At the Qatar World Cup 2022, Spurs had 11 players representing their respected nations on the world’s biggest stage, with Christian Romero bagging the ultimate prize with Argentina, becoming a World Cup-winning defender, and playing a pivotal role for the ‘La Albiceleste’.
With the Euros coming this summer, Germany is set to play host to some European heavyweights, and we’re going to be looking at which Spurs player has the best chance at bringing the trophy home.
Not everyone’s place on the plane is certain, however, we can certainly speculate on who will potentially be on, who will miss out, and who’s a sure thing to represent their nation this summer.
England
During the 2018 World Cup, Spurs boasted 5 players in the England squad, with the likes of Eric Dier, Harry Kane, Danny Rose, Dele Alli, and Kieran Trippier making the Three Lions proud by making it to the semi-finals but failing to reach the final since their last triumph in 1966.
On this occasion, Spurs will likely only have 1 man representing them for England, and that’s our vice-captain, James Maddison. The Englishman has been in blistering form for Spurs this season and since signing from Leicester for a coup price of just £40m. Maddison has 12 goal involvements in 17 league games this season, which has forced him into Gareth Southgate’s plans. He has won 5 caps for the Three Lions so far.
Maddison isn’t likely to start for England, with Southgate potentially preferring the midfield trio of Rice, Trent, and Bellingham. He could potentially play on the wing; however, England has a glut of great options on the wing, and it’s not Maddison’s best position.
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Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has excelled in an advanced role this season, which will potentially affect Maddison’s starting spot as both now occupy the same position.
I can see Maddison getting plenty of game time off the bench and potentially even earning a starting spot if he performs well during the tournament run. Bring it home, Madders.
Forster’s days of England call-ups are over, with competition from the likes of Pickford, Ramsdale, Johnstone, an injured pope, Henderson, etc. However, you never know, a large injury crisis could see the Spurs man sneak his way onto the plane as the 3rd choice goalkeeper.
Eric Dier could very much play his way back into Southgate’s England squad as he’s relishing his start to life with the Bavarian champions. Gareth may see his experience playing in German stadiums as a benefit to go with his 49 caps for England and versatility, which is something to look out for.
Italy
The Azzurri are the reigning champions of Europe, which is just bizarre considering they failed to qualify for the World Cup in 2022, stretching their absence from the world’s biggest stage to what will be 12 years if they qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Beating England in the final at Wembley will give Italy a lot of confidence heading into this tournament, as their squad will be bolstered with new talents coming through their ranks like their newly capped Destiny Udogie and soon-to-be-capped Guglielmo Vicario.
Vicario has made the transition from club legend and captain Hugo Lloris seamless, and his stellar performances for Empoli last season and Spurs this season have seen him become the backup to Gianluigi Donnarumma, potentially starting in future tournaments if Donnarumma doesn’t perform.
Udogie has broken through and earned 2 caps for Italy already; however, he has a hard task dislodging the excellent Federico Dimarco, who’s been on fire for a rampant Inter Milan. I can only see Udogie coming off the bench and having impactful minutes throughout Italy’s Euro campaign.
Netherlands
Micky is stepping into an Oranje squad that is stacked with defensive talent, giving him plenty of peers to learn from and compete with. Dutch manager Ronald Koeman likes to play with 3 central defenders, meaning Van de Ven is in direct competition with Nathan Ake for that starting LCB spot, as the Oranje will seemingly prefer to play an Ake, Van Dijk, and De Ligt trio.
VDV has 2 caps for Holland already, showcasing a blistering pace in his losing debut vs. France. He’s absolutely on the right track to play a role in Holland’s campaign; he just needs some more time to develop, but he’s well on his way to being as elite as his national compatriots.
Romania
New boy Radu Dragusin has already racked up 13 caps for the Tricolorii and will be a key figure in the backline as Romania looks to match their best-ever progress in the Euros, which was when they reached the quarter-finals back in the Euro 2000s.
Success for Romania and Dragusin will be surviving the group stage as they await a tough bout against Belgium.
Spain
Pedro has recently been rewarded for his fine form with a recall back to the Spanish national team as he looks to end the season strongly to make a strong case that he should be the starting right back for the rest of his international career.
The Spaniard will have a look to prove if he’s to add to his two caps; however, De La Fuente will certainly be encouraged by the players from this season so far.
I can see Porro being pivotal for Spain in a possession-based system and delivering some quality low crosses in this fluid Spanish system.
Bryan Gil has won 4 caps for the senior team; however, it doesn’t look like he’ll be adding to that tally anytime soon, as the diminutive Spanish winger is set to miss out on the Euros due to a severe lack of playing time as well as an unfortunate lack of good performances this season, despite there being a lot of raw potential in him.
Gil’s future looks set to be away from the Tottenham Hotspur stadium this summer, as Spurs seem to get along just fine without him. It would seem best for both parties to cut ties as soon as possible. As much as I like him, he’s just not ready for a club as demanding as Tottenham is.
Denmark –
The Danes were disappointing during the 2022 World Cup as they flattered to deceive. They’ll be looking to their heroic run during Euro 2020 (2021) as inspiration for what they can achieve; however, this squad is ageing, and we’re not sure just how much hunger is left in some of their best, older players, such as Eriksen and Kjaer.
A player operating in the prime of his career, however, is Spurs’ Viking, Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, who is starting to prove people wrong at Spurs this season, as there was plenty of scepticism over his ability to adapt to a new system under Postecoglou, despite his excellent consistency and added goal threat last season.
Pierre has remained the consummate professional and has adapted nicely to Ange’s new system, however, that may not save him from getting moved on in the summer, as Ange could look to bring in a profile that’s a better fit.
Hojbjerg is a warrior for the Danes, boasting 73 caps to his name as he looks certain to reach the 100 club. His leadership and experience will be vital for the Danes to survive the group stage against England as they look to get revenge for the semi-final, where a late Kane goal broke Danish hearts.
Germany
Julian Nagelsmann hasn’t called up Timo Werner for his latest squad, but I don’t think this will be indicative in Timo’s case. He’s starting to find form right now, so if he continues until May, he should be a no-brainer to add firepower to that German squad, who have stuttered at every international tournament since winning the World Cup in 2014.
Timo has a wealth of experience in a German shirt, making 57 appearances for them and scoring 24 goals, which is a good return for an attacker. He just needs to keep up the rich vein of form he’s in, and he’ll surely be on the plane to Germany.
Wales
Wales will be joining the party if they can qualify through the playoffs, with Finland standing in their way. If successful, 3 current Spurs players will be looking to make Cymru proud.
Ben Davies has been a class act off and off the pitch for both club and country for as long as I can remember. A true leader who holds 85 caps for Wales will be looking to deliver another proud Cymru showing as he’s set to play a key role.
Brennan Johnson will also be a key figure on the Welsh attack, although he’s got some gargantuan shoes to fill by the absolute legend that is Gareth Bale. Brennan will be hoping he can inject some more goals into his game as he looks to add to the 2 goals he has so far and 25 appearances. He will need to improve massively, but I can sense it coming.
On loan, Spurs man Joe Rodon is having a stormer of a season in the Championship, and Leeds are hunting down automatic promotion. It’s likely that whether they get promoted or not, Leeds will purchase Rodon due to his excellent performances in a white shirt. Wales will be hoping that Rodon can carry over his top form as the Dragons will need to be defensively sound if Manager Rob Page is to progress in the tournament.
Cuti Romero brought home the last major international trophy. I think if any Spurs player has a chance to win it all this summer, then it’s either Madders or our Italian boys with a successful title defence.
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