EVERY Dream Team Euros manager needs a reliable figure between the sticks, whether they’re a top star or a cheap alternative.
With that in mind, let’s run through the premium goalkeepers, bargain differentials, and ones to avoid.
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PREMIUM OPTIONS
Diogo Costa (£4m) kept more clean sheets than any other keeper during Euro 2024 qualifying and while Portugal’s No1 benefited from a favourable group, he looks a strong bet for this summer’s tournament as well.
Roberto Martinez’s side will face Czechia, Turkey then Georgia in Group F and will be expected to top the pile with relative ease.
The 24-year-old heads to Germany having kept 17 clean sheets in all competitions for Porto this season.
Mike Maignan (£4.5m) is the joint-most expensive keeper in the game and that’s a reflection of his status as France’s first-choice custodian.
The Milan man conceded just two goals in six outings during qualifying and while he picked up an injury at the end of the domestic campaign, he’s expected to start for Didier Deschamps’ side against Austria in Matchday 1.
Les Bleus have made the final in three of the last four major tournaments and are tipped to go deep again this time around.
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Jordan Pickford (£4m) will be a popular choice for similar reasons with England currently the pre-tournament favourites with most bookies.
BARGAINS
Gaffers keen on stats might come to the conclusion that Martin Dubravka (£1.5m) is an absolute steal.
The experienced Slovak saw plenty of action for Newcastle this season because of Nick Pope’s lengthy injury and only the aforementioned Costa kept more clean sheets during Euro qualifying.
Remember, keepers earn one point for every two saves they make and Dubravka ranked highly in this metric in qualifying too.
There’s a lot going for him on paper but it’s worth noting that Slovakia also qualified through the same relatively friendly group as Portugal – the step up might be too much.
Much of the same applies to Romania’s Horatiu Moldovan (£1.5m).
The Tricolorii impressed during qualifying to finish above Switzerland in an undefeated campaign during which they conceded just five goals in ten games.
Koen Casteels (£3.5m) isn’t exactly a bargain but he potentially represents smart value for money.
With Thibaut Courtois not called up to represent Belgium having missed most of the season with injury, the door remains open for Casteels to start for the Red Devils.
Domenico Tedesco’s side have been gifted a favourable group on paper alongside Slovakia, Romania and Ukraine and their first-choice keeper for the summer is notably cheaper than his peers among the other fancied teams.
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ONES TO AVOID
Andriy Lunin (£2.5m) is likely to be relatively popular selection having played 31 games for Real Madrid in 2023/24.
He started Ukraine’s crucial play-off fixtures but gaffers should be aware that Benfica’s Anatoily Trubin (£2.5m) was the preferred choice during qualifying.
It’s not that Lunin is necessarily somebody to stay clear of but Dream Team bosses need to be certain their keeper is a guaranteed starter and the Ukraine hierarchy isn’t all that clear right now.
This might be a bit punchy but we’re not all that convinced about Gianluigi Donnarumma (£4m), who is currently the second-most selected asset in his position.
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The giant Italian was fantastic at the last Euros but his performances for club and country have been put under the microscope in more recent times.
Plus, Italy might be up against it in Group B against Albania, Spain and Croatia.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
