Goalkeeper : Manuel Neuer : Germany
The Bayern Munich Sweeper keeper was his usual excellent self in the crucial tie with Italy. The 30 year old did incredibly well to keep out a bottom corner-bound penalty from Bonucci. Up until the Italy game Neuer had rarely been tested, excluding a phenomenal save from a Slovakian header which proved he was still at the top of his game. As a result Germnay have conceded just once in total this tournament and have kept 4 clean sheets, the likes of Ter Stegen and Leno should pack their bags for holiday as they won't be replacing Neuer anytime soon.
Left back : Ben Davies : Wales
The former Swansea full back has struggled for game time at Tottenham this season but will be rather smug to see himself in the Semi Final unlike his rival, England's Danny Rose. Davies has started in the left of a back 3 and alongside Williams and Chester he has helped to maintain a solid Welsh back line. A sliding goal line clearance in the opening minutes of his first game against Slovakia epitomises Davies's remarkable performance this campaign when many thought he would be a vulnerable chink in the Welsh armour. Davies will miss out of the clash with Portugal due to suspension, most likely James Collins will eagerly snatch his place.
Central defence : Jerome Boateng : Germany
Similarly to Davies Boateng made a fantastic goal line clearance in Germany's first game of the tournament to ensure Ukraine went a whole campaign goalless. Matt Hummels has also put in an exceptional display however Boateng gets the nod, not only for his dramatic defensive heroics and thunderbolt against Slovakia, but also for his ability to make the trickiest of players look like children on a playground when he dispossesses them with ease. An otherwise perfect tournament thus far has been dented by a penalty gifted to the Italians for handball, some may argue Boateng should keep his hands down whereas on the other hand it could be suggested that Boateng was trying his best not to foul Bonucci. All the same expect a professional performance from the former Man City man against the likes of Giroud,Payet and Griezmann on Thursday.
Central Defence : Pepe : Portugal
Pepe started off the tournament poorly with clean sheets hard to come by against mediocre opposition such as Iceland and Hungary. However Ricardo Carvalho must take some blame, the 38 year old has been far from convincing and was dropped after the group stages for Fonte. Since then Pepe has put in very respectable displays which must be credited, keeping a clean sheet against the lethal Spanish killers, Croatia, is no easy feat. Crucial blocks against Poland combined with good positioning saw Milik and Lewandowski frustrated for large parts. Pepe offers resilience which has seen Portugal to 5 draws in 90 mins throughout the tournament, unlike Wales, Portugal can boast that they are undefeated this tournament despite some disappointing showings. Pepe has been subject to individual training after a muscle strain - Wales will be cruelly hoping the Real Madrid man does not recover in time to stop their man Bale up top.
Right back : Joshua Kimmich : Germany
Kimmich is in fact a central midfielder however the 21 year old has put in an honourable shift at right back for the World Champions. The Bayern Munich man, the third but not final in this squad, has got forward on numerous occasions and his final delivery has been excellent, most profoundly against Italy but also Northern Ireland. Despite just starting three games Kimmich has all but cemented himself as Germany's first choice right back in response to Lahm's retirement.
Central Midfield : Aaron Ramsey : Wales
Arguably the best midfielder at the tournament so far Ramsey has provided Wales with the drive to see them through to the Semi-Finals against all odds. To Portugal's relief the buzzing midfielder is suspended for their tie. His record of 4 assists is equal to that of his Premier League record last season, all be it in 24 fewer appearances ! Alongside Joe Allen Wales have two high quality passers who seem to excel in their country's colours when compared to their less noticeable club form. Dare I say player of the tournament ?
Central Midfield : Toni Kroos : Germany
As usual a commanding display from the Real Madrid man who all too often unfairly goes under the radar. A 93% pass accuracy tells you all you need to know about the 26 year old's neat and simple playstyle. Despite only registering one assist the German machine is built around this engine in midfield, without him it's clear they could break down against the French tanks of Paul Pogba and Laurent Koscielny of France. Kroos already has a Bundesliga, Champions League and World Cup title to his name, experience and pressure are unlikely to get to Kroos in Germany's most important game thus far. Is he soon to add a Euro title to his startling collection ?
Central Midfield : Renato Sanches : Bayern Munich
With a £29 million transfer fee dangling from his eye-catching dreadlocks many were expecting big things from the former Benfica player. Sanches made an undeniable impact against Hungary when he came on for the second half and sparked Portugal to life, he had the same effect against Croatia, his physicality is truly frightening as he dominated the midfield. Sanches was deserving of a start against Poland where he put in a MOTM display which a fierce strike reflective of his explosive display. Some will argue that Sanches has not done enough to merit a place in this squad ahead of the likes of Pogba,Ozil or even Allen, however Portugal would not be at this stage without the services of such a hot prospect at just 18 years of age.
Left Forward: Dimitri Payet : France
France are sure to adopt West Ham's song 'We've got Payet' (cue French translation) after the creative midfielder dug them out of a draw with Romania in their opening game with a curling strike. Payet has scored 3 in total and has one eye on the golden boot, yet he's in close competition with fellow teammates Giroud and Griezmann as well as Bale. Payet's value has skyrocketed from the £10 million transfer to West Ham at the beginning of the 2015/16 season, this is unsurprising as L'equipe have crowned Payet as France's star player and saviour. Averaging over 3 shots a game Payet has acquired 3 goals and 2 assists, equalling Ramsey's goal and assist total, he will be France's number one threat to Germany.
Striker : Gareth Bale : Wales
The Welsh symbol has not had a bad game this tournament something other world class stars such as Ronaldo, Muller and Lewandowski can't boast. Bale has truly risen to his potential this tournament and given everything for Wales to get them this far, most notably 2 long range free kicks in the group stages. There is no doubt that Bale has been the best Real Madrid player at the tournament ahead of Ronaldo, Kroos, Modric and Pepe, but does Ramsey pip him to the post of best Welsh player ? It depends whether Bale can conjure up some more magic against Portugal in Lyon come Wednesday., 4 MOTM performances and an average of 4 shots a game suggests it's well within his seemingly endless capabilities.
Right Forward : Antoine Griezmann : France
Griezmann was disappointing in France's first game against Romania, perhaps jaded by the recent Champions League final loss. However the forward is now a firm French favourite thanks to his clinical finishing and instinctive off the ball movement which has seen France come out on top against Albania, the Republic of Ireland and most recently Iceland. Griezmann is leading Ramsey and Payet with a total of 6 goals and assists in just four games, an astonishing record for the Atletico Madridsta which could see him on the move to the EPL with Mourinho sniffing at his racing heels.
No Cedric?
ReplyDeleteAlthough Cedric has impressed he was undeniably at fault for Poland's goal and has only made 2 appearances meaning he hasn't displayed his full capabilities.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you've grasped the concept of sarcasm
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your interest on the post
ReplyDelete