Stars of the Euros

25 players to watch this summer

(France)

As he proved when netting a fine goal in only his second international appearance for “Les Bleus” - a sublime over-the-shoulder flick in a thumping 7-1 victory over Ukraine six months ago - 18-year-old Rennes midfield prodigy Camavinga is a special talent, indeed, a teenager destined to go all the way to the top.

Les Bleus head coach Didier Deschamps is the dictionary definition of conservatism, never one to gamble unless he absolutely has to. But even the risk-averse Deschamps found himself unable to resist Eduardo’s charms, bringing the midfielder into the national team fold as quickly as possible. Camavinga, only 17 years and 11 months old when making his full international debut last autumn in a Nations League tie versus Croatia, is very much a history-maker - France’s youngest debutant since 1914.

“It’s not just a case of his enthusiasm; in spite of his young age, Eduardo has the capacity to perform to a high standard,” gushed Deschamps last year. “Generally

speaking, we first and foremost expect young players to bring lots of life and energy to the table. He can do things which other youngsters do less well, notably his distribution, ball control, movements, the quality of his passing. What’s more, he’s very versatile and has a strong all-round game. He has everything going for him. He has a bright future.”

The smart money says that this will be his last season in Brittany with Rennes. More or less every top European club currently has his agent Jonathan Barnett (who most notably has Gareth Bale on his books) on speed dial, and Euro 2020 will hand the prodigy the most prominent of shop windows to showcase his incredible talent.

For quite some time, Real Madrid were thought to be in pole position for his signature. However, according to reports from France and Spain, a more realistic destination is the Premier League, where Chelsea or Manchester United are ready to lay down serious amounts of money. An outstanding Euros could see the rumoured figure (currently €50m) climb considerably higher.

(Turkey) Tremendously combative Juventus centre-back, who has bounced back well after tearing cruciate ligaments early in 2020. Turkey coach Senol Gunes puts a premium on a granite defence, one which does not make unenforced errors. Demiral, 23, fits that bill. His Champions League experience should be a boon for the Turks too.

(North Macedonia) Apart from his silky technique, the 21-year-old Napoli midfielder owes much of his good standing in the European game to his great versatility, to his capacity to deliver in any number of roles: as a “false nine”, playmaker, box-tobox operative or on the left side of midfield. Can cause damage a plenty with his dribbling raids.

(Croatia)

After a bit-part brief in his country’s march to the 2018 World Cup final - a start in the group phase win over Iceland was his sole piece of the action - the Marseille defender has a considerably more active role for the Croats these days. The 24-year-old centre-back is by far the team’s most accomplished defender and, with him in the line-up, the men in the famous red-and-white checks have a much more balanced look. In a team awash with attackingthird brilliance, he is the guarantor of the side’s rear-guard solidity.

Bought by Marseille from leading Austrian side RB Salzburg in the summer of 2018, he initially struggled to fit in at the Provencal outfit, red-carded against Lyon in one of his very first matches, ball-watching and taking a good six months to hold down a regular place.

Many Marseille supporters were quick to brand him a €19 million waste of money, but showing great character, he dug in and proved them wrong, forcing himself back into the starting line-up and making himself undroppable.

He was particularly impressive for Marseille in the 2019-20 campaign, playing a key role as the southern French club secured the runners-up spot in Ligue 1. This was a Caleta-Car far removed from the hesitant, careless youngster, who looked like a fish out of water on arriving at the Stade Velodrome. Here was a centre-back with all the required qualities: the physical presence, strength in the air, powers of anticipation, comfort on the ball and offensive set-piece threat. Crucial to his marked improvement in France was Marseille assistant coach Ricardo Carvalho, who, of course, was a topdrawer stopper during his playing days for Porto, Chelsea and Portugal.

Caleta-Car recently came close to moving to Merseyside. Desperate for central defensive reinforcements, Liverpool tried to sign him in the January transfer window only for Marseille to nix the deal.

