While attackers will always get the limelight, former Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell, who now plays in France with Ligue 1 side Toulouse, certainly deserves his flowers.
One could argue that plying his trade regularly in the French top division has already seen him «break out», but he only highlighted that further with his near-faultless performances in Slovakia.
The 22-year-old played every minute of the tournament for England as they retained their trophy.
He averaged a hefty 8.67 ball recoveries per 90 minutes and totalled 52 over the course of the competition, more than any other player.
The centre-back also attempted 34 clearances, made 10 tackles and had a mightily impressive 91% passing accuracy.
Cresswell chipped in up the other end of the pitch, too, scoring in the opening game of the tournament against the Czech Republic.
England’s senior squad has looked thin on the ground in defensive areas since the arrival of Thomas Tuchel and the former Leeds defender has done himself no harm of a potential call-up to another squad, this time for the senior team in 2026.
