struggling for goals since the UEFA Champions League latter stages in 2020. The 22-year-old ended his draught in the final group match last season and exploded against Barcelona and Bayern Munich to end his campaign with eight goals from 10 games in the semifinal.
Should he bring that same ruthlessness into the European Championship, France would have a brilliant campaign.
Antoine Griezmann
Player of The Tournament and top scorer at Euro 2016, Grizou is out to impress again, and undeniably has the depth of quality to bring the title home on July 11.
The 30-year-old has had a tough last two years since joining Barcelona but performances at the tail-end of the campaign offered optimism going into the Euros. Griezmann has already hit the ground running with two goals in the warm-up games setting him up nicely.
France’s number seven is a mainstay in the French team with his exquisite link-up play and keen eye for the spectacular. He will flourish behind any striker Deschamps elects to start and hopes are on Griezmann to inspire the attack just as he did in the last two tournaments.
A colorful personality is set to warm hearts with his ingenious goal celebrations.
N’Golo Kanté
The famous quote about the 30-year-old covering 30% of the earth continued to prove true as he inspired Chelsea to Champions League triumph this season. Kanté’s performances create a solid base for the French to attack with confidence and he will recreate that energy and omnipresence this summer.
The diminutive midfielder has been touted for the Ballon D’or in some quarters after his European club exploits and a similarly victorious campaign would make him a frontrunner.
Kanté is one of the most important players in Didier Deschamps’ squad as his reading of the game and ball-winning ability allows Les Blues’ maverick players to flourish.
Absolutely instrumental, the serial winner’s presence is key and what makes France this summer’s team to beat.
Paul Pogba
Having never lost a game in his 26 starts with Kante in Les Blues midfield, Pogba will be looking to bring his best in France’s incredibly tight group.
The Manchester United man always performs on the international stage as one of France’s key players and will again relish his role in the star-studded squad. The 28-year-old enjoys a beautiful career in France colours having tasted individual and collective success right from the junior ranks.
Boasting enough international tournament experience, Pogba’s energy and box-to-box presence will add steel and forward thrust to a talented team.
Raphaël Varane
The defender is reportedly set to leave Real Madrid but after pitting his experience and winning mentality in France’s backline this summer.
Varane is one of the best centre-backs in the world and the leading man in defence will be inspiring his colleagues to the European title. The 28-year-old missed out due to injury five years ago and is focused on making it back to back international trophies in Euro 2020.
Crucially, Varane’s world class defending was perhaps the missing element as they fell at the final hurdle on home soil in 2016.
This time, Deschamps knows his key players are fit and firing to take no prisoners in Euro 2020.