Who is England’s most important player ahead of Euro 2024 final vs Spain? | OneFootball

Berlin will be the stage that could see Gareth Southgate’s men end 58 years of hurt. It will be England’s second major international final since the summer of 1966 and their first on foreign soil.

Three years ago, Italy outlasted the Three Lions on penalties at Wembley, so there’s a sense of making amends in Germany’s capital on Sunday.

To say Southgate’s team began slowly before picking up steam would be an understatement. A series of indifferent results led to vocal criticism, but that has since subsided.

It’s been a collective effort, but some performances are more equal than others. So, as UEFA’s showpiece event moves closer, who goes into the showdown as England’s most important player?

Who do pundits think is England’s best player?

Rio Ferdinand hailed Bukayo Saka after the Switzerland win, telling the BBC: “He’s arguably the most important England player because he’s so different to anyone else,” Ferdinand said.

“He’s the one who will run at people beat you one vs one and go behind; even today he played at wing-back and he’s a winger.

“Everything about him just comes off about being so positive and you can’t help but love him.”

Meanwhile, Gary Neville suggested that Harry Kane may not just be England’s best player in the current squad but of all-time.

He told Sky Sports: “I spoke to Wayne Rooney four or five weeks ago before the tournament started and he said Harry Kane is the greatest England player ever.

“I wouldn’t fight to disagree with him either. Harry Kane has been absolutely sensational. I always called him gold when he was at Tottenham, you just know full well that he’s going to deliver for you. He’s a solid character.

“I think he’s obviously below his best in this tournament, it does look like he is carrying something and it wouldn’t surprise me at all if it emerged in a week or two that he’s had issues during the tournament with something that he’s trying to bandage up.”

Former England defender Matt Upson praised Kobbie Manoo for his outstanding performance against the Netherlands in the semi-finals, commenting that he did not seem fazed by the magnitude of the occasion at all.

At 19 years and 82 days, Mainoo became the youngest player to play for England in the semi-final of a major tournament. No England player made more tackles (2) or interceptions (2) than Mainoo against the Dutch.

“If I had to pick a player across the 90 minutes then he would be my Man of the Match,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily at the Euros Podcast. “He was absolutely superb.

“He showed every side to his game and for a player his age, he does not bear the size of the occasion on his shoulders at all.”

Alan Shearer echoed the sentiment of his calm demeanour at only 19 years old.

“Everything about him is class. He is so impressive. He played such a huge part in the first half with his passing and the pace of the passing, but it looks like nothing fazes him at all.

“He just looks so comfortable and at home with everything he is doing.”

Which England player is most likely to win Euro 2024 Player of the Tournament?

Heading into the championship, all eyes were truly on a single individual. Jude Bellingham had completed his debut season with Real Madrid, in which he lifted both La Liga and Champions League titles as well as the consensus pick as the best player in Spain’s top division.

For someone who recently turned 21, the former Birmingham City academy graduate is playing like an experienced veteran. Before the late winner from Ollie Watkins against Oranje, he produced arguably England’s moment of Euro 2024 when his very own late strike forced extra time against Slovakia in a game the Three Lions desperately played and were on course to lose, meaning an early and shameful exit.

His all-round performances, coupled with that piece of individual brilliance, place him arguably in pole position as England’s best hope of seeing one of their own crowned player of the tournament. So far, the Stourbridge native is averaging 0.34 goals per game with a passing accuracy of 87.84%.

Who’s England’s most highly ‘rated’ player at Euro 2024?

Euro 2024 is likely to go down as the tournament of teenagers, with 16-year-old Lamine Yamal shining for Spain. Not far behind, and three years his senior, is Manchester United midfield metronome Mainoo. Mainoo began the competition sitting on the sidelines but has since been thrust into the spotlight following a string of incredible performances that were beyond his years.

Consequently, he goes into the duel with the three-time European champions as England’s best-performing player according to our subjective player ratings, collated from previous articles. Sitting behind him, and arguably performing a silent but effective role, is John Stones. Having endured another challenging season due to fitness issues, the ‘Barnsley Beckenbauer’ has been a rock in England’s defence.

It’s no surprise to see Saka and Bellingham high up in the 7s. Declan Rice and Marc Guéhi haven’t received widespread plaudits, though one can now assume the latter has cemented his berth in England’s backline, which spells trouble for the absent Harry Maguire, who, in truth, has rarely put a foot wrong on international duty.

Cole Palmer brings up the rear. He hasn’t started a game, but Southgate correctly entrusts him to finish strongly and guide England home, which he’s done so in crucial knockout games. Foden hasn’t enjoyed a stellar tournament but, in fairness, has come alive in England’s most recent outings, which bodes well for the final.

To gauge whom Southgate personally relies on, no fewer than four England players have played the maximum 600 minutes (which includes two extra periods): Kyle Walker, Stones, Pickford, and Rice. Bellingham is the other with over 550 minutes played (581), with Lewis Dunk, Joe Gomez, Dean Henderson, and Aaron Ramsdale yet to feature.