Is There Value in Donnarumma for Young Player of the Tournament at 2/1?

Here we have assessed and compared each of the main candidate's achievements that are in contention to win the young player of the tournament award at Euro 2020, with Gianluigi Donnarumma coming in as favourite at 2/1 following a stunning tournament with Italy so far.

Donnarumma is arguably one of the players of the tournaments in general, having kept goal for a very impressive Italy side that looks destined to go all the way at Euro 2020, with only Spain, England or Denmark in their way from winning the European Championship for the first time since 1968.

The 22-year-old PSG bound shot-stopper has managed to keep three clean sheets in five appearances, conceding just twice to a near-post header from Austria’s Sasa Kalajdzic due to some poor marking from his teammates, as well as to a Romelu Lukaku penalty on the quarter-finals.

If Italy are to win the tournament, then Donnarumma will likely be called into action and he will have to pass every test he faces as they’ll be up against tough opponents in Spain and most likely England, meaning that every mistake could be crucial.

Pedri is next up and is the main challenger to Donnarumma in terms of odds, as the 18-year-old Barcelona midfielder has had a superb tournament for Spain playing every minute so far, setting the tempo in each match he has played in as Spain have tended to control the ball and have the majority of possession in each game they have played, including against Croatia who have the likes of Marcelo Brozovic, Luka Modric and Matteo Kovacic.

Pedri looks like Barcelona’s new version of Xavi and it is very clear to see why so many have been impressed with him at Euro 2020, especially considering his age as he plays to a standard that is much more mature to his years. If Pedri is to pip Donnarumma to the young player of the tournament award then he will likely have to be part of a Spain team that knocks Italy out in the semi-finals which will be a huge task in itself.

West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice is the next player to feature on this list of those that are in contention for the young player of the tournament award, having impressed for the Three Lions this summer as Gareth Southgate’s side have made it to their first semi-final in the Euros since 1996.

Rice has played an integral role in England’s midfield alongside Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips, providing their defence with extra protection which has proved beneficial, as Southgate’s men are yet to concede a single goal at Euro 2020, becoming the first team in the history of the tournament to keep five clean sheets in their opening five matches.

What must also be noted is that the 22-year-old has put in a string of impressive displays across all five games in what has been a heavily rotated defence as Harry Maguire started the tournament injured, meaning Tyrone Mings featured in the team, whilst England have switched systems from 4-2-3-1 to 5-2-3 on a regular basis.

The Hammers’ ace best chance of winning this individual accolade would most likely be if England win the tournament as a whole.

The final player on this list of young players of the tournament contenders is Danish winger Mikkel Damsgaard of Sampdoria. The 21-year-old has had an impressive tournament as far, scoring a stunning goal against Russia in Denmark’s 4-1 victory which effectively qualified them from Group B despite losing their opening two matches of the tournament against Finland and Belgium. Damsgaard also managed to create the assist for Kasper Dolberg’s opener against Wales in their thumping 4-0 victory in Amsterdam at the round of 16.

Again, Damsgaard would likely have to be part of a Denmark team that wins the Euros which will take an extraordinary effort, as they will have to beat England, as well as one of Italy or Spain in the final at Wembley. Good performances in both of these two matches would no doubt slash the former FC Nordsjælland man’s odds from 10/1.