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The most prestigious football tournament of Europe is set to take off from June 8th hosted by Poland-Ukraine. As we all gear up for the 14th UEFA European championship let’s have a look at a few of the budding players, who could well be the stars of tomorrow, the future of their countries and clubs, subjects of huge transfer sagas and the prospective legends of the game. 10 young players who are likely to sizzle besides the shadow of the big names:
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1. Robert Lewandowski (Poland and Borussia Dortmund):
Lewandowski is one of the young guns to look forward to at the Euros. He has been in sublime touch this season for his club Borussia Dortmund netting as many as 22 goals in 34 appearances. With no major names upfront for his native side,, Robert will surely have some eyes glued at him when Poland take the field. Lewandowski was named Bundesliga player of the season 2011-12. In recent times his form has been superb and his last few goals have been decisve; 3 against Bayern Munchen in the DFB Pokal final and 2 against freiburg in the last match of the Bundesliga to seal the title. Not only did he score against the weaker teams but he was clinical against Bayern Munchen and Borrusia Monchengladbach.
2. Olivier Giroud (France and Montpellier):
Olivier Giroud is a French Striker who has just broken into the scene this season after being the player of the season for Montpellier as well as Ligue1 player of the year. He is in prime form scoring 21 goals for his club and played an intrinsic part in Montpellier’s success. He is known for his built, looks, skills, headers and match-winning strikes. As all major clubs are in pursuit for landing him Montpellier president declared that Giroud won’t be a cheap buy. Although Laurent Blanc would be under some sort of pressure with Benzema, Remy and Giroud all at his disposal but Giroud will be a name which he can’t bench specially after sparing the blues for France last Sunday against Iceland in a warm-up match by setting up both the equalizer and the winner.
3. Yann M’Vila (France and Rennes):
At the age of 21, Yann M’Vila is the decisive first name that Laurent Blanc would pen down the team sheet. He is unparalleled in defensive techniques and tenacity. M’Vila is one of those ‘leader’ kind of players who are indispensable for a team. A busy, bustling presence on the ball, M’Vila is blessed with excellent awareness and is always looking for an incisive forward pass and these traits resulted in making him the most successful passer with 84% passing percentage. He could play for any top-eight European club and he will not come cheap, however, and his performances in Poland and Ukraine are only likely to add to his steadily soaring value. Yann is a guaranteed starter and the heart of the central midfield for the Les Bleus.
4. Iker Muniain (Spain and Athletic Bilbao):
The 19 year old forward’s rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed in the football world after he first caught attention by becoming the youngest goalscorer in La Liga in 2009. Muniain is a typical Spanish product whose style of play made the media dub him as the “Spanish Messi”. His tiny size is also an add-on as it is difficult for the defenders to mark him. He was a requisite member of the Spain under-19 and under-17 teams. His performance against Manchester United in the Europa League earned him a lot of admiration. Muniain was the La Liga Breakthrough Player of the year 2010-11. Although Spain’s squad is engraved with huge names, this ‘Little Wizard’ will be a player to watch in the absence of David Villa.
5. Mario Götze (Germany and Borussia Dortmund):
Mario Götze is just 19 and is there anything he cant do? He’s already a German and BVB starlet. Explosive, hard working and ability to find space both with the ball and without, excellent control, creativity and finishing ability have made this 19-year-old one of the Bundesliga’s key players. He is great technically and has a good eye for goal. The biggest plus about him is he’s clinical and subtle with both feet. Gotze is a midfielder of enterprise and is one of the best men in the world who link midfield to attack. Season 2010-11 was a career high for him in which he netted 6 times and assisted 15 other. Although 2011-12 was a bit quiet for him due to injuries, Euro 2012 could well be the stage where ‘the Golden Boy’ could unleash his potential.
6. Lukk de Jong (Netherlands and FC Twente):
Luuk De Jong is a Dutch footballer. He has been the most prolific strikers of this season scoring 25 times in the Eredivisie and 4 times in the Europa League. He is a striker with breathtaking chutzpah and finesse. The 21 year old’s heroics in front of the goal have made major clubs splash water like ducks to lure him. Luuk is big, strong, brilliant in the air and scores goals with ease. He has every quality a top class striker needs to have for a big club. Luuk has every chance to become the successor of Robin Van Persie. Holland side is packed with top class players and it would be a test of metal for Lukk de Jong to deliver in whatever opportunity comes by, in tandem with the likes of Persie and Robben.
7. Christian Eriksen (Denmark and Ajax):
Christian Eriksen is the 19 year old Dane who plays for Ajax. He has been regarded as the successor of Denmark legend Michael Laudrup. Eriksen is an incredible talent and the only issue with the upcoming star is the team he belongs to, which is not very capable of making it to the final stages of any tournament and this time Denmark is placed in the ‘Group of Death’ which is going to make it more difficult for Eriksen to contribute single-handedly. Eriksen is a trequartista, like Ashley Young and Juan Mata. He is a penetrating, skillful dribbler who could also play in a set up for 3 up-front. He was deservedly named Dutch Football Talent of the Year for his standout display with the ball in the year 2011. He could prove to be the Talisman for the Morten Per Olsen.
8. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (England and Arsenal):
At the age of 18, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the new kid on the block in English football. He is the most talked about young talent in the past 6 months due to his sudden surge of form. Impressing pundits and viewers alike with his purposeful pace and superb technical ability on the wing. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is going to be the most exciting player at the Euros with his knack of instigating nuisance in attacks. He was put under the limelight by the British media soon after his full debut against Manchester United. The new England manager Roy Hodgson is full of praise for the 18 year old claiming that Chamberlain could be an integral part of the team at the championship. Chamberlain with his Leopard like approach will be all set to pounce on every oppurtunity that comes his way and show his ample abilities at Poland and Ukraine.
9. James McClean (Republic of Ireland and Sunderland):
James Mclean is one of the most exciting young talents in of the English Premier League. He created some havoc in the 2011-12 season after breaking into the first 11 at Sunderland under the leadership of Martin O’ Neil. With the Ireland team packed with decent talents, Mclean is the youngest and the most laid back member of the squad. He possesses a threatening left foot, is a fine dribbler and is a decent dribbler. Mclean is one like Gareth Bale who lines up on left and makes the right backs fizzle out of their senses Mclean has tremendous control while making a run forward with the ball. At the Euros this June-July no one would fail to be impressed by this nimble footed winger.
10. Alan Dzagoev (Russia and CSKA Moskva):
Alan Dzagoev is a bit of a less talked about and an underestimated prodigy as he plays for the Russian Premier League. But he was the Best Young Player in the Russian Premier League in 2008. Dzagoev being 21 is the future of Russian football. Regarded as the “RUSSIAN MESSI” has been monitored by top clubs of Europe including Manchester United and Juventus. Alan has showed his killer instincts in the Champions League and in the qualifying phase of Euro scoring 4 goals and assisting 1. With Russian squad not studded with many many match-winners Dzagoev could be the sole heart in the Russian’s attack. Alan has a great head on his shoulders and can add a spark in the midfield. Alan Dzagoev is a certain Russian player to watch this summer.
