10th Jun 2016 | Euro 2016
Euro 2016 Tips: Player Of The Tournament - Paul Pogba
There's a trend when it comes to the sort of player who wins this award. We've potentially cracked the code; if his team succeed, the prize will surely come his way.
The Player of the Tournament market needs a little thought because it all gets political; it might not always go to the player who the public would have had down as the best of the competition.
The prime example came in World Cup 2014 when Lionel Messi took the prize despite failing to produce his best form, particularly as the knockout stages progressed. But his status, and the fact Argentina made it to the final seemed to be enough.
Suffice to say that decision was made by a FIFA panel!
UEFA choose the Euro winners and their selections have been less controversial, yet we can still spot trends.
2004: Zagorakis (Greece)
2008: Xavi (Spain)
2012: Iniesta (Spain)
The last three recipients in this tournament have all come from the winning side,and they have all been central midfielders. Furthermore, there has been no emphasis on goalscoring whatsoever.
So we can almost see a recipe for success. Choose an inspirational midfielder from a side likely to go all the way and you might just hit the jackpot.
Paul Pogba won the 2014 Young Player of the Tournament in Brazil and is poised to now reach superstar status on home soil. The 23-year-old is a great shout at a best price of 10/1 with StanJames.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 08:16 10th Jun, 2016 but subject to change