Euro 2016: Ones to watch

The Ones to Watch: 5 Players To Keep Your Eye on at Euro 2016

A major tournament is a scout’s heaven. Where our idea of that is to sit on a beach, sip a nice, cool beer and watch the world go by, there’s nothing a scout loves more than unearthing a hidden gem in Iceland vs Hungary.

 

Naturally, we can’t imagine there will be that much going on in the Stade Velodrome during that match, even if Iceland have climbed a staggering 109 places in the FIFA Rankings in just three years. Elsewhere however, there will be plenty of talent making a name for themselves.

 

And with every game on TV, you can keep your eye on emerging talent too. The Premier League will likely snap a number of the tournament’s stars, and here are five who could really become household names across the continent.

 

Yevhen Konoplyanka

Euro 2016 ones to watch

Despite being a mouthful, Yevhen Konoplyanka could be a familiar name to England fans. A full international since 2010 he scored a peach of goal in a 2014 World Cup Qualifier against England putting him on the radar of Liverpool who almost signed the winger for £16million.

 

Instead he made a move to La Liga in July 2015, with a release clause of around €40million, and has been a vital part of the side which so far see them fifth in La Liga and through to the Europa League Round of 16.

 

It’s with the Ukraine this summer though where he’ll be wanting to make the most noise however. Tottenham and Everton have both recently been linked with the player, and should he perform well against the likes of Germany, Poland, and Northern Ireland, it could see bigger boys such as Barcelona, Manchester City, and Chelsea showing an interest.

 

Leroy Sane

Euro 2016 ones to watch

At just 20-years-old, Leroy Sane is one of the hottest prospects in world football. The Schalke midfielder has already garnered a lot of interest with a £42 million price tag being strapped to him with Real Madrid, Liverpool, Barcelona, and Manchester City all interested.

 

It’s unlikely he’ll play a huge part in the championships, having only received one cap in November 2015 friendly against France, during the tragic attacks in the city.

 

He’s certainly stating his case for a place in Germany’s starting XI at the tournament, although we imagine his domestic club may be relieved if he doesn’t keeping him away from the limelight and in Gelsenkirchen for the foreseeable future.

 

Michy Batshuayi

Euro 2016 ones to watch

Michy Batshuayi is no stranger to France having already banged in 19 goals this season for Marseille, but it could be with Belgium for whom he plays his final game at the Stade Velodrome. He’ll obviously be waiting behind Romelu Lukaku and potentially Christian Benteke in the Red Devils pecking order, but he could give his nation some real firepower as they progress through the competition.

 

Premier League clubs are already on red alert and he will most certainly be one to watch this tournament. The Belgian’s will require all the talent possible to see off Italy, Sweden, and Ireland, and rotating the three alongside Hazard, Miralles, and De Bruyne will certainly see them one of the watched most sides this summer.

 

Oscar Hiljemark

Euro 2016 ones to watch

Sweden scraped through to Euro 2016 by the skin of their teeth with a 4-3 aggregate win over Denmark in the playoffs, and we’re sure glad they did. Not only will we get to see Ibrahimovic in what will likely be his last major tournament, but also the exciting talent Oscar Hiljemark.

 

At 23, the tournament will be his first major and he’s already been gaining attention from bigger clubs after some impressive form in Serie A for Palermo. He only joined the club in the summer, but it’s likely he’ll be moving on to bigger and better things following the tournament.

 

A number of Premier League teams are keeping tabs on the midfielder alongside Milan and Napoli who will likely want to keep him in Italy and plying his trade for them.

 

Nolito

Euro 2016 ones to watch

Unlike in 2012 when Spain had an embarrassment of riches up front, 2016 will see them with just one main man in Diego Costa leading the line.

 

Coming through the ranks at a grand 29-years-of-age Nolito looks his biggest threat to the side having netted eight goals in 10 games for Celta Vigo this season. Naturally, that’s only a small amount of games for the club with the striker ravaged by injury, but if fit he’ll most definitely be one to watch this summer.

 

Arsenal seem interested in the player and could trigger his buy-out clause of around £12.6million. A big summer and it won’t be just the Gunners looking at him.

Thatsagoal.com Team

Thatsagoal.com Team

The team behind the betting tips and offers brought to you across thatsagoal.com.
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