We look back at some of our Topps Now Cards to make a combined XI
With the UEFA EURO 2024™ final tomorrow, we’re getting a little excited. So, rather than picking our favorite Topps Now Cards for part 3 of this series, we’re created a combined starting XI from the two finalists: England & Spain.
In addition to showing you our exclusive UEFA EURO 2024™ Topps Now cards (some of which you can still get your hands on!) we’re also picking out some of our favorite player cards – as well as one sticker – from our past collections.
GK: Jordan Pickford
With crucial saves throughout the tournament and a penalty save in the shootout against Switzerland, Pickford is our Pick. Jordan is also joint record holder for most penalty saves at the tournament: 3 and most Clean Sheets: In 2020.
RB: Kyle Walker
There’s not much in it between Carvajal and Walker, but Kyle’s greater involvement in international competitions means we’re picking the Manchester City man. His speed of recovery and adaptability will be key for this squad.
CB: John Stones
General Stones epitomizes everything a modern centre back should be – with his positional and distribution quality valued above heading and tackling. In fact, Stones has only made 2 tackles in the competition! He has however completed the most passes with 496 completed with a pass accuracy of 95.5%.
CB: Marc Guéhi
Partnering Stones we’ve chosen Marc Guéhi. Like Stones, the 23 year-old has the qualities of a ball-playing centre-back (completing the 5th most passes at the competition) but is is more prepared to engage in the more physical side of the game. Despite playing one game less, Guéhi has made 4 tackles, 3 blocks and recovered the ball 16 more times that Stones.
LB: Marc Cucurella
The Cucurella comeback continues! After a rocky start at Chelsea, Marc recovered to become one of the most consistent performers under Potch – earning him an unlikely call up for Spain. Preferred to Grimaldo – arguably the best left-sided player last season – Cucurella has been chosen for being a good all-rounder know for his industry.
CM: Rodri
Every team needs a Rodri – someone who can set the tempo of a game and provide the seamless transition between defence and attack. As you’d expect, Rodri’s passing stats are exemplary, but Rodri has also covered every blade of grass, leading the stats for distance covered per game: 12.2km.
CM: Fabián
Despite a lackluster season for PSG (by his standards anyway) Fabián has arguably been the player of the tournament. Only his teammate Dani Olmo (5) has been directly involved in more goals (Fabián: two goals and two assists). While being an attacking outlet, Fabián has also rivaled Rodri for his work centrally, having only one touch per game less (87 vs 88) than his midfield partner.
CM: Jude Bellingham
Even Jude would agree that he has had a few flat performances for England, but when it’s counted the Real Madrid man has come up clutch. Few players have the ‘cojones’ to attempt a bicycle-kick in the last minute of the 90 to take Slovakia to extra-time (and England on their way to the quarter-finals).
RW: Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal has been breaking records for fun at the EUROs. The icing on the cake was scoring the goal of the tournament to become the competitions youngest ever goalscorer. It was the third time he’s broken a record in Germany! (Also becoming the youngest ever assist-maker and player). Generational Talent.
ST: Dani Olmo
Yes, we’ve cheated a bit by putting Dani Olmo in at striker, but, when you consider his output, it’s hard not to. Not only does he jointly lead the goalscoring charts (3), but he also has 2 assists – making his G/A per 90 a whopping 1.32.
LW: Nico Williams
When you think of Spain teams of the past, you’ll remember how stacked they were centrally. When Spain dominated Italy in the 2012 UEFA EURO final, it was two technical midfield players (Iniesta and David Silva) who were considered the widest forward. Fast forward to today and the teams attacking prowess is built on two lightning quick wingers – comfortable taking players on and relentlessly pressing the opponents back-line. While Yamal has made the headlines, Nico Williams has been just as impressive.
