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With Euro 2020 around the corner, national team managers have announced their 26-man squads for the tournament.
Portugal and France are among the favourites to win Euro 2020, courtesy of their incredible strength and depth in every position. Portugal are the defending champions, beating France in the Euro 2016 final.
Also Read: Fabrizio Romano’s Transfer Roundup: Update on Lionel Messi’s contract, Chelsea’s plan for the summer and more.
Cristiano Ronaldo will, unquestionably, be Portugal's biggest superstar at the Euros. However, they also boast of tremendous talent at every position, and manager Fernando Santos has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal to choose from.
On that note, let's look at the strongest possible starting XI for Portugal at UEFA Euro 2020.
Goalkeeper- Rui Patricio (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Rui Patricio has quietly done a good job at Wolverhampton Wanderers since joining them in 2018. He will most likely be the starting goalkeeper for Portugal at Euro 2020.
With 92 caps, the 33-year old is one of the more experienced members of the Portugal team. Wolves did not enjoy the best of seasons this time around. But Patricio was a solid performer, so Portugal manager Fernando Santos will rely on the custodian for his experience and pedigree.
The former Sporting man made 37 Premier League appearances this season, keeping ten clean sheets. Patricio could prove to be one of the best goalkeepers at Euro 2020.
Other options: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Rui Silva (Granada).
Also Read: UEFA Euro 2020: 5 biggest stars left out of Spain's squad.
Right-back - Joao Cancelo (Manchester City)
Joao Cancelo was one of Manchester City's key players this season, helping them romp to the Premier League title and reach the Champions League final.
Cancelo did not enjoy a good first season with Manchester City but was highly impressive during his second season. Utilised in both full-back positions by Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, the 27-year old shone, thanks to his technical prowess.
Comfortable in possession, the former Inter Milan and Juventus player made 28 Premier League appearances, scoring two goals and providing three assists. He could be an asset at Euro 2020.
Cancelo has played 26 games for Portugal, scoring four goals and providing three assists.
Centre-back - Pepe (Porto)
Pepe is still going strong at the age of 38. He enjoyed another excellent season with Portuguese giants Porto and could be a vital player for Portugal at Euro 2020.
The centre-back, renowned for his spell with Real Madrid, where he made 334 appearances in all competitions, is currently in his second stint with Porto. An aggressive centre-back, Pepe has often been criticised for his style of play, but it is hard to argue about his quality as a defender.
Pepe has had 113 caps for Portugal, and his experience will be vital for the Portugal backline at Euro 2020. He will have to curb his enthusiasm on occasions, though.
Centre-back- Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Arguably the best centre-back in the world right now, Ruben Dias enjoyed a stellar debut season with Manchester City and is almost a certainty to start at Euro 2020.
Eyebrows were raised when Manchester City splurged £61.2 million last summer to acquire him from Benfica. However, Dias responded in fine fashion. The 24-year old is a physically gifted, aggressive centre-back who is comfortable on the ball.
Such were Dias' performances for Manchester City this season that he has been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award.
If Manchester City had won the Champions League, it would not have been surprising to see the centre-back receive a Ballon d'Or nomination as well. A strong Euro 2020 campaign for Portugal could still see Dias secure that nomination.
Left-back- Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
One of the most underrated players in the game, Raphael Guerreiro, has had a wonderful spell at Borussia Dortmund.
Guerreiro joined Borussia Dortmund from Lorient in 2016 for £10.8 million. He has been a consistent presence in the Dortmund first XI in four of his five seasons at the club. Capable of playing as a left-back and in midfield, the 27-year old will be an useful player to have at Euro 2020.
The former Caen man made 27 Bundesliga appearances this season for Borussia Dortmund, scoring five goals and providing ten assists. At Euro 2020, his passing and creativity could be key for Portugal.
Guerreiro has made 45 appearances for Portugal, including five in their victorious Euro 2016 campaign.
Other options: Nelson Semedo (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jose Fonte (Lille), Nuno Mendes (Sporting CP)
Also Read: UEFA Euro 2020: 5 biggest stars left out of England's provisional squad.
