While all the attention will be on Argentina and Spain this weekend, perhaps the most talented players will be going head-to-head in the 3rd place match. While both teams fell short of football’s top prize, there is no doubt in the ability of both side’s players. While both nations would most likely prefer a sooner vacation than player in a consolation match, let’s see who would make the XI in a theoretical combined team.
Goalkeeper: Mike Maignan (France)
The goalkeeping position is perhaps the weakest link of both teams. While Jordan
Pickford is massively experienced, he has never been an elite goalkeeper. Pickford has certainly had his moments in recent tournaments, but ultimately costed England with weak positioning for Argentina’s first goal in their semifinal matchup.
Mike Maignan is the clear choice for obvious reasons and while he isn’t the best in the world, he remains one of AC Milan’s top talents.
Left-back: Theo Hernández (France)
Didier Deschamps made an awful decision by starting Lucas Digne against Spain. The Aston Villa defender didn’t have the pace to keep up with Lamine Yamal and his performance costed France greatly. Theo Hernández on the other hand is quick, an exceptional defender and great going forward. The fullback remains one of the best attacking options we have ever seen on the left flank.
Central defenders: William Saliba (France) and Dayot Upamecano (France)
The French central duo is simply unstoppable. While Willy Saliba is out for the next five months, he deservedly belongs in the combined XI. Saliba is arguably the best central defender in the world at the moment, and shines brightest for Arsenal, although he is still massively important for France.
Dayot Upamecano is finally earning his flowers, as a player who never found his consistency became a bonified star over the past two seasons at Bayern Munich. With size and ball playing ability, this central duo might be going under the radar due to the focus on France’s attack, they are exceptional.
Right-back: Jules Koundé (France)
The FC Barcelona defender narrowly beats out Reece James for this pick. While the Chelsea defender is brilliant when healthy, he has not delivered his best in some time. Koundé is great going up and down the pitch, and while he perhaps hasn’t lived up to massive expectations, is still as great player.
Midfield: Declan Rice (England), Elliott Anderson (England), and Jude Bellingham (England)
This is perhaps where England shines its brightest. The England midfield wins out over the French and it is perhaps the most expensive trio in football history. While Elliott Anderson might be overpriced, he is still a top talent and is the unsung hero behind Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
Rice is an unstoppable force as the former West Ham United talent can do pretty much anything on the pitch. While he is known for his defensive prowess, his ball distribution is better than almost any defensive midfielder in the world. Combined that with free kick ability, and you have a unicorn talent.
Bellingham needs no introduction and has been England’s star this tournament coming up big in every moment. While the former Borussia Dortmund talent has transformed from a deep lying midfielder to an attacking midfielder that almost drifts into a striker role at times, he has shined bright wherever needed.
Wingers: Ousmane Dembélé (France) and Michael Olisé (France)
There is no argument you can make for anyone either than Dembele and Olisé. The French wingers are arguably the two best players in the world at the moment and both had outstanding tournaments. While they can both go under the radar as Kylian Mbappé receives the most attention, these wingers are absolute world beaters and the best players from their respective clubs.
Both players will likely end their careers with multiple Ballon d’Or’s and are a massive leap over England’s picks of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka and others.
Striker: Harry Kane (England)
It is almost unthinkable to exclude Kylian Mbappé from this list. Mbappé would obviously be fielded in some capacity where this a true squad, but if you had to pick the best striker, Harry Kane might narrowly beat Mbappé.
If we are going of tournament form, Mbappé would be the clear pick, but Kane has been the best player in the world over the past year, and for that reason, has to be the pick for this XI.
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