Florian Wirtz could be the key to Germany’s hopes at Euro 2024.

The 21-year-old just completed a stunning season for surprise Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen, in which he scored 11 and assisted 12 in 32 games, picking up the Player of the Season award in the process.

He’s only played 18 games for the Germany senior team and hasn’t completed 90 minutes in any of those showings. But if manager Julian Nagelsmann can figure out how to make the most of his pace, energy and eye for a pass, Wirtz can be a difference-maker—just like he was for his club side last season.

Phil Foden has just finished a remarkable season for Manchester City. He scored 19 goals and provided eight assists in a domestic campaign that ended with the Premier League title, as well as the personal honour of being named the league’s Player of the Season.

The 24-year-old’s versatility will allow England boss Gareth Southgate to deploy him in a number of positions, all of which he can inflict serious damage from.

Behind the striker is perhaps where he can be best utilised, though, threading delicately weighted passes through to the No. 9 and using his stunning first touch and silky footwork to bamboozle defenders.

With Virgil van Dijk starting to show signs of mortality, it’s William Saliba’s time to move into the spot as European football’s premier defensive colossus.

The Frenchman helped Arsenal to a Premier League-leading 18 clean sheets in the 2023-24 campaign—five more than closest challengers Everton in that category—and played in all 38 games. He also grabbed two goals and an assist as the Gunners narrowly missed out on the title.

The center-back is part of a France squad that is stacked in the position, but it’s Saliba who stands above the rest.

Perhaps the most annoying player in the Premier League because of his never-say-die attitude and regular needling of opponents, Bernardo Silva enters the Euros following a Premier League-winning season in which he provided the most goal contributions of his six-year Manchester City career: six goals and nine assists in league play.

The 29-year-old wasn’t in the Portugal squad when they won Euro 2016, but he’s one of the star players of the 2024 iteration that seems to be one of the favorites to win it all.

His mosquito-like tendencies will give defenders headaches and tie them in knots, and he’s also capable of stunning strikes that could help break deadlocks in front of stout defenses.

While not the flashiest player at the tournament by any stretch, Rodri’s importance to Spain isn’t defined by goals and assists—although he is capable of popping up with clutch finishes should the situation require it.

Indeed, the 27-year-old’s role at the heart of midfield, where he directs his teammates, provides vital interceptions, keeps the back line protected from counter-attacks and allows his attacking players to thrive, will be vital to La Furia Roja’s hopes of picking up a fourth European title.