Euro 2020: Barcelona players going to UEFA Euro 2020

Barcelona players Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele and Clement Lenglet will feature for France

France were one of the first teams to announce their squad of Euros with Didier Deschamps revealing 26 names on May 18. Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema made a comeback to the squad after a six year hiatus. Three Barcelona players made the cut in France team: Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembele, Clement Lenglet

Antoine Griezmann

Antoine Griezmann had an unimpressive first season for Barcelona but he started to come clutch for the club in the second season. The Frenchman was Barca’s second-highest goal scorer behind a certain Argentine, with 20 goals and 12 assists in 51 games. It finally appears that the 30-year-old is finding his groove at Barcelona.

For France, he is unarguably one of the most important players in the system. Griezmann plays behind the striker in France’s 4-2-3-1 setup. He doesn’t play as a playmaker but rather a hybrid of a forward and a playmaker. This is his natural position, playing as a second striker and this is where he is the most dangerous. France are one of the favourites for the tournament and Griezmann’s contributions will be key to a successful campaign for the Les Bleus.

Ousmane Dembele

Ousmane Dembele has managed to remain injury-free for most periods of the 2020-21 season. He looks happy, focused and ambitious with Barcelona and he’s slowly reaching the potential Barca envisioned for him.

Dembele features on the wings for France and may not always be a starter for the FIFA World Cup Champions. Considering Benzema or Olivier Giroud to lead the attack, Kylian Mbappe will start on the right-wing. Game time for France may not come easily for Dembele but if the Frenchman can make the most of his chances at the Euros, he’ll leave a huge impression and will integrate himself into the core group of players.

Clement Lenglet

Clement Lenglet has been a regular part of Deschamps plans even if he has struggled at Barcelona. This season, Lenglet recurrently played for Barcelona and while he wasn’t outstanding, he didn’t put on a horror show as well. In fact, in some games, Lenglet was solid and reliable as ever.

For France’s four-man defence, Lenglet doesn’t feature in the first choice centre back pairing. Recently, Presnel Kimpembe edged Lengelt as the left-sided central defender and that trend should continue going into the Euros. Deschamps will count on Raphael Varane and Kimpembe as the preferred central pair. Lenglet may make few off the bench appearances or even cover for Kimpembe if the PSG man picks up an injury.