Alvaro Morata most-popular recruit ahead of Dream Team Euros finale – every key stat for Matchday 7
JUST one fixture remains in Dream Team Euros, the small matter of the final between Spain and England.
Who will reign supreme, the free-flowing, tactically sound entertainers of Europe or Gareth Southgate and the Power of Friendship?
With Mini Leagues on the line worldwide, gaffers should be as informed as possible ahead of Matchday 7.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Alvaro Morata (£5.5m) is comfortably the most-popular recruit ahead of Sunday’s 7pm deadline.
La Roja’s captain is expected to start in Berlin despite an unfortunate accidental collision with a security guard during the post-match celebrations following his side’s semi-final win over France.
The 31-year-old has scored just one goal at this tournament but he’s also provided two assists and he’s an easy selection as the first-choice centre-forward for the best attacking unit of the summer.
Many Dream Team Euros bosses will be pairing Morata with Harry Kane (£7.5m) up top.
The Three Lions’ all-time top scorer has looked sluggish but it’s simply a fact that no player has scored more goals at this tournament.
Whether he’s fatigued or carrying an injury, his goalscoring pedigree is unquestionable, as evidenced by his poacher’s efforts against Denmark and Slovakia – plus a trademark unreachable penalty against Netherlands.
Ollie Watkins (£3.5m) and Ivan Toney (£3m) have made positive impacts off the bench but if Kane can jog, he’ll start.
The Bayern Munich marksman currently features in 64.8% of teams but he’s not the most-selected player ahead of the final, that honour belongs to Jude Bellingham (£6m).
England’s No10 appears in 70.4% of teams at the time of writing.
Like Kane, he hasn’t been at his very best this tournament and is seemingly knackered at the end of a long season but he’s provided moments of magic when required – his overhead kick against Slovakia being the jewel in the crown.
It’s worth noting that Bellingham has earned the most bonus points (10) among England and Spain players so far.
In terms of total points, Dani Olmo (£4m) leads the way among the finalists with 48.
The RB Leipzig playmaker has only started two games and yet he’s the current front runner for the Golden Boot having scored three goals and provided two assists.
He will start as Spain’s most-advanced midfielder following Pedri’s (£4m) injury in the quarter-finals.
MOST DREAM TEAM EUROS POINTS AMONG SPAIN AND ENGLAND PLAYERS:
- 48 pts – Dani Olmo (£4m)
- 42 pts – Fabian Ruiz (£3.5m)
- 41 pts – Lamine Yamal (£4m)
- 39 pts – Jude Bellingham (£6m)
- 37 pts – Harry Kane (£7.5m)
Dani Carvajal (£4m) was suspended for the semi-final after his cynical second yellow card against Germany in the quarters but he’s available for the final and will surely reclaim his place at right-back for Luis de la Fuente’s side.
Centre-back Robin Le Normand will probably come back in too after serving a suspension of his own.
In terms of viable cheap options for those with budgetary issues, Declan Rice (£3m), Kobbie Mainoo (£3m) and Marc Guehi (£3m) are all expected to start for England while Spain’s left-back Marc Cucurella (£3m) has offered excellent value for money since Matchday 1.
EXPECTED STARTING LINE-UPS:
SPAIN: Unai Simon, Dani Carvajal, Robin Le Normand, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella, Rodri, Fabian Ruiz, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Nico WIlliams, Alvaro Morata.
ENGLAND: Jordan Pickford, Kyle Walker, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Bukayo Saka, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice, Kieran Trippier, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane.
Dream Euros managers need to lock in their transfers, captain and their last Booster (if available) before Sunday’s 7pm deadline.