Former defender Philipp Lahm rates France higher than all other candidates such as England, Portugal or host team Germany.
"France are the number one candidate," Lahm told AFP on March 27. "In my opinion, the simple reason is that they have 40 very talented players to choose from."
Not only highly appreciating the talent, the former German captain also believes that the French squad is very balanced, the difference between the main players and the reserve players of France is very small. Therefore, basically, the 2018 World Cup champion team and the 2022 World Cup finalist team can be divided into two or three different squads of equal strength.
Mbappe (in blue) dribbles the ball during a friendly match where France lost 0-2 to Germany on March 23 at Groupama Stadium. Photo: AFP
France have won two World Cups and two Euros, making them one of the most successful teams in Europe. Coach Deschamps currently has a host of top players aged 23 to 28, including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Kolo Muani, Marcus Thuram, Aurelian Tchouameni, Theo Hernandez, Lucas Hernandez, Ibrahima Konate, William Saliba, Benjamin Pavard and Mike Maignan.
Lahm believes that with such a force, coach Deschamps can easily make changes.
He also praised the leadership of Deschamps, who has been the coach of the French national team since 2014. According to the former Bayern captain, thanks to Deschamps, France have played more cohesively and effectively than in the previous period. "The most important thing is that France always plays like a team on the pitch," he added.
Contrary to Lahm's assessment, bookmaker Oddschecker currently sees England as the top candidate for the Euro 2024 championship, with odds of 10/3 (bet three to win 10). France are the second candidate, with odds of 4/1, while hosts Germany are third (6/1) and Portugal (9/1).
England have never won the Euros. The only international trophy the Three Lions have won was the 1966 World Cup on home soil. In 2021, England reached the Euro final for the first time, but lost 2-3 to Italy on penalties in the final.
Germany were in crisis under former coach Hansi Flick, but are recovering well under the guidance of Julian Nagelsmann. In two friendlies at the end of March, the Euro 2024 hosts won 2-0 away to France and 2-1 at home to the Netherlands. Germany have won four World Cups and hold the record for three Euros (shared with Spain).
Euro 2024 takes place in Germany from June 14 to July 14. The 24 teams are divided into six groups, with the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams advancing to the round of 16.
Lahm came through the Bayern youth system and spent most of his career at the club. He made 501 appearances for the first team and 71 appearances for Stuttgart on loan from 2003 to 2005.
Lahm also has a huge collection of titles. He won a total of seven Bundesliga titles, six German Cups, one German Super Cup, one Champions League and one FIFA Club World Cup... Playing for the German national team, Lahm won the 2014 World Cup.
Thanh Quy (according to AFP )
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