EURO 2024 — Young Players We Want To See Called Up (Group A)
Germany will showcase some of the world’s best talents, but Hungary, Switzerland and Scotland all have rising stars of their own.
Euro 2024’s Group A is decidedly one of the most balanced, competitive and interesting to watch in the competition. While the host nation is the group’s uncontested headliner, Germany skulks into Euro 2024 after having one of its worst years in recent memory.
With three wins, two draws and five losses (including a jaw-dropping 1–4 defeat to Japan) in 2023, Die Mannschaft has seemingly recovered this year with two wins against France and Netherlands, and enjoys the full benefits of home advantage in the upcoming Euro. Yet its status as a favorite has never been more in question.
On the other hand, Germany’s opponents in Group A are ascendant… for the most part. Hungary currently holds a 14-match undefeated streak — echoing their iconic “Golden Team” that went undefeated for four years — while Switzerland has only suffered one loss since March 2023. Scotland has had a mixed bag of results in the last year, but it remains a wildcard with the ability to surprise in this competition.
One thing remains a constant for all four nations: they are all expected to field great young players in this year’s Euro. These are the ones we look forward to see shine in Group A.
Germany
Florian Wirtz
Coming out of an incredible season that saw him lead Leverkusen to its first Bundesliga title, Florian Wirtz is expected to play a major role in a German national team rebuilding itself anew.
With 17 goals and 19 assists across all club competions this season, the soon-to-be 21-year-old can provide much-needed depth and flexibility to Germany’s offensive end.
Jamal Musiala
Another player who has affirmed himself at a club level, Musiala is also expected to take part in the German campaign for European football glory.
Shining prominently this season in the Bundesliga and UEFA Champions League at the service of Bayern München, the 21-year-old attacking midfielder/left winger will hopefully shine just as brightly for the national team in this Euro.
Karim Adeyemi
Despite suffering a ligament tear that saw him sidelined for the better part of two months, Adeyemi has put on overall positive performances throughout the 2023/24 season for Borussia Dortmund.
While there is a lot of competition for his position as a left winger (including but not limited to that of our boy Musiala), we do hope to see this 22-year-old represent the Euro’s host nation and dazzle defenders with his speed and technique.
Maximilian Beier
An unlikely name to surface on this list at the beginning of the 2023/24 season, Beier has nonetheless earned every right to be called up to the Euro 2024 squad.
The centre-forward has led Hoffenheim in an up-hill battle to stay in Bundesliga’s Top 10 with his 13 goals and 4 assists in 30 games. We are counting on the 21-year-old to continue his goal-scoring performances for Die Mannschaft in the upcoming Euro.
Tom Rothe
Okay, I know what you’re going to say. There’s no way a player of the German second division to be called up to the German national team and play in the Euro.
But bear with me, because Tom Rothe is not just any second division player.
At age 19, Rothe has been one of the cornerstones in Holstein Kiel’s road to Bundesliga promotion this season. As a left-back on loan from Borussia Dortmund, Rothe has amassed 3 goals and 7 assists in 30 appearances.
While his chances of being in Euro 2024 are next-to-none, we do hope the 26-men squad expansion will give a promising talent like Rothe the opportunity to play for his national team at a major tournament.
Scotland
Billy Gilmour
Long hailed as one of Scotland’s next big stars, Billy Gilmour has been a starting player of the Brighton & Hove Albion squad for much of the 2023/24 season, which started off with Brighton seemingly en route to win the Premier League and now sees the club struggling to remain in the top half of the table.
The 22-year old from Irvine is expected to be on Scotland’s starting lineup and provide stability to its midfield as the team faces a tough road to move past the group stage.
Nathan Patterson
Another Scotsman playing in the Premier League, Nathan Patterson’s season has seen him mostly on the Everton bench for league games and on the starting XI for cup and league cup matches.
Having recently suffered a hamstring injury which has forced him to miss the rest of Everton’s season, Patterson’s presence in the final Scotland call-up sheet is still a mystery.
Nevertheless, we hope the 22-year-old defender is able to recover from surgery in time to participate in the Euro and give Scotland a fighting chance to be on the knockout stage.
Josh Doig
Unlike the other two Scottish talents on this list, Josh Doig has found his fortune in Italy rather than in England, claiming a starting lineup position at Sassuolo as the club struggles to avoid relegation.
Despite the current state of his club, we look forward to see this 21-year-old left-back bring a wide array of offensive and defensive skills to the Scottish national team in June.
Hungary
Milos Kerkez
Spearheading the list of Hungary’s young talents is Milos Kerkez, the 20-year-old left-back playing for AFC Bournemouth who has long been referred to as one of Hungary’s rising stars, along names such as Dominik Szoboszlai, Kevin Csoboth and András Németh.
Renowned for his complete skill-set and explosive playing style, Kerkez has enjoyed a consistent presence on Bournemouth’s starting XI and should be an integral part of Hungary’s campaign on the upcoming Euro.
