Spurs at Euro 2016: Three players to watch

At this summer’s European Championship finals, Spurs should have no fewer than eleven representatives in France.

Article by Nathan Flint @nathflint

Predictably, most are English but we also have an interest in a couple of other groups. Hugo Lloris is captain for both Spurs and France; our Belgian contingent could all be involved (Nacer Chadli is still on standby) while defenders Ben Davies and Kevin Wimmer will represent Wales and Austria, respectively.

But who should we be keeping an eye on this summer? Which of our players have the best chance of returning to White Hart Lane as a European Champion? Here are the three Spurs players that could have the greatest impact on Euro 2016.

Hugo Lloris, France

Lloris made his France debut back in 2008 and has since gone on to represent his country 73 times. He has never been past the quarter-final stage of a major international tournament as the first two in which he appeared – Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 – ended in group stage exits for the French as they failed to win any games.

Things have picked up in the last few years. France were eliminated in the quarter-finals of both Euro 2012 and World Cup 2014 and will be looking to progress further this time around. Home advantage should really benefit France – on the previous two occasions (1984, 1998) that they’ve hosted a finals tournament they also claimed the trophy.

They also have one of the best squads they’ve had in years. There’s quality and experience running right through the team, along with some wonderfully talented youngsters in Paul Pogba, Anthony Martial and Kingsley Coman.

Lloris will captain the side in what will be the realisation of a career ambition as he does so in his home country. As the highest-capped player in the squad, the goalkeeper’s experience will be vital for France. They will be able to count on the proactive shot-stopper to provide a dependable last line of defence, which will allow their creative talents to do the damage up the other end of the pitch.

Spurs’ number one will need to take control of a sometimes suspect defence to provide a foundation on which France can build. Their better defenders are ageing slightly, while players like Mangala, Koscielny and Rami are all capable of going from the sublime to the ridiculous.

If Lloris can marshall the back-line effectively and France’s attackers shine then they will be in the mix come July. In fact, home advantage could carry them all the way to the title. Would you begrudge Hugo some much-deserved glory?

Mousa Dembele, Belgium

The Belgians have suffered much in recent times; they failed to qualify for five tournaments in a row between World Cup 2002 and World Cup 2014. In fact, this is their first appearance at a European Championship finals since they co-hosted Euro 2000.

Things are a lot different now, and that is in part due to the wealth of talent at their disposal. We’re familiar with some names more than others, but for me it is Mousa Dembele (from Belgium’s Spurs contingent) that will have the biggest impact on any success. It goes without saying that Belgium will need Tottenham’s centre-half pairing of the imperious Toby Alderweireld and cultured Jan Vertonghen to continue their fine form from their seasons at club level. But the energy, and especially the ball retention, of Mousa Dembele will be vital for Belgium.

Having represented his country on 63 occasions, Dembele is the fourth most capped player in Belgium’s squad. Due to the omission of Steven Defour, it’s expected that Dembele will form a midfield axis with Axel Witsel, screening the defence and bursting forward to start attacks.

Dembele maintained a pass accuracy of 90% over Tottenham’s season as well as making more tackles per game than anyone else in the squad and more interceptions than any of his midfield colleagues. Renowned for his dribbling ability, he completes twice as many dribbles per game than anyone else in the Spurs squad.

Possession is a bigger part of the game at international level, and Dembele’s ability on the ball will be invaluable for Belgium. If he is allowed to run the midfield, break up play and lay the ball off for players like Kevin De Bryune, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku then Belgium will go far – perhaps, all the way.

Dele Alli/Harry Kane, England

I’ve got Alli and Kane listed as a pair, because I feel their understanding will be vital to England’s chances of success in France. With just 18 caps and 6 goals between them, they are lacking international experience, but together they form one of the most potent partnerships in European football right now.

A stellar partnership at club level yielded 35 goals this past season, with another 10 assists on top. Most of those were ‘Alli to Kane’, and Roy Hodgson will hope that the two can continue their telepathic understanding at international level.

Alli scored his first international goal – a wonder strike against France at Wembley – back in November. Kane already has five goals in eleven caps after scoring on his debut as well as three goals in his first four games. He has shown evidence of his ability to make the transition to international level with an equaliser in the recent defeat of Germany and the opening goal in the recent friendly victory over Turkey, after an assist from – you guessed it – Dele Alli.

Some may believe that it is too soon for Dele Alli to start, while others may go for Vardy over Kane. I disagree with both opinions, and here’s why. For me, the only question over Alli is his temperament. In terms of pure footballing ability he is one of – if not the best player England have – certainly ahead of Jack Wilshere – and as mentioned his partnership with Kane could prove a devastating weapon for England. Kane should be preferred to Vardy, primarily down to being a better all-round player. Vardy’s pace will be useful against tiring defences in the later stages of games but Kane’s all round ability – finishing, movement – should mean he is England’s first choice striker.

Could they go all the way? Who knows – but it’ll be fun finding out.

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