(Switzerland) Fast-improving Monchengladbach central defender whose strong work over the last couple of seasons has reportedly caught the eye of Bayern Munich and a string of Premier League outfits. Quick over the ground, resilient and precise in his distribution. With Gladbach since 2015, joining them from FC Zurich.

(Slovakia)

The Genk defensive midfielder arguably is the most underrated player in the Slovak side. He effectively is the glue which holds the unit together, tactically very aware, industrious, good technically and able to turn his hand to multiple briefs. A real leader of men, he played for Viktoria Plzen in his homeland before moving to Belgium in 2019. (Netherlands)

Forced to the sidelines for six months after tearing his ACL late in 2019, the maverick Dutch striker would have been, in normal circumstances, a European Championship write-off. But with the COVID-19 pandemic rearing its ugly head and UEFA compelled to postpone the continental finals for 12 months, the 27-year-old Lyon striker now has a second bite at the cherry.

The Netherlands powers-that-be can only be relieved that the Euro 2020 finals were put back. Take the marauding and bullish Depay out of the team and you remove the vast bulk of the “Oranje” firepower. With all respect to the likes of fellow national team front-men Donyell Malen (PSV), Luuk de Jong (Sevilla) and Wout Weghorst (Wolfsburg), they are not remotely of the same line-leading calibre. Prior to his injury, Depay was an irresistible XXL figure for Netherlands, scoring six goals in qualification as well as providing eight assists. He was the heartbeat of the team and remains so to this day. If Depay is on song, invariably the Dutch hit the right notes.

Somewhat ominously, new Dutch boss Frank de Boer does not agree with

predecessor Ronald Koeman that Depay should automatically play in his best position through the middle. In a couple of recent Nations League fixtures, De Boer switched Depay to the left flank, allocating the main striker role to De Jong. De Boer thinks it makes for a better balance. As for Depay, he insists he has no problem with the change of role: “It feels familiar to me [out on the left]. It’s not as though I’ve never played there.

I can work in either position. I played with Luuk [de Jong] for a long time at PSV. We know each other well. I know how to connect with him and vice versa.”

Apart from the collective mission of restoring Oranje pride after a few barren years, Memphis will be thinking along personal lines too. His contract with Lyon is drawing to a close and he has made no secret of his desire to move on. He will be spoilt for choice, with Barcelona, Juventus and a number of leading Premier League clubs thought to be keen on a “wages only” killing.

(Finland)

After playing a preponderant role in Rangers’ recent conquest of the Scottish Premiership, the cultured and athletic Finland midfield holder will be looking to keep up the good work on national team duty. A metronomic passer of the ball, he does the fine job of linking the play and setting a rhythm. Once at the Arsenal academy. (Czech Republic) Czech defensive midfielder and David Luiz lookalike who apparently has a number of top-flight English scouts running the rule over him. Currently featuring for Spartak Moscow in Russia, his stock in trade is his dynamism, drive, boundless energy and tough tackling. His country’s most impressive performer at the 2017 European Under-19 finals. (Italy)

While Lazio goal machine Ciro Immobile and Torino front-line hulk Andrea Belotti remain atop the “Azzurri” striking pecking order department, more and more Italian pundits are wondering out loud whether the time is right for a recall for the experienced Genoa hitman, who after several years of underachievement, has suddenly reemerged with all guns blazing. Should Italy coach Roberto Mancini need an impact substitute to call on in these finals, he could do far worse than summon Destro.

Now aged 30, Destro, who won the last of his eight international caps way back in November 2014, has been a one-man Serie A wrecking crew of late, netting no fewer than eight goals between December and late January. The archetypal penalty-box poacher, cunning and opportunistic, the former Siena, Milan, Roma and Bologna spearhead has been enjoying an Indian summer, playing with the freshness, hunger and verve which typified his play

as a young gun many moons ago.

