Euro 2020 player of the tournament tips: Contenders for top award
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Preview and odds of top player market
The player of the tournament award was introduced at the European Championship in 1996 and has been handed out at the last six editions of the continental competition.
Matthias Sammer scooped the inaugural award and footballing legends such as Zinedine Zidane, Xavi and Andres Iniesta have followed in his footsteps, as has former Leicester midfielder Theodoros Zagorakis!
Here we assess some of the leading contenders this time in our Euro 2020 player of the tournament tips.
Kevin De Bruyne
The midfielder was the Premier League player of the season in 2019/20 having previously won the equivalent award in Germany and he is likely to be pivotal if Belgium go all the way.
There is very little the Manchester City man cannot do and he has the potential to top the table for assists and goals at Euro 2020, so little wonder he is the 8/1 joint-favourite to be named the player of the tournament.
Kylian Mbappe
This award has gone to a France player on two occasions with Zidane’s success in 2000 followed by Antoine Griezmann four years ago and Mbappe is their best hope of adding to that collection at 8/1.
The pacey PSG striker is one of the leading contenders for the Golden Boot but cannot be ruled out in this market either, having improved as a player since the 2018 World Cup when he showed glimpses of his ability.
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes and Portugal team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo have both been priced up at 18/1 and while the latter may be the main man once again, this could be the tournament when the rest of the team steps up to ease the pressure on him.
Fernandes is certainly capable of doing that, with Manchester United much improved since signing the midfielder from Sporting Lisbon.
Having been an essential pick in every fantasy football team all season, Fernandes could be one of the stars of Euro 2020 if the Navigators can plot their route through a tricky group.
Phil Foden
Harry Kane is the shortest price of the England players at 11/1 but Foden offers an alternative option at 20/1.
The midfielder has had to deal with being in and out of the team at Manchester City due to Pep Guardiola’s squad rotation but has been in much better form than team-mate Raheem Sterling and will hope to be rewarded with a place in England’s starting line-up.
He has a habit of popping up with important goals and this could be the tournament when Foden makes an impact on the international stage.
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku (6/1) is just behind 5/1 favourite Kane in the top goalscorer odds but is a much bigger price than the England man to be player of the tournament at 20/1.
With Belgium one of the leading fancies to go all the way, Lukaku could have a crucial role to play and will get plenty of chances to shine playing in front of a midfield possibly containing both De Bruyne and Eden Hazard.
Belgium face Russia, Finland and Denmark in their group so have a great chance of scoring plenty of goals and Lukaku will be full of confidence after his success at Serie A champions Inter Milan this season.
Marcus Rashford
Rashford has been Mr Popular amongst fans of all clubs this season due to his off-field work regarding free school meals. Could that give him an edge when a judging panel decide on the player of the tournament?
It certainly won’t do any harm and Rashford catches the eye at 40/1. The Manchester United man could rival Kane as the man to fire the goals which help England – boosted by playing at Wembley – go further than they did at the 2018 World Cup or Euro 96.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
