How does Fernando Santos choose Portugal's attacking options for the Euros?

With a plethora of attacking talent at his disposal, Fernando Santos faces a challenging endeavour when selecting six attacking talents from his list of options to make up his Euro 2020 squad this summer.

As young stars continue to impress and others begin to emerge to go alongside the established assets of the national side, Santos’ biggest selection dilema will no doubt be with regards to who he selects to join Cristiano Ronaldo in the forward areas.

With just five other places alongside Ronaldo likely to be reserved for strikers and wingers - potentially rising to six should Santos determine that five central midfielders for this summer’s major international competition will be sufficient - there is set to be a significant tussle between all of the leading candidates between now and the end of the season.

Here we take a brief look at the players that Santos is most likely to currently be considering:

Cristiano Ronaldo

There is, of course, no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo will be included in the 23-man squad come June should there be no injury concerns before then.

The Juventus star may be 36 years of age, but he continues to perform to a sensational level week on week, and seems to only be getting even more productive in front of goal.

That is now 23 club goals in 25 appearances across all competitions for Portugal’s most capped player in history - even by his standards, it is an impressive feat, meaning he is averaging a goal every 91 minutes. Ageing like a real life Benjamin Button, if Portugal want to retain their European crown, Ronaldo maintaining his typically exquisite form will surely be crucial.

Joao Felix

Felix has really found his stride for Atletico Madrid this season. His debut campaign was far from disappointing, but it was clear that it was a season of adaptation and consolidation.

This time around, though, the 21-year old former Golden Boy recipient has become integral to Diego Simeone’s side, well and truly taking on the mantra of talisman, and is well on track to leading Atletico to an impressive title triumph ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Currently leading the way by some distance in the league standings, five points above rivals Real in 2nd with two games in hand, Felix has 6 goals and 5 assists in 18 La Liga matches - as well as scoring a further 3 goals in the Champions League group stage - and has generally shown excellent flair and creativity.

Bernardo Silva

Once an undisputed member of the Portugal team whenever he is fit, this has been an underwhelming season for the Manchester City man, though he has been finding his stride again in recent weeks, finally scoring his first league goal of the season against Aston Villa last month and becoming a permanent starter for Guardiola’s side over the last 10 Premier League matches.

16 league games to his name and just the single goal is far from ideal though, while one assist is also far from spectacular for a player that has so often shown such exquisite technique.

Nevertheless, Bernardo has been a virtual mainstay for the Portugal national team over the last few years, and there is that immovable feeling that he will be guaranteed a place in the squad should he be fit when the competition comes around.

Diogo Jota

Having been on the injury table for weeks now, Jota is well on his way to completing his recovery, which could come at the perfect time to rejuvinate his club, who have been faultering in his absence. Indeed, pre-injury, Jota was in truly sensational form for Liverpool upon joining the English champions from Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of the summer transfer window, having hit the ground running in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Five goals in 9 league outings is impressive in itself, though that several of his appearances came off the bench makes it an even more incredible feat, while his 4 Champions League goals in 6 matches is also stunning, three of those goals having come away against Atalanta.

If he returns to action in the near future and continues in a similar vein of form, he will surely earn a place in Santos’ plans by the summer.

Andre Silva

Truly sensational form from the Eintracht Frankfurt forward to say the least, with Silva well and truly finding his goalscoring prowess - having now netted 18 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions.

Those goals have been spread out over the course of the season too, having found the back of the net in 13 different matches. His consistency has therefore been another major positive - and makes it even more surprising that he actually missed out on the last couple of squads.

He is surely making a very strong push to make the Euros squad though - and even though he is facing competition from a couple of other out-and-out strikers who are also impressing this campaign, he is currently putting himself head and shoulders above the competition.

Pedro Goncalves

Though very highly rated before joining Sporting CP in the summer after an excellent season for Famalicao, very few would have expected him to make a serious claim to be included in Portugal’s Euro 2020 squad - and even fewer would have expected him to be considered an option on the wing.

A very effective and well-rounder central midfielder for Famalicao, Ruben Amorim has redefined Goncalves’ role at Sporting in his exceptional 3-4-3 formation, which has well and truly brought the best out of him.

Goncalves is leading Sporting’s impressive title charge, having already grabbed 14 goals in 16 appearances this campaign, a sensational return that makes him far and away the top scorer in the league and surely puts him in pole position for a surprise inclusion in Portugal’s Euro 2020 squad - particularly if Sporting go on to win the title, which is looking increasingly likely.

