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Euro 2020 will kick off in a week and football fans around the globe are in for an exciting summer. With several teams boasting squads that are brimming with talent, it's nearly impossible to predict who will go home with the trophy.
All European teams have named their squads and it is difficult to separate a number of them on paper. Europe is home to the best football leagues in the world and naturally, the competing nations possess some of the best footballers in the world.
Euro 2020 kicks off on June 11
Portugal pipped France to the Euro 2016 title. But things have changed in subsequent years and more European nations have packed enough quality to give it a shot at Euro 2020.
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In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, players are coming off the most strenuous season in history as they head into Euro 2020. As a result, the depth of squads will have a say over the course of the continental tournament as fatigue comes into play.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five teams with the best squad depth in Euro 2020.
#5 England
Gareth Southgate has named as many as four right-backs in his 26-man squad for Euro 2020. While that has affected the depth of a couple of other positions, the English side have an incredible amount of quality all across the pitch.
Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James will all fight for a spot in the starting XI. If Southgate goes for a three-man defence, Walker is likely to start as a right-sided centre-back. In that case, one of the other three will start out on the wing.
At centre-back, England have Harry Maguire, Conor Coady, John Stones and Tyrone Mings to choose from. While Maguire and Stones would be first-choice, the former's injury problems might cause Southgate to select either Mings or Coady to start alongside the Manchester City man.
Ben Chilwell and Luke Shaw are coming off impressive seasons and are two formidable options at left-back. Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips, Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham populate their midfield spots. Southgate can choose between the incredibly talented Jack Grealish and English football's 'next big thing', Mason Mount, in attacking midfield.
England have one of the strongest attacking departments. With players like Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka to choose from, the England manager is almost spoilt for choice.
Harry Kane will lead the line and Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be his deputy. Dean Henderson, Jordan Pickford and Sam Johnstone are their goalkeeping options.
If Maguire and Jordan Henderson prove their fitness early on, this England team has enough squad depth to approach every game with plenty of intensity at Euro 2020.
#4 Spain
Well, it's not exactly the 'Golden Generation' and the names aren't as high-profile as they used to be. But Spain still have a raft of in-form players going into Euro 2020. Their midfield is packed with some of the best technicians in football.
Rodri, Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara, Koke, Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Pablo Sarabia and Marcos Llorente are Luis Enrique's options in midfield. They have Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Mikel Oyarzabal as their primary options down the flanks. Alvaro Morata and Gerard Moreno are the centre-forward picks for La Roja at Euro 2020.
Diego Llorente's work-rate and versatility will make him second-choice in a number of positions like centre-back, right-back and defensive midfield. Cesar Azpilicueta is Enrique's only out-and-out right back. Jose Gaya and Jordi Alba will fight for a starting spot at left-back.
Aymeric Laporta and Pau Torres are expected to start at centre-back and Eric Garcia will be their deputy.
#3 Belgium
Belgium could have used more strength and youth in their backline that currently consists mostly of veterans. Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Vermaelen and Dedryck Boyata are all well past their primes. But everywhere else, they have incredible players and Roberto Martinez has plenty of options as well.
Timothy Castagne, Thomas Meunier, Nacer Chadli and Yannick Carrasco are their wing-back options. Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans, Axel Witsel, Hans Vanaken, Leander Dendoncker and Dennis Praet make up their midfield.
In attack, Belgium have Romelu Lukaku leading the line. The Inter Milan striker has been in prime form. Christian Benteke and Michy Batshuayi are the alternatives. Martinez can choose from a list that includes Eden Hazard, Thorgan Hazard, Dries Mertens, Jeremy Doku and Leandro Trossard to play supporting cast to Romelu Lukaku.
Thibaut Courtois is the first-choice goalkeeper. Simon Mignolet and Matz Sels are his deputies. It is evident that Belgium will be a bit reliant on Eden Hazard springing back into form as that would be the X-factor for them. But in 18-year-old winger Jeremy Doku, they have a secret weapon going into Euro 2020.
#2 Portugal
Portugal now have a side that's stronger than their Euro 2016 winning unit. Cristiano Ronaldo and Andre Silva are both coming off excellent individual seasons and are in great goalscoring form. Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Diogo Jota and Rafa Silva will give Fernando Santos a few selection dilemmas in attack.
Santos has Bruno Fernandes, who is in excellent , operating behind the attackers. Pedro Goncalves, who has been incredible for Sporting Lisbon this past term, is another notable option in attacking midfield.
Sergio Oliviera, Joao Palhinha, Goncalo Guedes, Danilo Pereira, Joao Moutinho, Ruben Neves and Renato Sanches make up what could be the most talented midfield pool at Euro 2020. Santos can play around with his combinations and with the number of all-action midfielders in that squad, Portugal could bring a lot of intensity to each and every game.
Pepe and Ruben Dias are expected to start at centre-back. Jose Fonte will be the second-choice centre-back. At right-back, Portugal have Joao Cancelo, who is coming off his best season yet. Nelson Semedo will be the backup option.
Raphael Guerreiro and Nuno Mendez will battle for a starting berth at left-back in this Portugal side that's filled to the brim with extremely talented players. Rui Patricio will be their man between the sticks. Lyon's Anthony Lopez and Granada's Rui Silva are the backup options.
Portugal have enough quality and depth to field entirely different starting XIs and still bring out their A-game every time they step out at Euro 2020.
#1 France
France were the strongest side in the FIFA World Cup 2018 and it was not surprising that they went on to become world champions. This time around, they have grown considerably stronger and it's evidenced by the number of high-profile stars who couldn't even make the cut, like Alexandre Lacazette, Dayot Upamecano and Ferland Mendy to name a few.
They have brought back Karim Benzema after a six-year absence. Wissam Ben Yedder, who had a great season for Monaco, and Olivier Giroud, who was France's striker in their World Cup-winning side, will be their backup options.
Kylian Mbappe is another sure-shot starter. There are worthy alternatives in Kingsley Coman, Ousmane Dembele and Marcus Thuram on the wings. N'Golo Kante, who has been in sublime form, is expected to start alongside Paul Pogba. Moussa Sissoko, Adrien Rabiot and Corentin Tolisso will be the backup options in central midfield.
Thomas Lemar will compete with Antoine Griezmann for the starting spot in attacking midfield. France also have one of the strongest backlines. Raphael Varane is expected to be paired alongside either Jules Kounde or Presnel Kimpembe at the heart of defence. Clement Lenglet and Kurt Zouma are the other options at centre-back.
Benjamin Pavard and Lyon's Leo Dubois are their options at right-back. Lucas Hernandez and Lucas Digne will compete to start at left-back. If you look at quality squad depth, it is difficult to beat France. They have some of the best players in the world in a lot of positions.
