Who are the favourites ahead of Euro 2016?

With the English domestic game currently focussed on Chelsea’s shock downfall, the equally surprising rise of Leicester City , as well as all the last minute drama and excitement that usually comes part and parcel of the notorious January transfer window – few have admittedly seen fit to cast their thoughts towards the upcoming summer, with Euro 2016 waiting patiently on the horizon.

 

By the time the current 2015/16 campaign finally reaches its natural conclusion however, and everying is finally done and dusted in regards to this season's somewhat changeable title race and ever enticing relegation dog-fight, the international scene will likely blow up once again in predictable style…

 

So then – without further ado – which sides must go down as the out-in-out favourites ahead Euro 2016, and just what can football fans ultimately expect from the very best footballing talent Europe has to offer this summer?

 

FRANCE

 

Well, as Didier Deschamps’ side will enter the tournament as proud hosts of Euro 2016 this year, it would seemingly be unwise not to include France as probable favourites to impress at the competition.

 

With a core of well-established top-flight players currently operating all across some of the most recognised leagues in Europe, this is a team that could certainly be going places in the not too distant future. The French play host to a nice balance of youthful energy and essential experience, the likes of Anthony Martial and Hatem Ben Arfa have breathed new life into the squad of late, and Deschamps’ back-line admittedly looks as resolute as ever.

 

Yet because Karim Benzema may be forced to sit out of Euro 2016 due to the succession of questionable off-field incidents that have followed the striker this season, maybe the French striking department could arguably do with a little strengthening between now and the end of the season.

 

SPAIN

 

Although the once untouchable nature of the Spanish possession-based game seemingly couldn’t be beaten just a few short seasons ago, it remains easy to forget just how effective Vicente del Bosque’s side once proved before they crashed out of the 2014 World Cup group-stages in rather unceremonious style.

 

But even though Spain certainly had their confidence knocked last time out at a major international tournament, the rapidly emerging likes of Thiago Alcantara, Alvaro Morata and Paco Alcacer could nonetheless help steer the Spanish national side towards a brighter future at Euro 2016 this summer. The squad ultimately remains as technically gifted as ever, and with Andres Iniesta still pulling all the strings in the middle of the park, this is a team that can’t be written off lightly.

 

However, as all good runs have to come to an end at some point, maybe the golden era of the Spanish national game has potentially run its course throughout the rest of the international footballing community in general.

 

GERMANY

 

…And whilst the likes of Belgium, Portugal, Italy and who knows – maybe even England – possibly deserve to be nominated for a place among the out-in-out favourites at Euro 2016 this summer, such a list just wouldn’t feel complete without including arguably the strongest all-round team currently operating in the world right now – Joachim Löw’s Germany.

 

The triumphant World Cup holders may have seen Philipp Lahm eventually hang up his internationally-laced boots since his nation’s famous victory in Brazil two summers ago – but with a whole host of other impressive young talents always on the rise for Germany – Joachim Löw’s side have every reason to remain confident ahead of the much anticipated competition.

 

Germany must therefore go down as the most well defined favourites in the run up to Euro 2016, simply for possessing several in-form players and an even more impressive sense of togetherness out on the pitch. But if Löw ultimately fails to replace the ever effective Miroslav Klose up top this summer, maybe Germany will find themselves struggling far sooner than most expected…