Best XI: Men's players to watch at Tokyo 2020 🤩

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Phil Costa·20 July 2021

Best XI: Men's players to watch at Tokyo 2020 🤩

Missing that buzz from Euro 2020? Don’t worry – Olympics football is only around the corner!

We’ve made an XI of players to watch at the tournament, who are established, exciting and unknown in equal measure.

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(Maximum two players per country).

GK: Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico)

There weren’t many goalkeepers who caught our eye but you know who did? Guillermo Ochoa who is still immortalised after the 2014 World Cup.

RB: Dani Alves (Brazil)

You read that correctly. Dani Alves – who recently turned 38 – has been selected for Brazil and we’re expecting some magic from right back.

CB: Takehiro Tomiyasu (Japan)

Heavily linked with Tottenham during the summer transfer window, Tomiyasu is an exciting, all-action defender that simply loves defending.

CB: Nehuen Pérez (Argentina)

He hasn’t yet played for Atlético Madrid, but Pérez looks like the perfect Cholo player with committed defending, bravery and strong distribution.

LB: Melvin Bard (France)

After being surprisingly sold by Lyon (to Nice), Bard will be hoping to make an impression for France – a really well-rounded, energetic defender.

DM: Arne Maier (Germany)

Maier has struggled with injuries but you cannot doubt his quality. Can sit as the deepest midfielder and dictate play, but also snap into challenges.

CM: Bruno Guimarães (Brazil)

We’re calling it now: Bruno Guimarães will be a €50m player in the next year or two. Keep your eyes out for this brilliantly well-rounded midfielder.

CM: Pedri (Spain)

If you don’t know about Pedri by now – then where have you been! The teenager bossed Euro 2020 for Spain and is now ready to shine in Tokyo.

RW: Diego Lainez (Mexico)

The only member of the Mexican squad to play his football out of the country. Lainez is technically gifted, energetic and can create magic from nothing.