Francisco Trincao

There is little doubt in Portugal that Francisco Trincao will go on to prove to be a star for the Portugal national team in the future, and Fernando Santos has already started incorporating him into his first-team plans.

Indeed, since moving to Barcelona, Trincao, aged just 21, has already played 6 times for the senior national team, and is surely in the discussion to add to that in future.

He has also played 27 times for Barcelona already this season, though it must be pointed out that many of those appearances have come off the bench. For a player playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world at such a young age though, it’s an impressive start to life in Spain, and he finally got his first goal for the club last week with a terrific and crucial effort against Real Betis to earn his side all three point.

Pedro Neto

Pedro Neto was highly rated from a very young age, moving to Lazio from SC Braga for big money even when just a teenager - although he did not get much of an opportunity in Italy. He was then very closely linked with a move to Benfica before Wolves swooped in, and he has really shown his vast potential since joining the Molineux club.

Having lost the goalscoring prowess of Diogo Jota, Neto has really stepped up in his performance, playing some very positive, direct football while also contributing to some important goals for his side, though his current total of just 4 goals this season illustrates that this is an area of his game that could still do with improving if he wants to advance to the next level.

He made his senior Portugal debut against Andorra towards the end of 2020, and if he continues his fine performances for Wolves, he will have every chance of claiming a space in Santos’ side.

Daniel Podence

Similar to Pedro Neto, Daniel Podence has also started to leave a strong impression at Wolverhampton Wanderers, the diminutive winger having shown the quick turn of pace in tight spaces that makes him a highly effective forward, comfortable to carry the ball and take on his man.

Podence always plays with a stern look on his face which epitomises his concentration levels and deep desire to impress, and so far it is reaping the rewards. After a slow start at the club, he has worked his way into the team and has been impressing, though is currently sidelined through injury - and could be out of action for some time too.

He will return to action in future though, and if he carries on as he has been when he does so, he will be giving himself every chance of representing his country at Euro 2020.

Rafael Leao

One of the leading competitors for the out-and-out striker spot for in the Portugal squad for Andre Silva is AC Milan’s Rafael Leao. Playing alongside Ibrahimovic, he may be forgiven for being overshadowed, but Leao has held his own and has been a factor in AC Milan’s excellent start to the Serie A campaign.

With 5 goals and 5 assists in the league, Leao has cemented his place in the starting lineup of the Italian leaders after an understandably tricky debut season with the club last campaign.

Just 21 years of age, Leao already has a good deal of experience to his name, having already represented 3 different clubs and having made his senior debut for Sporting three years ago now, and he is well on track to fulfiling his vast potential. This could prove to be the year that he makes his senior debut for the Portugal national team.

Paulinho

Another striker that has been making a name for himself is Braga’s Paulinho. Having been heavily linked with a big-money move to Sporting CP for several months, that transfer was eventually completed right at the end of the January transfer window, and he continues to prove to be a very well-rounded forward who had the season of his life in 2019-20.

He perhaps hasn’t quite hit the heights of that campaign - where he scored 25 goals in 48 appearances - but was, until his departure, still a constant for SC Braga, and netted 10 goals in 24 games across all competitions for Carvalhal’s side - though only 3 of those came in the league.

Nevertheless, he is continuing to get goals fairly regularly and having already represented the Portugal national team, he is clearly a player Santos has in consideration.

Rafa Silva

Benfica have failed to impress so far this season, but Rafa Silva is always a player that is in contention to be called up to the national team, able to offer something slightly different with his pace and explosiveness.

He likely has to do a bit more to beat some of the players in front of him to a place in the Portugal team at Euro 2020, but with 18 caps to his name and 6 goals and 7 assists across all competitions this season, he is in the conversation.

Goncalo Guedes

It is fair to say that Guedes hasn’t had the greatest season so far - with Valencia lingering in midtable with just 24 points from their opening 22 games, Guedes has not been able to have a major impact on the team, with just a single goal to his name in 17 La Liga showings so far.

Guedes, however, has proved a player Portugal can rely on in the past, and he is clearly a player Santos trusts. Should he see an upsurge in form between now and the end of the campaign, he will have a chance of being included.

If you could choose just six of the above players, who would you call up to the Euro 2020 squad this summer?