As it was, England’s U21 European Championship came to an end, not with a bang, but a whimper. Gareth Southgate’s team finished bottom of Group B, mirroring the senior side from 12 months ago at the 2014 World Cup. It was a disappointing end to a competition that promised so much given the talent at Southgate’s disposal, but it just wasn’t to be for England, who were outclassed by Italy U21 on Wednesday in a match they needed to win to progress to the next round of the tournament.
However, one England player who can leave the U21 Euros with his head held high is Nathan Redmond. The highly-rated Norwich winger was the Three Lions’ best player, gaining a WhoScored rating of 7.36. That figure was enough to see him feature in the best-rated team of the group stages after an impressive showing at the competition. Indeed, only Sergio Oliveira (11) has played more key passes than Redmond (7) at this stage of the U21 Euros.
Featuring on the right, Redmond would be partnered by Czech Republic’s Pavel Kaderabek. The right-back opened the scoring of the competition with a well placed left-footed strike against Denmark, though the hosts, like England, fell at the first hurdle. Nevertheless, Kaderabek was one player who lived up to pre-tournament expectations, though any potential suitors will be left ruing any decision to wait on the performances of the young defender after he agreed a deal to sign for Bundesliga side Hoffenheim the day the competition started.
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Fans of the German outfit caught a glimpse of Kaderabek’s quality for the Czech Republic U21 side and must have been excited at what they saw. The maurauding full-back averaged more successful dribbles per game (2) than any player for his national team, while an average of 2 interceptions per match denoted his noteworthy reading of the game. He wasn’t the only Czech star to shine at the competition though, with compatriot Jan Kliment featuring in WhoScored’s team of the group stages.
Kliment netted more goals (3) than any other player at the group stage of the competition and led the line with aplomb. His hat-trick against Serbia highlighted his ruthlessness in front of goal and teams across the continent will have been impressed by the impact he made in his homeland. However, his exploits were outshone by that of Sergio Oliveira. As mentioned, Oliveira played more key passes (11) than any other player at the group stages of the competition as the Porto midfielder impressed in the middle of the park.
A WhoScored rating of 8.05 was the best of all players to feature in the opening 3 games, while the 23-year-old was the only player to win a WhoScored man of the match award in 2 of his 3 appearances. Only compatriot Bernardo Silva (65) completed more successful passes in the final third than Oliveira (59), while an average of 2.7 successful dribbles per game further accentuates how the 23-year-old ran the show for his country in the middle of the park. Much of the focus of Portugal coming into this tournament was on Silva and William Carvalho, but it’s fair to say has Oliviera outshone both. Marco Benassi was another to impress and it's no surprise to see him partner Oliviera in midfield, with the Torino startlet averaging 2.5 interceptions, 3 shots and 1.5 key passes per game and it's reasonable to suggest that the Azzurrini would have progressed to the next stage of the competition had Benassi featured against Sweden.
Oliveira isn’t the only Portugal youngster to feature in the team, with José Sá starring between the sticks. Rui Jorge’s side shipped fewer goals (1) than any team at the group stages of the U21 Euros, with Sá crucial to that. The shotstopper has made more saves (15) than any other goalkeeper at the tournament so far, and consequently boasts the best save success rate (93.8%) at the U21 Euros.
Tournament favourites Germany are the best represented in the team of the group stages, with no fewer than three players included. Kevin Volland unsurprisingly stars having effectively led the German attack. The Hoffenheim star has scored the only direct free kick of the competition, while 7 key passes shows how he is not only capable of leading the line, but also bringing others into play with consummate ease.
Amin Younes has proven to be a tricky customer when he gains a head of steam. Only Bernardo Silva (21) has completed more successful dribbles than the 21-year-old attacker (11), with his directness a real asset to head coach Horst Hrubesch. Nico Schulz makes up the German contingent having gained a respectable WhoScored rating of 7.34.
Denmark’s stand-alone representative comes in the form of Jannik Vestergaard, who has been a solid performer at the heart of the Danes’ backline. The centre-back has made 18 tackles and interceptions combined, a return bettered only by two players so far. Meanwhile, only Daniele Rugani (21) - who partners the Werder Bremen star at the back - made more headed clearances in the group stages than Vestergaard (15), with his all-round defensive ability standing out for Jess Thorup’s side. Denmark will now be hoping the 22-year-old can maintain his performances in the knockout stages as the Danes look to secure a place in the final at Sweden’s expense.
Who do you think were the stand out performers from the group stages of the U21 Euros? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
