Euro 2016 is over so we’ve ranked the performances of the eleven Spurs players involved.
11. Harry Kane
Kane had a terrible tournament, standing out as a particularly poor performer in an England team where very few players came away with their reputations enhanced. Looking tired and more importantly isolated in Roy Hodgson’s tactical mess, Kane was rarely a threat to opposition defenders. His misery was compounded by Hodgson’s bizarre decision to make him take nearly every set-piece. Let’s hope Kane can bounce back at international level under the next England manager.
10. Kevin Wimmer
The Austrian centre-back’s low ranking is no fault of his own. Wimmer only featured in one match, coming on as a 87th minute substitute in a 0-0 draw with the eventual tournament winners Portugal. It would be the only point that Austria would win, as they finished bottom of the group and were eliminated from the competition, ending Wimmer’s hopes of playing more minutes.
9. Mousa Dembele
Controversially dropped for Belgium’s opening game against Italy, Dembele started in the 3-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland before being substituted in the 57th minute, having picked up an ankle injury. The knock ruled Dembele out of the tournament prematurely, which though disappointing for the player, did at least highlight how much Belgium missed him.
8. Dele Alli
Alli was another England player who struggled to find the form that he’d demonstrated at Tottenham last season. Considering his telepathic relationship with Kane, it would have made sense for Alli to play behind the striker as he does for Spurs. Instead he sat deeper in a 4-3-3, frequently finding himself in positions where he could have little influence on the game.
7. Danny Rose
Far from England’s worst performer, Rose nevertheless looked a little less of a threat down the left as he is so frequently for Tottenham and was overshadowed by the performances of his fellow full-back Kyle Walker. Faces a battle to hold onto his place for England when Luke Shaw returns from injury, which will hopefully inspire Rose to even greater heights at club level.
6. Jan Vertonghen
Played out of position at left-back, Vertonghen made a positive contribution both defensively and going forward. Belgium certainly looked worse without him when Vertonghen picked up an injury in training ahead of the quarter-final match with Wales. That injury looks set to see Vertonghen miss the start of the new season for Spurs.
5. Kyle Walker
Though Walker was partially at fault for Iceland’s opening goal in England 2-1 last-16 defeat, he had a good tournament overall. In the group stages Walker looked like one of the best full-backs in the competition, before Hodgson dropped another clanger by resting him and several other players for the final match against Slovakia.
4. Eric Dier
Dier is one of the few English players to have left the tournament having strengthened his position at international level. After scoring from a free-kick against Russia, Dier impressed at the base of the midfield in England’s remaining group games. Was taken off at half-time in the disastrous defeat to Iceland, amidst rumours that he had complained of illness before the match.
3. Toby Alderweireld
Belgium looked capable of reaching the final of Euro 2016 until injuries left Alderweireld as the only senior defender in their back four, resulting in a 3-1 loss to Wales. Up to that point Toby had looked his reliable best in defence and silky smooth when going forward. Having spent much of his international career at right-back, you’d hope that Belgium would now play him in his best position.
2. Ben Davies
Davies helped Wales to the semi-finals only to miss the match through suspension. Playing on the left side of a back three, rather than his normal full-back position, Davies looked comfortable as a central defender. Davies’ adaptability presents Mauricio Pochettino with another option at centre-back, especially if he decides to play a 3-5-2 at any point this season. His confidence is also likely to have been given a timely boost, as he continues to adapt to life on the big stage at Spurs.
1. Hugo Lloris
It said much for Lloris’ high standards that he looked so crestfallen after France’s shock defeat to Portugal. Beaten from long-range by Eder, you sensed that Lloris blamed himself for the loss. This is of course nonsense, considering that the shot was very well struck and that Lloris had kept France in the tournament at times with his acrobatic saves. The biggest compliment that we can give to our wonderful captain is that no other keeper in the competition looked better than him.