Football Ground Map
Football Ground Map
As Euro 2024 continues to edge closer, one of the tournament's favourites to win, France, will once again be expected to go deep in the competition due to the exceptional crop of talent that they obtain.
This is reflected in the Euro winner odds, as Didier Deschamps' men are second most tipped to be crowned Euro 2024 champions this summer, behind Gareth Southgate's England.
In a national side full of top European talent, Kylian Mbappe has been the jewel in the crown of this French side ever since emerging onto the scene in the 2018 World Cup, becoming the youngest player to score in a final since Brazilian football icon, Pele.
His ability to beat a man with scintillating footwork and electric speed, combined with a calmness in front of goal, and the intelligence to combine with his teammates, has allowed the Parisian to rack up a staggering 84 goals and 30 assists in 96 appearances across the last three Ligue 1 seasons.
The 25-year-old is simply breathtaking at his best and is the man that most football fans will be looking towards to make the difference this Euros for France.
While a left-back may not typically be a game-changing outlet for most teams, AC Milan's Theo Hernandez proves to be the exception to the rule, playing mostly as an attacking full-back for both club and country.
Hernandez's game is centred around contributing to his side's attacking play, being involved as a wide left attacking option that looks to get involved in creating opportunities for his teammates, bringing the ball up the pitch through progressive carries and passes, and arriving in the box to score goals.
This could prove vital in unlocking compact defences, as France will dominate the ball against the majority of sides they face. However, when matching up against a team with more quality, the balance must be kept defensively, or they will be susceptible to counter-attacks down that channel.
Since transferring to Real Madrid for €80m plus €20m in add-ons in the summer of 2022, Aurelien Tchouameni's career has rocketed into orbit across the past two seasons, playing a consistent role for the Spanish giants and showcasing his versatility, playing in both midfield and at centre-back.
An ever-present for his national team as well, Tchouameni offers protection to the backline by plugging the gaps in midfield for the opposition attackers, and proficiently plays the ball forward to the more creative outlets.
If France are to be successful this tournament, they will need Tchouameni to be on top of his game to screen the back four, as while his nation does have exceptionally gifted options at centre-back, Deschamps is yet to nail down a partnership that has kept the backdoor shut on a consistent basis.
Lastly, but certainly not least, Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann will once again be key for France this summer, as the 33-year-old is instrumental to his nation's chances of glory, offering a unique skillset that helps connect the team together.
Playing in a deeper forward role between the midfield and attacking lines, the Frenchman's creativity to provide for teammates, and ability to pop up with crucial goals could be the difference for his nation this tournament.
Scoring 27 goals, and assisting a further 21 for Los Colchoneros in 66 appearances across the past two La Liga seasons, Griezmann continues to operate at the upper echelon of European football, and may see this as his last opportunity to lift the Euro trophy before an end to what has been an illustrious international career.
Beginning the tournament in Group D, France face-off against Austria in their opening game of the competition, which, according to the Euro odds 2024, are strong favourites to win.
If France are to lift their first Euros trophy since their last triumph in 2000, they are going to need their big names to step up and be counted for, as it is arguable that they possess the most gifted squad in the tournament.
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