Euro 2016: 4 Young Players To Watch
For soccer fans around the world, summer time is probably the least exciting season. Most of the major European leagues have finished and the only thing left for fans to enjoy are summer transfers news and rumors that continually claim that Manchester United will buy Gareth Bale and Ronaldo for two trillion pounds, and that Barca is interested in a 5 year old wonder kid from an African tribe who is supposed to be the next Lionel Messi. Nothing ever happens and by the time the transfer windows is closed, fans hopes of getting a key signing are tarnished.
However, every two years fans get excited for a summer tournament. In 2014 it was the World Cup and this year it’s the Euros. The Euros is not nearly as exciting or popular as the World Cup, but there’s no denying that it offers a higher quality of soccer than the World Cup. Take for example the match between Bosnia and Iran from the last World Cup, it felt like watching two Mexican amateur wrestlers fight in the main event of Wrestlemania. It wasn’t that the teams were awful or that the game was unwatchable, the problem was that the stage was too big for them.
That rarely is the case with the Euros, where teams are more leveled and the unexpected is actually expected. That was the case in 2004, when Cinderella Greece made it to the final and beat host and favorite Portugal in their home turf. Granted, Greece celebrated so hard that the country went into a never ending recession but their run during 2004 was beautiful to witness.
One of my favorite aspects of the Euros is that it serves as a great platform for young players to showcase their talents for the first time at an international level. In 2004, it was Rooney for England, who was arguably the best player of the tournament until he was forced to leave because of an injury. A young Cristiano Ronaldo also starred for Portugal and helped them reach the finals that same year. For 2008 champions Spain, it was the likes of Fabregas and Da Silva who were starting their international careers and have grown to become World Class players for their respective clubs. Another player who had a coming out party was Luka Modric, who at 22 was included into the team of the tournament for his performances with the Croatian national team.
The 2016 Euros features more countries than usual. For the first time in the tournament’s history, twenty four nations will compete for the cup so the pool of talent is deeper than ever. Let’s take a look at five players I believe will leave their mark on the pitch before the tournament ends:
Anthony Martial — France — Forward
France is loaded with talent but no one has as much potential in that team as Manchester United’s forward Anthony Martial. Martial came through the ranks of Lyon and then moved to Monaco, where he scored 12 goals as a teenager. It is said that Manchester United bought him out of desperation during the last day of the summer transfer window, but Martial has justified his price tag and has been the only bright spot for United this season. His speed and composure are unmatched for a 20 year old, and unlike LA Lakers rookie D’angelo Russell, Martial does have ice-water in his veins.
Dele Alli — England — Midfielder
England has a pretty balanced squad but no one in that squad can produce more magic than Tottenham’s young midfielder. This kid seems to only score beautiful goals and constantly delivers in clutch time. He is arguably Spurs best player and already looks like world class player. If He is not starting for England’s first match, he will start by the second. you’ll witness nothing but pure class from someone who three years ago was playing for MK Dons.
Julian Draxler — Germany — Midfielder
Draxler has been a target for top European clubs since he was 17 years old. But in what some considered a bizarre decision, he chose to stay in Germany and moved to Wolfsburg last summer. At 22, he lacks a bit of consistency but can take over any game. He will come from the bench for Germany but look to him to score a few winners and provide a buffet of exquisite skills for German fans.
Kingsley Coman — France — Winger
How many players can say that they’ve played for Juventus, PSG and Bayern Munich by age 19? The answer is none. Coman has been a champion in France, Italy and Germany and he’s not even old enough to drink (in America). He has been instrumental to Bayern’s success this season, and keeps improving game over game. The Euro stage might make the average 19 year old nervous, but not Coman, who scored against his former team Juventus in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.
