2024–25 Europa League Team of the Tournament ft. Dominic Solanke

After a long fanfare and multiple venues and teams, the Europa League winners have been decided. Tottenham Hotspur emerged the champions of the tournament after they registered a 1-0 victory against Manchester United in Bilbao. With the win, Tottenham Hotspur sealed the Champions League spot despite having a torrid season in the Premier League. While the tournament winners have been decided, the best players also deserve applause.

In this article, we shall look at the players that made their teams and fans proud. 

Goalkeeper:

1. Nikita Haikin (Bodø/Glimt): The Norwegian club fell short of the finals, but Nikita Haikin deserves applause for his shot-stopping abilities and for keeping the side in the competition whenever they had their backs against the wall. The 29-year-old had 65 appearances to his name, the highest in the competition. His heroics kept the side alive against Lazio in the Round of 8, which helped them advance to the semifinals. 

Defenders:

2. Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur): The right-back deserves the plaudits for the way he performed both in attack and defense for his side in the competition. In 13 appearances, the player had five G/A to put Ange Postecoglou’s side into the knockouts. His 40% of the contributions came in the semifinals, helping the side to reach the finals. Even in the finals, the 25-year-old caused trouble to Mason Mount on the right flank, leading to glory. 

3. Jostein Gundersen (Bodø/Glimt): Bodø/Glimt relied on their defense to have a deep run in the Europa League. Gundersen stepped in at the right time for the side, playing every second of the competition. Averaging 7.7 clearances per 90, the Norwegian international was the defensive stalwart for the side. 

4. Harry Maguire (Manchester United): Once booed for his performance, Harry Maguire was vital for Manchester United throughout the competition. May it be in defense or in the attack with last-minute goals, the English central defender ensured that the club went to the next round. In the quarterfinals, Maguire came in clutch to help the side win in the 121st minute, a happy moment in a rather dull season for the club. 

5. Destiny Udogie (Tottenham Hotspur): While Manchester United fans were overjoyed at the return of Amad Diallo, it was Udogie who was the ultimate boss, keeping them at bay in the final. Not just in the final, Udogie has been a revelation throughout the season for Spurs, filling the much-needed void at the left-back position. The Italian international may not boast the same attacking numbers as Pedro Porro, but his defensive contributions have been immense and crucial to Tottenham’s success.

Midfielders:

6. Rayan Cherki (Lyon): The new midfield sensation in town, the French midfielder, made the best season of his career count. The 21-year-old played a pivotal role in taking his side to the quarterfinals and consistently carried the team. Cherki ended the campaign with eight assists and four goals, with his 12-goal contributions being the highest by any player in the competition.

7. Patrick Berg (Bodø/Glimt): Playing every game in the game while creating chances and winning duels, Patrick Berg did it all for the Norwegian outfit. He not only pitched defensively, but also played a pivotal role in scoring goals as well. One of the best midfielders in the competition, the 27-year-old Berg ensured that Bodo/Glimt reached the semifinals of the competition. 

8. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United): Bruno Fernandes was again the runner-up in the Europa League after a heartbreak in Gdansk four years ago. While he could not take his side over the line in the finals, he did the carry job throughout the campaign, registering goals and assists. He had seven goals and four assists, a joint-highest goalscorer in the 2024/25 season. 

Forwards: 

9. Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao): The Spaniard’s journey in the tournament was cut short due to injury, but that did not stop him from being Bilbao’s standout player in the 2024/25 season. The 22-year-old sensation scored five goals in 12 appearances, with three of them coming in the knockout stage. He netted a brace in the second leg of the Round of 16 against Roma to give his side a strong advantage and added an insurance goal against Rangers. He consistently posed a threat, making life difficult for defenders throughout the tournament.

10. Kasper Waarst Høgh (Bodø/Glimt): While the defensive and midfield contributions of Bodo/Glimt players are highlighted, without Waarst Hogh it would have been a difficult journey for the Norweigan side to reach the place they finished in the competition. He had seven goals in the competition with 1032 minutes under his belt. He finished joint-top scorer in the campaign despite playing a game less than Bruno Fernandes. 

11. Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur): Having a slow start to a career, Dominic Solanke had to make it count when he joined Tottenham Hotspur. Working his socks off in every game, he ensured that Tottenham Hotspur reached closer to the title. Despite being out of action for two months, Solanke had nine G/A to his name, the third highest in the competition. He scored in both the first and second legs of the semis.

Team of the Tournament:

Goalkeeper: Nikita Haikin (Bodø/Glimt)

Defenders: Pedro Porro (Tottenham Hotspur), Jostein Gundersen (Bodø/Glimt), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham Hotspur)

Midfielders: Rayan Cherki (Lyon), Patrick Berg (Bodø/Glimt), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)

Forwards: Nico Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Kasper Waarst Høgh (Bodø/Glimt), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur)

Coach: Ange Postecoglu