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With Euro 2020 kicking off on June 11th, we are now at the end of the first Gameweek. Having seen all 24 teams in action, we now have a fair idea of what to expect from the different sides participating in the tournament.
2018 World Cup winners France got their campaign underway last night and came out victorious in an enthralling game against Germany. Through a fighting 1-0 victory, France showed viewers worldwide why they have been identified as favorites at Euro 2020.
On that note, let's take a look at the top five most valuable players in the current French squad.
#5. Antoine Griezmann | £54 million
Antoine Griezmann is a name that divides opinion among fans worldwide. A France regular since 2014, Griezmann has always excelled for Les Bleus.
Arguably France's best player during their triumphant World Cup run of 2018, Griezmann is surely one of the first names on Didier Deschamps' team sheet. His World Cup exploits sparked the interest of Spanish heavyweight FC Barcelona, who signed him in 2019. Barca triggered the Frenchman's release clause, worth a mammoth £107 million at the time.
Since then, one could argue that Griezmann is yet to hit his best stride at the club level. His numbers over the past two seasons have been ordinary, and Barca no longer seem the force they once were.
Griezmann recently turned 30, and with Barcelona in financial trouble, his club future seems to be in doubt. Currenly valued at £54 million, his performance at Euro 2020 could help set the right asking price for buyers in the market.
#4. Paul Pogba | £54 million
Paul Pogba is one of the most heavily debated players in the footballing world, especially in the buildup to Euro 2020. A French player since 2013, Pogba has divided opinion among fans and pundits worldwide.
The midfielder has been the subject of intense media scrutiny since 2016 when Manchester United signed him for a reported £89.3 million. He became the world's most expensive player at the time, and whether or not he has warranted his price tag remains to be seen. So far, the Frenchman has won only two trophies with the Red Devils over five seasons.
Pogba has been the polar opposite for France. His performances have consistently improved over time, with the 28-year-old often looking incapable of errors. He was a key member of the 2018 World Cup triumph, even bagging a goal in the final.
Pogba is currently valued at £54 million. Having been linked with a move away from Old Trafford for the last two years, Euro 2020 could be vital in determining where the Frenchman will play next.
#3. Kingsley Coman | £58.5 million
Not many players can challenge the accomplishments that Kingsley Coman already has to his name. The 25-year-old has had a spectacular career so far, winning several trophies with different teams.
Graduating from the Paris Saint-Germain youth system, Coman made his way to the first team, becoming the youngest ever player for the French side. He spent a year with PSG before moving to Italian giants Juventus.
The youngster spent three years in Turin, but only featured sporadically for the Old Lady. In 2016, he was sent on a two-year loan to Bayern Munich for a reported £6 million. He impressed at the club, earning himself a permanent move to the Allianz Arena in 2017.
Still only 25, the youngster boasts an incredible collection of trophies. He has won the league title with his club every year for the last eight years. Having won domestic titles in France, Italy and Germany, Coman was also a part of the 2018 World Cup-winning France squad. He is currently valued at £58.5 million and will look to shine at Euro 2020.
#2. Raphael Varane | £63 million
Raphael Varane is one of the best defenders of this generation. The Frenchman has had a star-studded career, winning all the club competitions he has participated in.
A mainstay in the French defense since 2013, Varane is well known for his intelligent defending. Varane is one of a select few players to win the UEFA Champions League four times, featuring heavily in all of Real Madrid's victories in the 2010s. A regular starter for Los Blancos, Varane has played a key role for his club over the past ten years.
Varane has consistently impressed for Les Bleus as well and was part of the World Cup winning squad of 2018. He has always looked at home in the French defence and is a commanding centre-back of the highest caliber.
The 28-year-old is valued at £63 million and will look to add another winner's medal to his collection at Euro 2020.
#1. Kylian Mbappe | £144 million
Kylian Mbappe is arguably one of the best players in the world at the moment. The youngster has enjoyed an unbelievable career so far and is often touted as the best young player in football today.
At 22 years of age, Mbappe has one hell of a CV. He initially burst onto the scene with Monaco and won a league title with the French club. His brilliant attacking ability attracted the attention of PSG, who signed the youngster on loan in 2017. The loan was later turned into a transfer, with PSG paying a reported £124 million, plus £30 million in add-ons for Mbappe, making him the second-most expensive transfer in history after club teammate Neymar.
His club career since has been nothing short of phenomenal. Mbappe has won three league titles in the four years since transferring to PSG, scoring a mammoth 78 goals in 80 league appearances. His goalscoring numbers are truly world-class, with only the likes of Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski managing more than him in this time period.
His four years with Les Bleus have been magnificent as well. The then teenager was a key member of the 2018 World Cup squad. Mbappe burst onto the international stage with his performances against Argentina and Croatia cementing his status as one of modern football's deadliest players. The winger topped off a brilliant campaign with a goal in the final, becoming only the second teenager in history to do so after Pele.
Currently valued at a massive £144 million, it is safe to say that Mbappe is destined for greatness. Several European heavyweights are reportedly keeping tabs on the youngster and Euro 2020 could very well help decide where Mbappe's club future could lie.
Also Read: Jim Beglin's column - 5 players who could impress in unfamiliar positions
