Final Set for Saturday: England U21 vs Germany U21 in European Showdown
Most Valuable XI of England U21 & Germany U21 featuring Arsenal star
While the Club World Cup has captured headlines this summer, another major international tournament is commanding attention in Slovakia: the U21 European Championships. The tournament has showcased a new generation of footballing talent and will conclude with a blockbuster final between England and Germany, two nations that have each won the title three times. Interestingly, they already met in the group stage, where Germany claimed a narrow 2-1 victory.
Germany has been dominant throughout the tournament, boasting a perfect record and a commanding 3-0 win over France in the semi-finals. England, on the other hand, endured a more turbulent route. After advancing from the group stage with just one win, they showed resilience by knocking out both Spain and the Netherlands in the knockout rounds.
From a financial standpoint, England leads the tournament with the most valuable squad, valued at €402 million, while Germany ranks fourth at €257 million. But what happens when you combine their best players into one team?
Combined Most Valuable XI: England U21 & Germany U21
The combined most valuable XI from the two finalists carries a total market value of €326 million, featuring seven players from England and four from Germany. The undisputed star of the lineup is Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, valued at €55 million. He heads a formidable attacking trio that includes Brajan Gruda and Nick Woltemade.
Woltemade has been a revelation in this tournament. Leading the goal-scoring charts with six goals, the German striker is reportedly a top target for Bayern Munich, with a €60 million transfer on the horizon. Also in the spotlight is Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, who is competing for the Player of the Tournament award alongside Woltemade. Elliott is joined in midfield by Elliott Anderson and Archie Gray.
Although Tottenham’s Archie Gray hasn’t been a starting player for England in this competition, manager Lee Carsley has primarily opted for Bournemouth’s Alex Scott to pair with Anderson in midfield. The defense includes Nathaniel Brown of Eintracht Frankfurt—Germany’s lone representative on the back line—alongside Jarrel Quansah of Liverpool. Quansah is rumored to be on the verge of a €41 million move to Bayer Leverkusen.
In goal, Germany’s Noah Atubolu, valued at €18 million, completes the lineup.
As anticipation builds for the final on Saturday, all eyes will be on these rising stars. Whether it’s Nwaneri’s flair, Woltemade’s finishing, or Elliott’s creativity, this showdown promises to deliver a glimpse into football’s future.
