07 June,2021 01:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
(L-R) Jan Vertonghen, Jordi Alba and Clement Lenglet. All Pictures/ AFP
The much-awaited Euro 2020 season is scheduled to begin on June 11 with Turkey facing Italy. The Euro 2020 will see 24 teams battle it out for the title in a month-long season. Although strikers have been the players to usually grab everyone's attention, these defenders play huge roles in their respective teams and could be deciding factors in matches. Let's take a look at the top five defenders to look out for at Euro 2020.
The 24-year-old footballer is one of the most promising players this season. He made his debut for the Portugal team in 2018 and has played 27 matches with 2 goals to his name. Dias plays for the EPL team and current champions Manchester City. In his first EPL season, Dias was named the Premier League Player of the Season and has a lot of hopes riding on him. He previously played for Benfica and won the Primeira title with them in 2018-2019.
The English footballer is the skipper of the Manchester United team and is one of the top defenders in the English Premier League and plays in the centre-back position. The 28-year-old's move to Man United from Leicester City was one of the most expensive for a defender. He played for clubs such as Sheffield United, Hull City and Wigan Athletic. Maguire made his debut for the England team in 2017 and has played 32 games with 3 goals.
The 32-year-old Alba is one of the top defenders at the Euro 2020 and will be looking to bring his experience to the field. Alba made his debut for Spain in 2011 and has appeared in 72 games scoring 8 goals. He won the Euro 2012 along with Spain and also appeared at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups. Alba is considered as one of the finest left-back players of his time and played for Valencia in 74 games before he moved to Barcelona in 2012. Alba has since played 259 games for the La Liga giants scoring 13 goals. He has won 5 La Liga and Copa del Rey titles each, 1 UEFA Champions League, 1 FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA SuperCup with FC Barcelona.
The 25-year-old French footballer is among the most talented defenders today and will be eager to perform on the big stage. Lenglet has played 12 games for France, debuting in 2019. In his club career, he first played for French club Nancy before he moved to La Liga playing for Sevilla in 52 games scoring 3 goals. In 2018, Lenglet was purchased by Barcelona and has since appeared in 84 games with 4 goals to his name. He has won 1 La Liga and Copa del Rey title each with Barcelona.
Ever since his debut for Belgium in 2007, Vertonghen has played 127 games scoring 9 goals. At the FIFA World Cup 2018, Belgium came in third. The 34-year-old footballer plays for the football club Benfica and his role is that of a central defender or a left-back. He began his club career with Ajax in 2006 appearing in 155 matches scoring 23 goals. He is the winner of two KNVB Cup and Eredivisie titles with Ajax. Jan was part of the EPL Club Tottenham Hotspur between 2012-2020 and appeared in 232 games and also won Spurs' Player of the Year award in 2018.
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