Euro U21 star men - Group B (Austria, Denmark, Germany, Serbia)

Following on from a look at the star men from Group A we delve into Group B this time around, with holders Germany perhaps handed the most favourable draw alongside Austria, Denmark and dark horses Serbia. 

The following are the highest rated players from each side based on performances in Europe’s top five leagues last season. 

AUSTRIA - Kevin Danso (Augsburg) - 6.68 

One of only two players in the squad that plays in Europe’s top five leagues, Danso started 13 of 18 Bundesliga appearances for Augsburg last season. The 20-year-old averaged 1.8 tackles and 1.2 blocks per 90 minutes, with the team winning four of the youngster’s 13 starts at centre-back compared to four of 21 matches that he wasn’t named in the XI. 

DENMARK - Jacob Rasmussen (Empoli) - 6.60 

Without the likes of Kasper Dolberg or Jacob Bruun Larsen in their ranks, Denmark will likely rely on a strong defensive platform this summer, with Rasmussen playing a pivotal role. The 22-year-old centre-back joined Empoli from Rosenborg last summer, starting ten of 14 league appearances, and displayed real composure in possession in particular, completing 88.3 per cent of his passes. 

GERMANY - Lukas Klostermann (RB Leipzig) - 7.01 

There’s no real star player in the Germany squad but bags of top-flight experience and in Klostermann they have a right-back capped at senior level courtesy of his impressive form for RB Leipzig last season. The defender, who just turned 23, scored five goals in 26 appearances, averaging 2.2 tackles per 90 for a side that boasted the best defensive record - ahead of Bayern and Dortmund - in the Bundesliga (29 conceded). 

SERBIA - Vukasin Jovanovic (Bordeaux) - 7.08 

That’s right. It’s not Luka Jovic (ducks for cover). The new Real Madrid star will undoubtedly draw the attention but this Serbia squad is full of top-flight and indeed senior international experience. Captain Vukasin Jovanovic enjoyed an impressive enjoyed an excellent second half of the season to edge out the aforementioned goal getter, averaging 2.4 interceptions per 90. He ended the campaign as the Ligue 1 side’s highest rated player as they conceded just 0.8 goals per game in the 23-year-old’s 15 starts, and picked up 1.4 points per game compared to 0.87 without him.