Will any Leicester City players still at Euro2020 lift the trophy?

Which Leicester City players remain at Euro2020, and do any of them stand a chance at winning the trophy with their respective countries?

Blink and you’ve missed it. The EURO 2020 Championship has already reached the quarter-final stages, with some big nations like Portugal, Germany, and Netherlands — one potential favourite, France — all being knocked out in the Round of 16.

The question is, aside from following England’s pursuit of glory — which became a lot more realistic after their 2-0 victory against Germany, which Leicester players are still active in the tournament for the Foxes faithful to watch and support?

The Belgian contingent are still going strongly, with Youri Tielemans being a crucial component of Roberto Martinez’s Red Devil’s side. Their Round of 16 game with Portugal saw both Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne leave the field prematurely with injuries. It’s being suggested in the media that they’ll both miss the game against Italy, making Tielemans’ role that more pivotal in the centre of the park.

It’s doubtful that Martinez turns to Dennis Praet for his starting XI, but the Leicester City man could provide additional legs in midfield, quality in possession, and an awareness to danger defensively from the bench. The third and final Foxes player representing Belgium is Timothy Castagne, but the wing-backs double eye socket fracture in their opening game of the tournament has ruled him out for the foreseeable future.

It’s difficult to predict how Belgium’s quarter-final match with Italy will go, particularly with the injuries to key players. Prior to the tournament, I would’ve had Belgium as outside favourites for the entire competition — but with the form of Roberto Mancini’s Azzuri — unbeaten in 27 games and not conceding in over 1,000 minutes of football, I anticipate the Italian’s will reach the semi-finals over the Belgians.

Leicester City captain

Aside from the players rumoured to be joining the Foxes; Domenico Berardi (Italy), Mikkel Damsgaard (Denmark), and Thorgan Hazard (Belgium), the only other Leicester player remaining at the competition is Kasper Schmeichel and Denmark. After recently surpassing the 10-year mark at The King Power stadium, Schmeichel helped the Danes comfortably bypass Wales. With an “easier” tie in the quarter-finals, as they face Czech Republic — it’s a real opportunity for a deep-run in a tournament that started so devastatingly for the entirety of Denmark.

Schmeichel’s role for the national team is very reminiscent of his role in the East Midlands. A leader, commanding his defence, and an exceptional shot stopper. Throughout the competition, Danny Ward highlighted his qualities in Wales’ run to the Round of 16, but he’s definitely still the understudy to Kasper.

If both Denmark and England win their respective quarter-finals, then Schmeichel will be facing Gareth Southgate’s side in the semi-finals. I’d anticipate a win for England — especially with the fixture being played at Wembley, but they’ll need to progress passed Ukraine in Rome before reaching the semi-finals.

At the start of the tournament, Leicester City had six — or seven if you count Cengiz Ünder — players represented at the EURO’s, now they have three. Is there a chance for silverware? Absolutely, Belgium are probably the front runners for a Foxes player to end the summer victorious. But overall, I expect a final between Italy and — somewhat apprehensively — England. Perhaps it’s not the summer for Leicester City representatives — but, just maybe, it’s England’s time to shine.