During his early days at Siena and Roma, he was regarded as one of the hottest properties in the country. Then, mysteriously and without warning, he lost his mojo, going from would-be ace to wandering journeyman. Most observers of the Italian scene had long counted him out. So what a surprise it has been to watch his recent renaissance, an upturn undoubtedly facilitated by a return to his old Genoa stomping ground, the club where he began his Serie A odyssey over a decade ago.

What’s amazing is that after repeated countless setbacks at Milan and Bologna, he was still full of confidence and ambition at the start of this season. “The national team is not a closed chapter for me,” he told the Secolo XIX newspaper. “I have played for Italy and I hope, who knows, to be able to do it again. The European Championship is coming up in June and it is a beautiful opportunity, but it all begins here in Genoa, with what I manage to do, to demonstrate on the pitch.” (Sweden)

Still only 21 - though he seems to have been around for an age - the prolific Real Sociedad striker has come a long way since a much-publicised switch from AIK Solna to Dortmund in 2017 turned out to be a two-year mistake. In January 2017 he became the youngest ever goalscorer in the history of the Swedish national team (17 years, 113 days).

(Belgium) In only his second season as a starter at Anderlecht, this elegant young midfielder can do no wrong at the moment, appointed club captain at the age of just 21 and often compared in style to Barcelona and Spain playmaker Sergio Busquets. With Axel Witsel likely to miss Euro 2020 through injury, Lokonga could get the replacement call.

(Portugal)

Since quitting Benfica for Atletico Madrid in the 2019 off-season for a whopping €126 million, the golden boy frontrunner has had his ups and downs at the Wanda Metropolitano, sometimes sublime and decisive, at other moments unconvincing and petulant. But there can be no denying that the 21-year-old is a rare talent and has the skills and vision to change a game at any given moment. With his vivid imagination, wonderful array of skills, and clever mobility, the “Menino de Ouro” makes it all look so effortless, and why wouldn’t he rise to the occasion in the European finals? This is a stage made to measure for someone of his gifts.

The competition for places in the Portuguese attack is arguably more intense than any other part of Europe. In the shape of the institution that is Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix,

Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, Eintracht Frankfurt marksman Andre Silva, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, Wolves wingers Pedro Neto and Daniel Podence and Barcelona youngster Trincao, Portugal boast the ultimate well-stocked warehouse. Their coach Fernando Santos only has room for three of them and with Ronaldo occupying one berth, that means Felix can take nothing for granted.

The good news for the Atletico starlet is that for all Fernando Santos’ innate caution, the Portugal boss has made a point of sticking by him in recent times. He started six of Portugal’s eight fixtures in 2020, scoring three goals and setting up another. Whether used as a false nine or on the left side, he generally has looked the part. Fernando Santos clearly recognises what Felix has to offer as a difference-maker and flexible threat. Cristiano Ronaldo may no longer have the mobility, but he does have the experience, presence, marksmanship and the creative impulses of Felix to feed off. Given the freedom to roam laterally and vertically, Felix’s magic touch could be Portugal’s trump card as they seek to defend their title.

(Denmark)

Happy to play full-back on either flank, the 23-year-old Atalanta new recruit combines athleticism, pace and lashings of attacking adventure. Previously with Genk in Belgium, he was instrumental to their domestic league title success of 2018-19, racking up no fewer than ten assists and four goals. Cost Atalanta €10 million in January.

(Scotland)

In-form central midfielder currently in the best form of his career for high-flying English second-tier side Norwich City. Great heart and work rate, drives forward with purpose and extremely intelligent in his covering duties. Netted the winning penalty in the shootout victory over Israel in the play-offs. (England)

Will England boss Gareth Southgate be bold and make use of the exciting young Manchester City midfielder at Euro 2020? Foden’s experience with the Three Lions may be extremely limited, but there’s a growing body of opinion on the Premier League circuit that the Stockport-born whizz kid would give a vital extra dimension to England’s engine room. Whether used centrally, on the left or as floating centre-forward, 20-year-old Foden clearly is an outstanding prospect, one whose natural habitat is the highest level of the game.