Central midfielder- Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain)
Danilo Pereira's signing was not received well by then-Paris Saint-Germain manager Thomas Tuchel, who wanted a centre-back instead.
Pereira was utilised initially as a centre-back by Tuchel before his deal was made permanent this year. The 29-year old is a strong defensive midfielder and a good passer. He will likely be tasked with providing defensive stability in Portugal's midfield at Euro 2020.
The former Porto man made just 16 starts in Ligue 1 this season, as Paris Saint-Germain finished second in the league. He was used as a central defender, defensive midfielder and in central midfield this season. Pereira, who has made 45 appearances for Portugal, is likely to be used in defence at Euro 2020.
Central midfielder- Joao Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
Like Rui Patricio, Pepe and Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Moutinho is a highly experienced player who could be vital for his country at Euro 2020.
The 34-year old is an elegant midfielder capable of controlling the tempo of the game with his passing. Calm and composed on the ball, Moutinho is an ideal addition to the Portugal midfield at Euro 2020. He will likely be protected defensively by Danilo Pereira and will not have to shoulder the burden of joining the attack like Bruno Fernandes.
Moutinho made 33 appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring one goal and providing one assist. His fitness record is commendable as well. He has played 130 games for Portugal, with 15 of them coming in three different editions of the Euros.
Attacking midfielder- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
The best midfielder in the Premier League this season, Bruno Fernandes, was a key player for Manchester United.
After joining United from Sporting CP in January 2020 for £49.5 million, Fernandes has transformed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side. His creativity and goals from midfield have been crucial, while his drive, intensity and leadership ability have been highly appreciated and could be key at Euro 2020.
The 26-year old made 37 Premier League appearances, scoring 18 goals and providing 12 assists in 2020-21. Fatigue could be a factor, though, with Fernandes soaking in a lot of minutes for Manchester United this season.
He has scored only twice in 27 appearances for Portugal, something he'll look to improve in his debut Euro campaign.
Other options: William Carvalho (Real Betis), Renato Sanches (Lille), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP), Sergio Oliveira (Porto), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Joao Palhinha (Sporting CP)/
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for France | UEFA Euro 2020.
Right-winger - Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Bernardo Silva was a solid performer for Manchester City in the recently-concluded 2020-21 season.
Silva joined Manchester City from AS Monaco in 2017 for £45 million after enjoying a good season as a winger for the Ligue 1 club. At City, Silva started operating as a midfielder and has impressed with his performances.
Capable of playing in midfield and as a winger, the 26-year-old is a creative player with good passing ability. An intelligent operator, Silva could prove to be key for Portugal at Euro 2020.
He has made 54 appearances for Portugal, scoring seven times and providing 18 assists, as he looks forward to his maiden Euro campaign.
Centre-forward - Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)
One of the best players to have played the game, Cristiano Ronaldo, will captain Portugal at Euro 2020.
Juventus endured a poor 2020-21 season, but Ronaldo produced an impressive individual campaign. The 36-year-old, who has 173 caps and 103 goals for the Portugal, made 33 Serie A appearances, scoring 29 goals.
Euro 2020 might be Cristiano Ronaldo's fifth and last appearance at the Euros, so he will be keen to help his team make a successful title defence. He certainly has a better squad around him this time, compared to that in 2016.
Left-winger - Diogo Jota (Liverpool)
Diogo Jota's Liverpool career started in the best possible manner, but injury issues did not help his cause.
The 24-year-old joined Liverpool from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer for £40 million. He was hailed as a shrewd acquisition by Liverpool, as Jota enjoyed a stunning start to his Liverpool career before injuries plagued his campaign.
The former Porto man made just 12 starts in the Premier League but managed to score an impressive nine goals despite his limited appearances. A versatile forward, Jota can operate on both wings and as a striker, if need be, at Euro 2020.
He has made just 12 appearances for Portugal, but none of them have come at a major tournament.
Other options: Andre Silva (Eintracht Frankfurt), Rafa Silva (Benfica), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid).
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for the Netherlands | UEFA Euro 2020.
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