9 players to look out for in Euro 2021

Just a little more than 365 days than what was originally planned, Euro 2020 will finally come to fruition this June after the tumultuous year of the coronavirus pandemic that had changed many things in the world of football.

The postponement of the European championship has had an impact on the player choice for the tournament. There are players who, based on their form and talent, could literally have made their nation’s team if the competition were to be hosted in the previous year, it would also be a huge surprise to see them making the squad for the EURO 2021. On the other hand, there are some who would have not been the optimal choice for their national squads a year ago, but they have now grown into important figures for their nations during the last couple of months.

While the likes of France, Belgium and England are favourites to win the tournament, the likes of Portugal and Spain are too far behind. Although a consistent play of Joao Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo would bring Portuguese closer to the second consecutive triumph, the team is going against the odds at 9/1 behind France, England, Belgium and Germany according to the Euro 2021 tipping.

Although the favourite teams of the tournament are apparent, the most important moment before the tournament kicks off is the squad announcement. The favourites must ensure they pick players that would dominate each match in order to get closer to the victory in the end

Below are the top nine players that should earn spots in their national squads deserve a look out for their performance during Euro 2021:

Jadon Sancho

While the former Manchester City winger was having a stellar season at Dortmund in the previous campaign, the brilliant attacker is rather having a silent year compared to the previous years but his sparkle is an attraction to many football fans. Since making his debut two years ago, the Englishman has represented the Three Lions on eighteen occasions having to find the back of the net on just three occasions. With such impressive stat at the club level and national team, the former Watford attacker will be a huge threat to the opposing team in the competition. While he was described as a “great talent” by the fellow Englishman and a spot competitor at the wing, Raheem Sterling, Sancho is expected to play a big role in the Three Lions attack at Euro 2021.

Ruben Dias

Manchester City has secured the talented Portuguese defender to help the team in the outstanding campaign to win the unprecedented quadruple this season. Even John Stones, who has been at the Etihad stadium for several seasons is delighted with the presence of the Portuguese in the team. Furthermore, it wasn’t a coincidence that the center back won the Man of the match in the EURO nations league final two years ago against Netherlands while the likes Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva were at their peak. Presumably, Portugal will be relying on the genius defender during the Euro 2021 and so do football fans who will be hoping to see the brilliancy of the young defender once again.

Frankie De Jong

The importance of the young brilliant midfielder can be easily felt and seen during the current campaign under the belt of new Barcelona boss, Ronald Koeman. The Dutch playmaker had been deployed in all the midfield manners and had played several times in the heart of Barcelona defense due to defensive issues in the team. De Jong is yet to put a foot wrong in all his dealings. While he has played all minutes for Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League and La Liga this season, he has played all minutes for the currently struggling Dutch side as well. The Dutch youngster will be saddled with the responsibility of helping the Netherlands claim a trophy that has eluded them for a long time now.

Virgil Van-Dijk

Since his move from Southampton to Liverpool in January 2019, the Dutch center back has been a revelation beyond phenomenal. While he was voted the second-best player in the world behind the great Lionel Messi in the FIFA the best and Ballon D’or awards. His presence has helped the Liverpool side to the Champions League and Premier League glory, while they have won the FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup in the process. No wonder Liverpool and Netherlands are currently struggling during his absence. The injury might have ended his season, but the Netherlands hope to have their captain back with the team at the EURO 2021.

Ilkay Gundogan

If the EURO 2020 had actually been hosted as originally planned without the interference of the coronavirus pandemic, the chances of Gundogan making the Germany squad would have been slim as the German international scarcely saw game time among the rank of the City’s team. However, during the last couple of months the midfield maestro has become a contender for the best player in the league let alone in Manchester City. The German international is one of the best players in the world right now, while he complements the attack with his goal contribution. With more than 10 league goals for a midfielder, his mobility and possession skills have ensured that Kevin De Bryune has minimal role to play at the heart of City’s midfield. Once again, the Germany will be relying on the combination of Kroos and Gundogan to ensure that Germany succeed in the tournament. The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder will be a focal point for Germany resurrection in the forthcoming EURO 2021.

Kevin De Bruyne

For a player that enjoy making the goals for others rather than scoring the goals himself, Kevin De Bryune is now having 11 assists to his name in the Premier League despite having almost half of his season in silence. The Belgian has now begun to manifest his prowess again, just when it matters as the City are currently in quest for an unprecedented quadruple. De Bryune will be an absolute key for the Belgium in the coming EURO with Eden Hazard to struggle through injuries since his move to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019. However, with blistering form that Romelu Lukaku is having in the Serie A, the workload on the creative midfielder will not be too much to handle but Belgium will be depending on the midfield maestro to deliver their first silverware in more than 40 years.

Kylian Mbappe

At 22 years of age, the French prodigy has won it all except the UEFFA Champions League and EURO, but the PSG star attacker can actually have it all this campaign while the UCL evaded them last time in the hand of the worthy winner, Bayern Munich. However, while the PSG is having an impressive campaign with which it can all go wrong with one match. While the France has begun to show off their weakness in their start opening world cup qualifier matches, they will be hoping to return to their blazing form during this EURO. The French side will looking to put the international double after having won the last World Cup in Russia and failing to win to win the last EURO on their turf. Mbappe will have a major say this June-July with his eccentric pace and sizzling dazzle and the fans should brace themselves to see the newest edition of the French prodigy.

Harry Kane

With 19 goals and 13 assists to his name, Harry Kane is leading the chase for glory in his bid to win the golden boot and playmaker of the year in the Premier League, while he’s a strong contender for the player of the year. Harry Kane has been a blessing to both Spurs and England. In the upcoming EURO, the Three Lion skipper will be looking to help his team play the final in Wembley.

Robert Lewandowski

Without much of a talk, Lewandowski will be the most important player to watch out for in during this EURO 2021 campaign. The Polish striker has been the revelation in world football while breaking series of goalscoring feat in Bundesliga and helping the Bayern Munich dominate the local and continental team in an emphatic manner. The Polish fans will be looking up to the telepathic striker to deliver their first major silverware. However, with Lewandowski, many things can be done and undone depending on the tactical approach of the team, but it will be no doubt that the former Borussia Dortmund striker will be a key figure that dominate the play in the forthcoming EURO.