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With Euro 2020 just around the corner, which five players should you watch out for at the tournament?
On 11th June, 24 teams will go head to head across 11 different cities in the hope of not only lifting the Henri Delaunay Trophy, but to bring pride to their country after what’s been a difficult year.
The last 15 months have been turbulent to say the least, with the coronavirus pandemic affecting the sporting world drastically, forcing UEFA to make the difficult decision of postponing the European Championships for the first time since the competition was formed in 1960.
However, the start of the tournament marks the return to some from of normality as fans are welcomed back into stadiums to watch some of Europe’s finest players, but which ones can make an impact on the biggest of international stages?
Here are five players to keep an eye on at Euro 2020:
Alexander Isak (Sweden)
The 21-year-old centre forward has big boots to fill with the news that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss Sweden’s campaign with a knee injury, but if he can replicate his form at club level it will go a long way in doing so. Isak struggled to make an impact for Real Sociedad at the start of the season, however since the turn of the year his form has been very impressive.
In his first six appearances in 2021 the youngster scored nine goals, including a 65 minute hat trick against Alaves in which he only had 12 touches in his time on the pitch, underlining just how clinical he can be in front of goal. At 6″2 he also acts as the perfect springboard for the Swedish attack, due to his ability to hold up the ball and bring others into the game with delicate passes.
Isak’s repertoire of skills doesn’t end there, as he’s deceptively quick for someone of his stature, and therefore can suit a team that prefers to play through balls in behind the opposition defence. The talisman also likes to drop deep to contribute to the build-up, often utilising his quick-feet in tight spaces to evade incoming tackles before finding a pass to a teammate.
Sweden face a tough challenge to make it out of the opening stages of the tournament with the likes of Spain and Poland in their group, but if they are to do so they will need Isak firing on all cylinders from the first whistle.
Federico Chiesa (Italy)
After failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Italy seemed to have turned a corner under new boss Roberto Mancini, and go into the tournament as the dark horses having not lost in over two-and-a-half years. The 56-year-old has rejuvenated their side by putting faith in the talented pool of youngsters coming through the ranks, one of which being Chiesa, who has endured a stellar debut campaign at Juventus.
The elusive winger notched 15 goals along with 11 assists in all competitions this season, including the winner in the Copa Italia final against Atalanta, making him the shining light in an otherwise underwhelming campaign for the Old Lady.
Chiesa’s direct style makes him the perfect fit in Mancini’s system as they look to be patient in the build up and dictate possession, but explode in the final third with their attacking flair. The 23-year-old excels in one-on-one situations and will look to isolate his marker in order to create the space to showcase his ability in front of goal.
Despite his excellent form at club level, he’s been unable to make the same impact for Italy having only scored on one occasion in 25 appearances. However, momentum going into a major tournament is important, therefore Chiesa will be hoping to replicate that and burst onto the international scene by contributing in goals and assists this summer.
Pau Torres (Spain)
Despite only making eight appearances for his country, Torres comes into the European Championships having established himself as a guaranteed starter, off the back of an incredible season under Unai Emery at Villarreal. The towering defender is set to be partnered with Aymeric Laporte at the heart of the Spanish defence, which could prove to be key to their side’s success, due to the pair’s combination of technical ability and physical prowess.
The 24-year-old is the epitome of a modern day centre-back as he’s comfortable in possession and likes to receive the ball from the goalkeeper in order to kick start attacks for his team. Over the course of the season, his passing range has become much more progressive, which will help maintain pressure on the opposition while perfectly suiting the possession based approach that Spain will try to implement in this tournament.
Although Torres is still young, he’s been able to hone a pretty impressive defensive skill-set as well, with his reading of the game being one of his main assets. He’s able to exploit his strong physical attributes by pressing high on the attacker to win the ball back, often making crucial interceptions and blocks in the process.
It’s testament to his ability that he was picked over Sergio Ramos in the squad and shows that Luis Enrique sees him as a valuable member of the team for years to come.
Burak Yilmaz (Turkey)
Turkey will be disappointed with their efforts at the 2016 European Championships, as they crashed out at the group stages, but this time around they come into the tournament with renewed hope under experienced boss Senol Gunes. His blend of exciting youngsters and experience makes them a team which most will want to avoid, especially if Yilmaz can continue his scintillating form from this season into it.
The 35-year-old striker has spent most of his career playing in the Turkish league for numerous clubs, scoring 187 goals during his time there in just 323 games, but last summer he decided to take the plunge and test himself in Ligue 1. Yilmaz certainly didn’t disappoint as his 17 goals and five assists fired Lille to their first league title in 10 years and won the veteran striker the golden boot to cap off a fine debut season.
With the creative spark of Hakan Çalhanoğlu behind him to supply the chances and Caglar Soyuncu forming a solid partnership with Merih Demiral at the back, Turkey look to have their best team in years and could be the dark horse this summer.
Jack Grealish (England)
Perhaps Grealish is a surprise addition on this list, but if he’s given the opportunity by Gareth Southgate to get minutes, there’s little doubt about the impact he can make. The 25-year-old has been pivotal to everything positive to come out of England’s two warmup games against Austria and Romina, picking up the man of the match award in one of them fixtures, which potentially strengthened his case to start versus Croatia at the weekend.
Despite his season largely being disrupted by injuries, the influence he had for Aston Villa was crucial, scoring six goals along with 12 assists in 26 appearances. It was no coincidence to see his club sides form drop off massively during his absence and throughout the last couple of months the same could be said when he’s not been on the pitch for England.
Grealish brings an abundance of quality to the attack as his direct running and eye for a pass make him the perfect player to draw defenders out of position before finding the killer final ball. He also brings constant threat in front of goal, which he’s shown in the Premier League this season, and suits England’s style depending on whether they want to press from the front with intensity or sit back in their shape.
The Three Lions are spoilt for choice going forward with a number of exciting attacking players in the squad, therefore his place in the team is far from guaranteed, however if they are to do anything meaningful this summer you wouldn’t put it past Grealish to be heavily involved.
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