We’re not even out of the group stages yet at Euro 2016 but already some players are beginning to stand out as the early stars of the tournament. We’ve analysed the official statistics from the tournament so far to determine just who is making the biggest impact in France.
If only we had this to hand when selecting our Fantasy Football teams a couple of weeks back.
Hannor Halldorsson (Iceland)
Stat – Two goals conceded from an average of 19 shots per game.
The Icelandic shot-stopper has been one of the busiest goalkeepers in the tournament thus far, overseeing a porous defence which has been leaking shots at an average of 19 per game – but only two goals conceded so far, mostly down to the heroics of the Bodo/Glimt custodian.
Kyle Walker (England)
Stat – 11 successful dribbles in opposition half in just 2 starts.
Walker has been duelling with Nathaniel Clyne for the slot on the right side of the English defence but it’s the Spurs man who has proved to be the more effective player, going forward at least, and has registered 11 successful dribbles in the opposition half. To contextualise that for you, that’s the same amount as Dimitri Payet has managed for France.
Jordi Alba (Spain)
Stat – Spanish defence yet to concede a goal.
There hasn’t really been any standout candidates at left back so far in the Euros, though maybe, just maybe, Robbie Brady might have been in contention for his excellent showing against Sweden. But then Stephen Ward happened. Alba has been as good as any left-sided full back in the competition so far.
Ricardo Carvalho (Portugal)
Stat – Part of a defence that concedes just 4 shots per game so far this tournament.
It’s incredible to think that the evergreen Ricardo Carvalho first made his international reputation by being named in the team of the tournament at Euro 2004 and now, some twelve years later, is still the anchor of a Portuguese defence which has proved so difficult to break down.
Chris Smalling (England)
Stat – The most clearances of any player in the tournament, 23.
The Manchester United centre half has improved immeasurably in recent seasons to become the defensive lynchpin in Roy Hodgson’s English defence. Smalling’s head has had an almost magnet-like effect on the ball so far this tournament, singlehandedly repelling numerous attacks on the English rearguard.
Aaron Ramsey (Wales)
Stat – 2 assists AND the most successful tackles in the competition at 11.
The Arsenal man has been in sensational form as Wales upset the odds to top Group B, making massive contributions in both defence and attack for Chris Coleman’s men. Gareth Bale has understandably been getting the headlines, but Ramsey is the heartbeat of the team.
Granit Xhaka (Switzerland)
Stat – Has completed 223 passes so far in the tournament.
The centre of Arsenal’s midfield will have a new look next season when the former Borussia Monchengladbach will add some much needed grit to the Gunners’ midfield. Xhaka has been heralded for his tackling ability and physicality but his distribution of the ball has been where he’s really stood out. The Swiss player’s partnership next season with Aaron Ramsey at the Emirates could be frightening.
Dimitri Payet (France)
Stat – 2 goals and 11 successful dribbles.
The new golden boy of French football has been a revelation so far this tournament and has become a focal point of a French team with designs on winning the tournament on home soil. With all the talk of Pogba and Griezmann in the lead-in to the Euros, it’s been the boy from West Ham who has made the biggest impact.
Gareth Bale (Wales)
Stat – The top scorer in the competition so far with 3.
The Welshman has thoroughly overshadowed the contribution of his illustrious Portuguese club mate, scoring a goal in each of Wales’ group matches so far and proving to be every inch the talisman that the pre-tournament hype demanded him to be.
Alvaro Morata (Spain)
Stat – The Spaniard has bagged two goals so far.
There’s a lot of speculation as to exactly where Alvaro Morata will be employed next season but his performances so far this tournament have surely increased the number of suitors for his signature. Probably Spain’s most natural striker since David Villa.
Romelu Lukaku (Belgium)
Stat – 2 goals so far for the in-demand striker.
In spite of a generally horrific performance against Italy, Lukaku is really only in here by virtue of those two incredibly painful goals he scored against Ireland. His first goal into Darren Randolph’s right-hand corner was beautifully taken, even if that was a very difficult sentence to write. The Belgian will look to maintain a level of form which might earn him a transfer to Paris St. German, Manchester United or Chelsea.
