Following the launch of EURO 2020 Fantasy Football, UEFA.com assesses some key options from each position that Fantasy managers might wish to consider as they assemble their initial 15-man squads.

Thibaut Courtois (€6.0m) comes in as one of the three most expensive goalkeepers in EURO Fantasy and for good reason having helped Belgium keep seven clean sheets in their ten matches during qualification for UEFA EURO 2020. Indeed, Courtois conceded just two goals across his seven qualifying appearances and he has been highly sought after by Fantasy managers from the outset.

Another popular choice so far has been Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma (€5.5m), who currently features in 17% of Fantasy squads. The Azzurri conceded just four times in their ten qualifying games but owners should be aware that four different goalkeepers donned the jersey during qualifying so the No1 spot is perhaps not completely settled.

In the budget department, Finland’s Lukáš Hrádecký (€4.0m) has attracted attention so far with the Leverkusen stopper featuring in 9% of teams and coming in at a bargain basement price. Hrádecký was between the sticks for all six of Finland’s clean sheets in qualifying and is shaping up to be an excellent budget-enabler for Fantasy managers.

Other popular choices: Hugo Lloris (€6.0m), Manuel Neuer (€6.0m), Kasper Schmeichel (€5.0m)

Two players who ply their trade in the Premier League are currently the two highest-selected defenders in EURO Fantasy. Rúben Dias (€6.0m) features in almost a third of squads so far following an excellent debut season for title-winning Manchester City, and defending European champions Portugal will be hoping he can exert the same influence during UEFA EURO 2020. Perhaps one of the challengers to their crown will be England, and it is full-back Luke Shaw (€6.0m) who has attracted the attention of Fantasy managers for their opening squads. Shaw has enjoyed his best season in a Manchester United shirt and his threat going forward makes him a tempting proposition, but he faces stiff competition for the left-back spot from Ben Chilwell (€6.0m), who has also proven a popular choice in Fantasy circles.

The only other defender with an ownership in excess of 20% at present is France’s Benjamin Pavard (€6.0m). The Bayern right-back featured in all but two of his national side’s qualifying matches and will almost certainly be in Didier Deschamps‘ starting line-up when EURO 2020 kicks off.

Other popular choices: Matthijs de Ligt (€5.5m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (€6.5m)

The most popular player across any position right now is creative force Kevin De Bruyne (€10.5m), who finds himself in over a third of Fantasy squads at this early stage. Belgium’s stellar qualifying campaign, during which they won all ten games, brought De Bruyne four goals and six assists in his six appearances and the Manchester City star is also shaping up to be one of the leading captaincy candidates in the group stage.

Another premium midfielder who has courted much attention is Bruno Fernandes (€10.5m). The 26-year-old was directly involved in three goals during qualifying but it is his performances for Manchester United that have really caught the eye and if he can translate his devastating attacking form to UEFA EURO 2020 then he will be a valuable Fantasy asset.

As the only midfielder priced at a lowly €4.0m, it is no surprise that Loïc Négo (€4.0m) has proved such a popular choice so far, with 32% of Fantasy managers selecting the Hungarian. Although by no means a guaranteed starter, Négo played an integral role in booking his country’s spot at the final with a goal in the play-off final against Iceland, while he was also on the scoresheet in a World Cup qualifying game in March.

Other popular choices: Eden Hazard (€10.0m), Mason Mount (€7.0m), Phil Foden (€8.0m)

As the joint most expensive player in EURO 2020 Fantasy Football, Kylian Mbappé (€12.0m) is also one of the top transfer targets and it would take a brave Fantasy manager to go without the Frenchman for their opening squad despite a tough Matchday 1 fixture against Germany. Mbappé has enjoyed the best goalscoring season of his career so far having already surpassed the 40-goal mark, and will be looking to leave his mark on the European Championship like he did during France’s triumphant 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Not far behind Mbappé in the ownership stakes is England No9 Harry Kane (€11.5m), who led the goalscoring charts during qualifying with 12 goals and perhaps more impressively found the net in all eight matches in Group A – becoming the first Englishman to do so in the process. Reliable frontmen are worth their weight in gold in Fantasy and there are few more dependable than the Tottenham forward.

Ciro Immobile (€10.0m) has been one of those most lethal strikers in Europe over the past couple of seasons and is a touch easier on the wallet than Mbappé and Kane. The Italian has scored on his last two starts for his country while another goal-rich season for Lazio has prepared him well for EURO 2020, with plenty of Fantasy managers seeing the value in the 31-year-old.

Other popular choices: Romelu Lukaku (€11.0m), Cristiano Ronaldo (€12.0m), Robert Lewandowski (€11.5m)