EURO countdown (6 days to go) – The best players who will not play in the tournament

The squad list of 26 players from all countries who will participate in the upcoming EURO 2020 was submitted on June 1st, and now we know the names of the lucky ones. National teams coaches were under pressure to name the players and trim their squads, and in the case of some bigger countries (England, Germany, France etc.) it was a really painful process. Unlike most of them, Spanish national team coach Luis Enrique had no such problems, as he is the only coach to name a 24 man squad.

"We don't want to take any more because we want everyone to have a chance of playing, and we know that only around 18 or 19 will actually play“ said Enrique.

The official squad list for every team in the EURO 2020

Fair enough. But even the Spaniard had to leave some players behind. And while the likes of Finland, Czech Republic, North Macedonia or Slovakia didn’t have so many options, bigger teams had lots of players who were not on the 26 man list. So, we decided to bring you another team – and international team of 26 unpicked players, and when you see the names, you will decide for yourself if that team would be a favorite to win the EURO 2020.

Goalkeepers:

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona)

The player wisely choose to have a surgery on a troublesome knee, as he knows he would sit on the bench throughout the tournament, since Manuel Neuer is undisputed number 1.

Alphonse Areola (Fulham)

He’s been better than France’s No.1 and captain this season, but the coach still decided that he is not good as other three keepers (Lloris, Maignan, Mandanda).

Kepa Arrizabalaga (Chelsea)

He was on the bench in the Champions League winning team Chelsea, but was still beaten by mediocre Unai Simon (Athletic, 10th in La Liga) and Robert Sánchez (Brighton, 16th in the Premier League).

EURO countdown (7 days to go) – Let's play a little fantasy game

Defenders:

Sergio Ramos (Real Madrid)

“Yesterday I had the opportunity to communicate it to him. It was difficult and hard. I keep yesterday’s conversation private. It is not easy to convey something that is not positive for him” said Luis Enrique, who had to tell the former National team and Real regular that he won’t even make it to the bench. This is not Sergio’s year for sure....

Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich)

After a great season for Leipzig, Upamecano was bought to Bayern Munich for 6 billion Ksh. The result? He is out of the squad, with Deshamps opting for the likes of Lenglet, Pavard, Varane or even a non-regular Zouma. Unbelievable.

Gianluca Mancini (Roma)

The former Atalanta center-back was excellent for Roma this season, but eventually will sit at home, preparing for the new coach Jose Mourinho. When you are an Italian defender, life is not easy for you.

Sven Botman (Lille)

Another strange decision, this time in the Dutch squad. Patrick van Aanholt and Joel Veltman, playing for basement clubs like Crystal Palace and Brighton were named into the Euro squad, but not Botman. A really interesting choice, considering that the Dutchman was a regular starter (37 out of 38 games) in a Lille squad, the same one who beat all the odds and became French champion, with a best defense in the league.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Manchester United)

If you are a Manchester United’s right back, it doesn’t mean you will automatically play for England. And if you choose between England and DR Congo and select England, maybe this is karma replying. Or some African shaman. 

Ricardo Pereira (Leicester)

If it wasn’t for the injures throughout the season, Leicester full back would surely made the list, but now, a guy like Nelson Semedo is in the squad and not Pereira.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool)

The Liverpool right back was practically rewarded for his subpar performances in Liverpool this season with a EURO 2020 call, but the muscle injury in a friendly against Austria prevented him from participating.

Theo Hernandez (Milan)

The AC Milan star had a fantastic season with seven goals and six assists playing at left-back, but then again, he does play for France....unlucky.

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Midfielders:

Houssem Aouar (Lyon)

At the age of 22, Aouar is another star in the making, but with plenty of experience as well, since the player was Lyon’s Champions League hero of last season. However, more exeperienced Moussa Sissoko was ahead of him, probably for the last time.

Eduardo Camavinga (Rennes)

When one of the greatest talents in the world admits he didn’t have a good season in Rennes, it’s hard to believe that that he would get the chance in such a powerful France squad. The future is his for sure, but not in Euro 2020.

Jesse Lingard (Manchester United)

His fantastic form in the second part of the season while playing for West Ham on loan brought him the call to the National team, but in the end, it was not enough. However, there is a slight chance for Lingard, since Arnold-Alexander got hurt and is out of EURO 2020.

Julian Draxler (PSG)

Even the young Jamal Musiala (Bayern), who showed great potential, (but nothing else), was chosen before Draxler. This will be either a push for Draxler to be even better and force the new coach Hansi Flick to select him the next time, or this is the beginning of a rejuvenation process, where there will be no place for Draxler.

Saul Niguez (Atletico Madrid)

Maybe he is the newly crowned La Liga champion, but his team mates Llorente and Koke are already ahead of him. And to add salt to the wound, Luis Enrique only selected 24 players.

James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)

A wonderful and talented player, a leader of Southampton, a great free kick taker, but this England squad is just loaded with talent. He wouldn’t play even if he was in the squad.

Tanguy Ndombele (Tottenham)

Another Frenchman (how many there is?) whose only ’sin’ is that he is from France. Ndombele is on the long list of great players coming from France, and the team can only have 26 players...

EURO countdown (9 days to go) - 24 teams, 11 host countries, five favourites and only one champion

Forwards:

Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

Watkins had a great season, but England is full of in-form forwards so...

Moise Kean (Everton)

Another head scratcher. The PSG forward, playing on loan from Everton had a good season, and yet, coach Manchini opted for Sassuolo striker Giacoma Raspadori, who scored 13 fewer goals this season, so the Italian stayed at home.

Steven Bergwijn (Tottenham)

When a player struggles in his own team, it’s gonna be a long shot for him to make the national one, especially if that player is from Holland.

Nabil Fekir (Real Betis)

Another brilliant footballer, of which France have an unreasonable number. Had a great season in Betis, and Arsenal are taking a good look at him, but he will be at home in June.

Mason Greenwood (Manchester United)

A striker who spent most of the season playing on the wing is thought to be the most promising prospect Manchester United have produced in recent years, but still managed two goals and one assist having played for 366 minutes in all competitions in the 2020-21 season. There are better strikers out there (for now).

Marco Reus (Borussia Dortmund)

Maybe he knew he wouldn’t be selected, maybe he suspected he would be on the bench, or maybe he really wanted a rest when he said: “After a very intense year for me personally and achieving my goals at BVB, I made the decision to give my body time to recover!”.

Marco Asensio (Real Madrid)

He had the biggest chance of all Real players to be in the Spain squad, but like Sergio Ramos and Dani Carvajal had a difficult season. This will be the first time Spain have gone into a major tournament without a single Madrid representative.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Milan)

The famous Ibra decided to have a go one more time for Sweden, and the national team coach was thrilled to have him, but Father Time didn’t agree. Another injury prevented the Swede (39) ever to play for his country again. Unless he decides to announce himself fit for the World Cup 2022.

And in case you wonder why players like Haaland, Odegaard, Oblak, Tadić or Edin Džeko are not on the list, the answer is: they just weren’t good enough. Maybe they are stars for Dortmund or Real, Ajax, or Roma or Atletico, but their national teams are weak and didn’t qualify for the competition.