Euro 2024 hosts Germany have the highest quality squad at the tournament, according to stats boffins.
Julian Nagelsmann’s side come into the event in good form, with recent marquee wins over the likes of France and the Netherlands. Additionally, the anticipated impact of raucous home crowds has seen Germany rated among the contenders for the title, though, few consider them to be the standout team.
That honour has been reserved for England or France, who each boast squads brimming with quality in host of areas. While the likes of Spain, Portugal and even the Netherlands are also seen as threats.
But, according to data from analytics firm Twenty First Group. Die Mannschaft have the highest average ‘Player Quality’ of any side in the competition.
The model accounts for factors including player performance, age and position to generate an overall value for a player.
Germany have been in improved form since former Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann took the reins in September 2023
According to the data, the hosts have the highest average ‘Player Quality’ at the tournament
The model has installed Harry Kane as the best player at the European Championships this year
By this metric, the hosts have the strongest squad on paper, ahead of both England France, whose rosters are only marginally separated in second and third respectively.
Germany have one of the most exciting and dynamic attacking midfield tandems, with Bayer Leverkusen star Florian Wirtz and Bayern Munich forward Jamal Musiala set to cause havoc for defenses this summer.
Behind them, veteran Toni Kroos – who recently lifted his sixth Champions League – remains an elite performer despite announcing that he will be calling time on his stunning career after the tournament.
In defence, his Real Madrid team-mate Antonio Rudiger anchors the backline and is, according to the data, the side’s best player. The consistency of the German squad gives them an average ‘Player Quality’ higher than any other but both England and France have individuals the Germans would be delighted to have in their ranks.
Harry Kane is not only England’s best player but the best player at the tournament, beating the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.
Gareth Southgate’s side’s average ‘Player Quality’ is dragged down by some players in the squad.
France are the team with the smallest range in quality at the tournament. Didier Deschamp’s side go into every tournament as one of the leading contenders because of the frankly ludicrous options he has in most positions.
In addition to Mbappe, Les Blues can call upon William Saliba, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann to name just a few.
Rather surprisingly, Portugal – tipped by many to be in the group of frontrunners for the title – are the seventh strongest squad in terms of quality behind defending champions Italy, Netherlands and Spain.
‘Player Quality’ data from data from analytics firm Twenty First Group accounts for factors including player performance, age and position
France’s squad is brimming with exceptional talent and they are the side with the small range of abilities
Portgual are not as fancied in the data as they are among bookmakers heading into the tournament
Manchester City’s Silva has been highlighted as their key man in a roster packed full of stars across Europe. Roberto Martinez’s side kick off their campaign against Czechia next Tuesday before clashes against Turkey and Georgia.
The Crusaders will be competing in the tournament for the very first time. The European minnows have been installed as the nation with the worst average ‘Player Quality’ behind Hungary, Slovenia, Romania and Albania.
Elsewhere, Scotland have been evaluated as the seventh-weakest team at the tournament. Steve Clarke’s side play against hosts Germany in the opening match of Euro 2024 at the Allianz Arena on Friday.
No side headed to the tournament has a bigger range in ‘Player Quality’ than Scotland.
As well as Slovenia, who are ranked in the bottom five, England’s other Group C opponents will be Serbia and Denmark.
Serbia, who England face in their Euro 2024 opener, have been ranked in the top 10, a place behind fellow Group C side Denmark
According to the data, there is not much between the respective sides with the Danes sitting only a place ahead of Serbia in ninth.
The group is the only one in the tournament to contain three sides in the top 10 of the list.
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