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With UEFA Euro 2020 about to begin in a few days, the excitement has reached a crescendo, as some of the biggest footballing nations in the continent will vie to win the prestigious competition.
International competitions like Euro 2020 also provide a good opportunity for players coming off poor seasons to get back to form or attract the attention of a 'big' club.
On that note, let's take a look at five such players who have a point to prove at Euro 2020:
#5 Jordan Pickford (England)
Jordan Pickford became one of the most expensive goalkeepers in the game when Everton splurged £25.6 million in 2017 to sign him from Sunderland.
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Pickford's performances for Sunderland were impressive, but his Everton career has been plagued by inconsistency. The 27-year-old has committed some high-profile errors for the Toffees. He came under the spotlight this season after a dangerous tackle on Virgil van Dijk, which resulted in a season-ending injury for the Dutchman.
There has been debate about whether Pickford should start for England at Euro 2020, as Manchester United's Dean Henderson has provided tough competition. Nevertheless, England manager Gareth Southgate has decided to stick with Pickford for the time being, but the Everton no. 1 will have to be at his very best at Euro 2020.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020.
#4 Alvaro Morata (Spain)
Alvaro Morata is a decent forward, but his form in front of goal tends to be extremely patchy.
Spain manager Luis Enrique has named two strikers in his Euro 2020 squad - Morata and Villarreal's Gerard Moreno. While Moreno enjoyed a good season with Villareal, Morata's Juventus struggled and finished fourth in Serie A. The 28-year old made 23 league starts, scoring 11 goals and providing nine assists.
Morata is not an out and out striker. So it remains to be seen whether Enrique starts Morata or Moreno or if he opts for a more fluid option up front at Euro 2020.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for the Netherlands | UEFA Euro 2020.
#3 Raheem Sterling (England)
Raheem Sterling will have a point to prove at Euro 2020 after a rather underwhelming season with Manchester City. City were the best team in the Premier League in 2020-21, winning the league and reaching the final of the Champions League.
However, Sterling endured a quiet season by his lofty standards. The 26-year old made 28 league starts but scored only ten goals and provided nine assists. The performances of Riyad Mahrez and Phil Foden overshadowed Sterling's.
At Euro 2020, the England international is not a guaranteed starter, considering the attacking talent at Gareth Southgate's disposal.
Sterling has been linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, with rumours that he could be part of a deal to bring Harry Kane to the blue side of Manchester. So Euro 2020 offers a good opportunity for Sterling to get back to his groove and prove his pedigree.
#2 Karim Benzema (France)
France is stacked with so much talent that they managed to win the 2018 FIFA World Cup without Karim Benzema, one of the best strikers in the world.
The Real Madrid star was a surprise inclusion in France's Euro 2020 squad. That's because Benzema last played for the reigning world champions more than five years ago. However, after another stellar season with the Los Blancos, the 33-year old was brought back to the Les Blues' fold by Didier Deschamps.
Benzema, who made 33 La Liga starts in 2020-21, scoring 23 goals and providing nine assists, is likely to start at Euro 2020. France are one of the favourites to win Euro 2020, and their uber-talented squad has been elevated to the next level with the inclusion of Benzema.
#1 Eden Hazard (Belgium)
One of Chelsea's greatest players in recent times, Eden Hazard bid adieu to the Blues in 2019 to join Real Madrid on a £103.5 million transfer.
Hazard was seen as the ideal replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, and Los Blancos subsequently handed him the no. 7 jersey. Two seasons later, it would be fair to say that the only winner from this deal have been Chelsea, who pocketed a good fee from Hazard's sale and reinvested the money well.
The 30-year-old has been consistently injured at Real Madrid. In two seasons, he has made just 43 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring five goals and providing eight assists. With Real Madrid reportedly willing to let him go this summer, Eden Hazard will be keen to prove at Euro 2020 that he still has it in him to be a bonafide game-changer.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for Portugal | UEFA Euro 2020.