More often than not this season, he has been a class apart for runaway Premier League leaders City, recording innumerable goals and assists across all competitions. He appears to have it all: brilliant technique in tight areas, that rare ability to glide past opponents,

an eye for a killer pass, craft and cunning when working between the lines, energy, application and shooting power. An increasingly influential cog in a club side bang in form, he certainly is not short of confidence and there’s every possibility the

left-footer would bring that selfassurance and winning mentality to the national team.

The kid was just born to play football in the stratosphere. One only has to look at the exceptional performance he produced in City’s 4-1 trouncing of Liverpool at Anfield in February. Poor Liverpool. They simply could not lay a glove on him, helpless to stop his driving runs, finesse, balance on the ball and smart end-product. The goal he scored, City’s fourth on the night, was the cherry on the cake of a brilliant individual display.

Not so long ago, many pundits were screaming that he needed to leave the Etihad Stadium for more regular game-time, that City manager Pep Guardiola was holding him back. So much for that assessment. All in all, Pep has handled Foden’s evolution with great care. He’s brought him along slowly and English football should thank him for it.

(Spain)

You could say without fear of contradiction that the Valencia skipper and left-back has become a lucky charm for “La Roja”. In his opening 12 games for the Spanish national team - a period spanning his debut in September 2018 to November last year - Gaya has not once ended up on the losing side. Incredible how symmetrically this sequence of his has turned out, starting with a 6-0 Nations League win over Croatia on his debut and culminating in an identical margin of victory in the same competition against Germany.

It’s not hard to see why Spain coach Luis Enrique sees him as such a key component in the reconstruction of the Reds, regarding him as a much better option at left-back than long-serving national team stalwart Jordi Alba of Barcelona. While Alba clearly is past his prime, Gaya, 25, still has plenty of untapped potential and when that process does come to fruition, what a player he will be.

Anyone needing any further proof of Gaya’s quality ability should check out his recent displays in the Nations League against Germany. He was quite superb in both games, tenacious in the tackle, forever shuttling backwards and forwards and supplying final ball quality galore. In the first encounter with the Germans, a 1-1 draw in Stuttgart, he was on hand to bundle home an injury-time equaliser. In the return in Seville, he was again to the fore, bagging two assists.

A one-club man, a product of the Valencia youth ranks, he may feel more than a little relieved to be linking up with the Spain squad for a spot of continental trophy-hunting. This has been a disastrous season for all concerned at Valencia, the team involved in a relegation battle and fans and board conducting a civil war. For a player with a deep affinity with the club, that has to hurt. In his heart of hearts, he may not want to leave the Mestalla, but probably will have to. Destination Barcelona or Real Madrid. A good European Championship will help cash-strapped Valencia boost the asking price.

(Portugal) 25-year-old holding midfielder who has proved a revelation this term for Portuguese league pacesetters Sporting. Deservedly earned his first call-up to the national squad in March. At a time when William Carvalho and Danilo are not playing regularly for Betis and PSG respectively, Palhinha could soon overtake them both.

(Wales) Indefatigable Swansea City full-back or wing-back with obvious hyperactive tendencies and a happy knack of scoring goals at vital times. Little wonder he is so popular at the Liberty Stadium; he is a local lad, a lifelong Swans supporter and plays with a smile on his face. Relaxes off the pitch in his carpentry workshop. (Hungary)

Euro 2020 should be the perfect tonic for the extravagantly-gifted Magyar midfielder who, since joining RB Leipzig from Salzburg in January, has got used to grinding his teeth in frustration, laid low by a recurrent abductor problem. Instead of the thrill of a Bundesliga title race and a Champions League head-to -head with Liverpool, the 20-year-old has had to exist on a meagre diet of treatment rooms and rehabilitation centres. Expected to be fit for this summer’s main event, he most definitely will be looking to make up for lost time with a strong showing in the finals.

