The old adage goes that goals may win you games, but it is defence that wins you tournaments.
With that in mind, we take a look at the top five defenders you should be looking for to make their mark on Euro 2016.
Laurent Koscielny (France)
So much has been made of the depth and strength of the home nation on paper going forward, however it is in the back line that France may face their toughest challenge. In the absence of a host of stars, including Raphael Varane, Jeremy Matthieu and Mamadou Sakho, the bulk of the defensive responsibilities (and perhaps the host nation’s chances) are set to rest on the shoulders of the veteran Arsenal centre-half.
Koscielny has established himself as one of the premium defenders of the Premier League throughout his tenure, but not has tasted consistent success during his time at the Emirates. He will no doubt get plenty of help from a midfield that boasts a swarm of world-class two-way midfielders including Paul Pogba, Blaise Matuidi and N’Golo Kante, but the tournament provides a chance for Koscielny to leave a legacy at an international level in front of his home fans.
Vital Stats
Age: 30
Height: 1.86cm
Club: Arsenal
Previous Clubs: Guingamp, Tours, Lorient
International Appearances: 23
Toby Alderweireld (Belgium)
To say Toby Alderweireld has had a breakout year for Tottenham speaks volumes about just how professional the Belgian centre-half has been this season. Alderweireld’s career was already going from strength to strength before it, but with his finest season to date, he will now find himself anchoring a tall and imposing Belgian squad that has transitioned from World Cup dark horses to genuine Euro 2016 contenders.
Alderweireld has been touted as a key piece of Marc Wilmots’ Euro 2016 jigsaw, particularly in the absence of captain and centre-half partner Vincent Kompany to injury. The former Ajax and Atletico Madrid centre-back played all 38 league games for a Tottenham side that conceded the fewest goals in the league the season just gone and will likely start alongside team mate Jan Vertonghen come the start of the tournament.
Vital Stats
Age: 27
Height: 1.87cm
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Previous Clubs: Ajax, Atletico Madrid, Southampton (loan)
International Appearances: 52 (1 goal)
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Leonardo Bonucci (Italy)
Typically staunch in defence, the Azzurri have the luxury of including all four Juventus centre-halves that were present throughout the season. Between the four of them, they only conceded 20 goals all season, with seven of them coming in the first six games – an outstanding effort and a clear insight into the mindset of Antonio Conte’s men.
However, it was Bonucci that stamped his authority on the Serie A last season. Not often receiving deserved plaudits in the company of Giorgio Chiellini or Andrea Barzagli, it was Bonucci that was the catalyst for Juventus’ reversal of fortune early in the season and set the foundation for the club’s 32nd Serie A title. If he is able to translate club form onto an international level, then despite their recent troubles, Italy stand a real chance of going one better than their 2012 effort.
Vital Stats
Age: 29
Height: 1.90cm
Club: Juventus
Previous Clubs: Inter, Treviso (loan), Pisa (loan), Bari
International Appearances: 56 (3 goals)
Sergio Ramos (Spain)
Fresh off steering his Real Madrid side to an 11th Champions League title only days ago, Sergio Ramos will be heading to France with an air of confidence and a point to prove. With Iker Casillas’ spot in the Spanish starting XI still in question, Ramos could potentially take the reins (and the captains armband) of a side looking to defend its 2012 title and bounce back after the frustration of their 2014 World Cup campaign.
Questions still remain around the relationship of some players, with a bulk of the squad coming from La Liga rivals Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Ramos himself has had issues with centre-back partner Gerard Pique after publicly calling for the Barcelona captain to “show respect for his fellow players” earlier in the season following Madrid’s exit from the Copa Del Rey. However, Ramos has never let club affiliations affect the national side in the past, and with the spine of Spain’s side all firing at club level there is no reason as to why Ramos cannot be lifting the trophy for the first time as captain come the final.
Vital Stats
Age: 30
Height: 1.83cm
Club: Real Madrid
Previous Clubs: Sevilla
International Appearances: 131 (10 goals)
International Honours: World Cup Winner 2010, Euro Winner 2008, 2012
Mats Hummels (Germany)
Widely regarded as one of the best in the world at what he does, Mats Hummels will have all eyes on him in France at this year’s tournament. Hummels has been the talk of the Bundesliga in recent weeks with his controversial move from Borussia Dortmund to league rivals Bayern Munich and will be looking to silence any critics and cynics that have maligned his move.
Despite not being able to taste any success with Dortmund this season, Hummels appears to have shaken off the ‘World Cup hangover’ that saw his major slump in form during the 2014-15 season. Hummels is also likely to partner new Bayern Munich team mate Jerome Boateng in the heart of a German defence that has struggled in recent times, losing three of its last four internationals as well as its number one FIFA world ranking. If Die Mannschaft is going to go back to back in major tournaments, it is pivotal that Hummels leads from the back.
Vital Stats
Age: 27
Height: 1.91cm
Club: Bayern Munich
Previous Clubs: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund
International Appearances: 46 (4 goals)
International Honours: World Cup Winner 2014
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