This is surely Portugal's best XI for Euro 2020
We are fewer than 100 days away from the European Championship finals, and fans of the Portugal national team are hoping to see their nation defend the title they earned against the odds in Paris four years ago.
With Portugal placed in a group containing World Cup 2014 champions Germany and World Cup 2018 winners France, Fernando Santos’ side face a daunting task from the off, with progression from the group itself a tall order.
Santos therefore has some crucial decisions to make to maximise Portugal’s chances of having a successful competition, first and foremost in deciding who takes to the field alongside Cristiano Ronaldo come June.
Pre-tournament friendlies will dictate Santos’ current thinking with regards to his strongest possible team, while also providing a platform for him to potentially experiment with some new faces too, with plenty of talent in the national pool vying for a place in Portugal’s final 23-man squad.
But what is likely to be Santos’ strongest possible starting XI come the summer competition? Barring any further injury setbacks and based on form and performance - and reputation - throughout the year and at national level, here is an attempt to assemble what may undisputedly be Portugal’s best lineup for the Euros:
Goalkeeper: Rui Patricio. Portugal’s most capped goalkeeper in history, Patricio remains the undisputed starter for his country, with no major rival for his starting jersey - particularly through the semi-retirement of Anthony Lopes - and no obvious successor, either, with Jose Sa possibly currently best placed to eventually take over from the Wolves shot-stopper.
Left back: Raphael Guerreiro. The Dortmund man has played further upfield at club level, and has been something of a liability at times when playing left back for Portugal in recent months, but he is still the best option Santos has on the left side of the back four. Mario Rui and Nuno Sequeira will then be battling it out to accompany Guerreiro for the Euros squad - should all three remain fit come the summer.
Centreback: Ruben Dias. The Benfica defender has played every minute of Benfica’s league campaign this season, only missing three matches across all competitions. It means he’s played a stunning 3,420 minutes of football this campaign in all - in other words, 38 matches. We’re only in March. Dias is a guaranteed starter.
Centreback: Pepe. The Porto centreback is 37 year old now, and still going relatively strong. Injuries have hampered him a little this season, limiting him to 16 of Porto’s 23 league games, but when he’s fully fit, he’s in the team. Jose Fonte could well rival him for a starting place, the Lille captain almost everpresent for his club this season. Pepe, though, is expected to get the nod at the Euros, assuming he’s fully fit and suffers no further injury setbacks between now and the tournament.
Right back. Ricardo Pereira. It says a lot about Pereira’s scintilating form that he is almost unanimously seen as Portugal’s starting right back, especially considering the sheer depth Portugal have in this department. Nelson Semedo and Joao Cancelo could have something to say about that, but on current form, there is no doubt the Leicester man needs to start for Portugal.
Defensive midfield: Ruben Neves. The 22-year old was always likely to start for Portugal, but his recent form for Wolves has only further cemented that. Could be dropped for the matches Portugal aren’t expected to dominate for the more physical and defensive-minded Danilo Pereira, but generally, Neves will likely get the nod.
Central midfield: William Carvalho. Perhaps the more controversial pick on this list due to his highly extensive injury problems this season. It’s meant he’s had exceptionally limited game time this season, and could well put his starting spot at risk. At the same time though, there’s plenty of time for him to build up match fitness between now and the tournament - and he’s one of Fernando Santos’ most important players. Portugal are a much poorer side without William on the pitch, and that surely gives him an edge even if he does miss half the season through injury.
Right midfield: Bernardo Silva. This is where things are far easier to predict. Bernardo is an undisputed starter, alongside the likes of Patricio and Ruben Dias. The Manchester City man has stepped up and become arguably Portugal’s best performer in the last year or so, too.
Left midfield: Bruno Fernandes. Fernando Santos’ Portugal typically play a fluid 4-4-2 formation, with the midfield four able to play quite compact to dominate the midfield, while also allowing the registered wingers to stretch the game out wide at will. Bruno Fernandes is therefore the perfect man to fill that slot on the left. He is obviously an undisputed starter alongside Bernardo Silva; it just depends what position he occupies, which ultimately depends on the formation Santos elects.
Second striker: Diogo Jota. Portugal are stacked with talented players to partner Cristiano Ronaldo up front, but there’s one man that’s stood out from the rest in recent weeks and is well on his way to cement a starting place for Portugal ahead of the likes of Joao Felix, Goncalo Guedes, Rafa Silva and Andre Silva. All four of the aforementioned players are likely to be in Portugal’s Euros squad, but surely Jota starts ahead of them all.
Striker: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ricardo Pereira. Photo author: Матч завершен. License link.