This is one tournament he definitely will not want to miss. Not only do the Hungarians have two prestigious fixtures on home soil in the group phase (games in Budapest v Portugal and France). He and the Magyars also head to Munich to face Germany. The latter match-up

on June 23 against the country where he now resides represents a mouthwatering opportunity for him - to show his country of residence exactly what he can do.

It cannot be stressed enough how much Hungary rely on the inspiration

of Szoboszlai. A large proportion of the team’s attacks are channelled through him and he literally booked their ticket to these finals, scoring a magnificent last-minute winner in the 2-1 play-off victory over Iceland. A masterclass of a goal, picking the ball up in his own half, driving forward and lashing home an unstoppable right-footer.

Former Germany World Cup-winning captain Lothar Matthaus, who once coached the Hungarian national team, has gone as far as to compare Szoboszlai to all-time Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas. “Although Puskas is an idol to all Hungarians, myself included, I don’t want to be the next Puskas,” he declared on his unveiling in Leipzig. “I’d rather be seen as Dominik Szoboszlai, to be a role model for Hungarian kids myself.”

Two-footed, able to operate in a variety of positions in the attacking third, incredibly hard working and packing a rocket shot, this “Magnificent Magyar” is only starting to warm up.

(Austria)

At his German club Wolfsburg, they call the 23-year-old “The Pressing Machine” and it’s an apt description. One of the most fearsome ball-winners in the Bundesliga, the central midfielder puts his heart and soul into every game, never concerned about putting his body on the line. Joined Wolfsburg from RB Salzburg in the summer of 2019. (Netherlands) Lightning-quick central defender, who despite playing for Bundesliga strugglers Mainz, recently received his first call up to the “Oranje” squad. If Liverpool back-four ace Virgil van Dijk does not recover in time for the Euro 2020 kick-off, St Juste may be the one to fill the huge void alongside Matthijs de Ligt. (Germany)

If the words of German Bundestrainer Joachim Low are anything to go by, the tiny Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder has every chance of being one of the Nationalmannschaft’s wild card picks at Euro 2020.

Currently on loan at Eintracht from Napoli (who he joined in the summer of 2018), the 27-year-old Younes, has been in fine fettle at the Waldstadion this term and, conveniently for him, Low was present at arguably his best display of the campaign: a goalscoring Man-of-the-Match performance in Eintracht’s shock 2-1 home won over champions Bayern Munich in February.

“Amin Younes had a very good game,” the Germany coach declared afterwards. “He’s gradually finding his rhythm again. His technique and movement were outstanding. He’s the sort of player who can resolve one-on-one duels in the best way possible.” Younes is, in many ways, the identikit Low player: lively, alert, full of eagle-eyed vision and a wonderful dribbler.

Younes, previously on the books of Borussia Monchengladbach, Kaiserslautern and Ajax, has played for Low’s Germany before, winning five full international caps in 2017 and helping the side win the Confederations Cup in Russia that year. He netted twice in those

“Nationalelf” run-outs, but subsequently fell out of favour, his selection claims undermined by a host of problems while at Ajax (knee trouble, loss of form and a lengthy suspension from first-team duties). He was his own worst enemy with the Amsterdammers, hit with a playing ban in the spring of 2018 after refusing to come on as a late substitute. “This was my biggest mistake,” he confessed to German news agency DPA. “You don’t do something like that. You must always be professional, regardless if you come on for a minute or thirty seconds.”

Born in Dusseldorf to a German mother and Lebanese father, Amin seems to have learned his lesson. The moral of the story? Come what may, ability always will shine through. (Germany)

As long as he manages to control his weight - an issue which the media have flagged Sule will have a crucial part to play for the Nationalmannschaft at the Euros. The Germans do have a soft centre at the back and they have to be pleased that Bayern man-mountain Sule is now available again after missing much of last season with an ACL injury.

(Ukraine)

Reported to be on the watch-list of several European clubs, the 19-year-old Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper has been enjoying a season to remember, supplanting veteran Andriy Pyatov as Shakhtar’s No.1, earning rave reviews in the Champions League and threatening to snatch Pyatov’s long-held position as national team custodian.