* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
It’s not too often that we get as excited about a group of young players in a single tournament, but given half of them are English, I suppose everyone’s going to be harping on about them. Funnily enough, I’d argue that England’s more senior heads have been the key to their success – Kane, Sterling, Walker, Stones and Maguire.
But that doesn’t suit the narrative so let’s keep it quiet, yeah? There are world-class players on show and while nobody has the slightest clue of the conditions of this award – it sounds like something a bloody sticker album would facilitate if we’re honest – it does mean that there’s plenty of prices you can take advantage of.
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Phil Foden is still currently listed on the market which is nice. I can only presume that if he wins it, there’s a liquid peroxide company sponsoring the trophy because all he’s done is that jammy flick to Raheem Sterling that got far too much attention from the official tournament account.
Deary me, maybe the youth are the problem. Or maybe it’s me. Either way, it’s nothing a few bob can’t fix. Here’s one to back, one to avoid and a value play to whet your appetite ahead of football coming home.
Best Bet: Pedri
This award was sealed when Luis Enrique – who looks exactly like Tommy Tiernan did in his cameo in Father Ted – said Pedri had a better tournament than Andres Iniesta did in 2008. And I fully agree. Now, does the fact they were beaten in the semis count for anything? Do we get bonus points because he’s only 18 and not even allowed to consume alcohol in North America yet?
Either way, he’s the clear winner in my book and even though the price is perhaps shorter than you’d like, it’s a far more likely outcome than throwing a dart at Player of the Tournament.
One to Avoid: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Not only does his surname take far too long to type, he was also fairly poor against Spain. On countless occasions he got too confident on the ball and was nearly dispossessed – then he kicked a few into touch and while his heroics in the shootout will help him, the fact Jorginho scored the winning penalty and it wasn’t him saving one to send them through to the final kind of harms his optics.
He’s also conceded three goals compared to England’s one. There are no shouts for Pickford?
Value Play: Mikkel Damsgaard
His goal against England is one of those that will stick in your mind for years to come and I’d not be remotely surprised to see them push him forward for this, particularly as the Danish story feels somewhat like the key narrative in the first place.
To be the best performer for your side in a tournament at that age is seriously impressive and I can’t quite get past the idea that it will stand to him when the votes are counted over too many beers and not enough actual footballing points.
Young Player of the Tournament best bets:
Best Bet: Pedri
One to Avoid: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Value Play: Mikkel Damsgaard
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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