Márton Dárdai
Márton Dárdai is part of a footballer dynasty started by his father, former Hungarian international Pál Dárdai, who represented Hertha BSC between 1997–2011.
Like his father, Márton plays for Hertha in the 2. Bundesliga alongside his two brothers, Palko and Bence, and since March of this year represents Hungary at the international stage after representing Germany at youth levels.
A strong center-back who can move up as a defensive midfielder, Márton Dardai is one of the latest additions to the Magyarók and is expected to play a pivotal role in the national team’s defensive end throughout their Euro run.
Zalán Vancsa
Out of a small Belgian club comes Zalán Vancsa, a 19-year-old left winger that has shocked the Challenger Pro League with 12 goals and 5 assists in 30 games.
The Budapest-native has played every league game for Lommel SK this season and will likely be in the final Hungary squad for the Euro.
Krisztián Lisztes
Another son of a former Hungarian international and formidable young player is Krisztián Lisztes, the 18 year-old midfielder from Ferencvarós who has made 7 goals and 1 assist in 17 games for the Budapest club. His outstanding performance has caught the eye of Bundesliga’s Eintracht Frankfurt, who have already signed the player for €4.5 million.
Given his performance in the Hungarian league and his transfer to the Bundesliga, the odds of Lisztes being the youngest player representing Hungary in this year’s Euro are very high — and we’re all for it too!
Botond Balogh
Botond Balogh has been at Parma for almost five years, yet he has struggled to remain a consistent starter for the Italian club. Nevertheless, this has not stopped the now 21-year-old (will be 22 at the start of the Euro) from affirming himself as one of Hungary’s top centre-backs.
Balogh has played a humble yet significant part of Parma’s success in its quest for Serie A promotion, and will likely join Kerkez and Dárdai in the Hungarian defensive line for the Euro.
Krisztofer Horváth
Having been constantly loaned off by Torino in the past four years, Krisztofer Horváth seems to have found his bearings in his latest loan to Kecskemét, having provided 10 goals and 7 assists in 29 league appearances for the Hungarian club.
As a 22 year-old attacking midfielder, Horváth is one of the league’s top scorers, enjoying what is arguably the best season in his career to date. His great exhibitions will probably grant him a much deserved spot in the final squad call-up.
Switzerland
Fabian Rieder
Fabian Rieder is a bit of a wildcard in the Swiss national team. Having seen very little play time in his first season of Ligue 1 football, the 22 year-old is nevertheless a likely presence in the final 26-men lineup.
Rieder appeared quite often in the Swiss U21 squad throughout 2023, and many have not forgotten his great performances for his hometown club BSC Young Boys. We hope the midfielder can play a larger role for the Nati in this upcoming Euro and cement his status as a player of international caliber.
Becir Omeragic
After stepping up to the demands of FC Zürich’s starting XI at a very young age, the now 22 year-old Becir Omeragic looks to claim a hotly-contested center-back starting spot in the Swiss national team.
The Montpellier HSC player has been a constant presence in the French side as the club fights to end the season at the top half of the table. He returned to international caps this year after nearly four years since his debut, foreboding a likely call-up from coach Murat Yakin.
Aurèle Amenda
In direct contest for a center-back spot is Aurèle Amenda, a 20 year-old standing at 1,97m/6'5" and appearing regularly for BSC Young Boys, on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Amenda has yet to debut for the Swiss senior team, but his undisputed place as a starter in the U21 lineup suggest the center-back is ready to take the next step and represent Switzerland in the Euro.
Ardon Jashari
Currently having an outstanding season in the Swiss league, Ardon Jashari is arguably a sure presence in the national team — and one of its best players, too.
The 21 year-old midfielder and captain of FC Luzern has scored 5 goals and made 5 assists in 31 league games, which in turn has prompted Belgian side Club Brugge to sign him for €6 million. We look forward to see Jashari represent Switzerland in June and showcase his brilliance on the international stage.
Pascal Loretz
Another young player of FC Luzern, Pascal Loretz has been the last line of defense throughout the Swiss club’s season, having clinched 9 clean sheets in 33 appearances.
Despite his young age and competition with other capable goalkeepers, Loretz has become one of the Swiss Super League’s top shot-stoppers in the span of a season, leading many to believe he could follow in the footsteps of prominent Swiss internationals like Yann Sommer and Diego Benaglio. Perhaps the 26-men squad expansion will give room for a young Loretz to take part in this year’s Euro.
Albian Hajdari
Yet another center-back looking for a spot in the final Swiss lineup is Albian Hajdari, a 20 year-old who has claimed a place in the starting XI of Swiss club FC Lugano.
With 3 goals in 29 league games, Hajdari has had an impressive season at club level and has been featured consistently in the Swiss U21 team for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship Qualifying. He has yet to debut for national team at a senior level and he may yet choose to represent Kosovo instead, but it would be reaffirming of his rising form to see Hajdari wear the colors of the Rossocrociati in this Euro.
