Euro 2016 – Three Young Players to Watch at Euro 2016

At this summer’s European Championships there will be some of the most exciting young talent on show and today we’re looking at three youngsters to watch.

 

With the summer quickly approaching and some of Europe’s best players about to take to the world stage I will take a look at some of the younger talent that will be on show at Euro 2016.

 

Euro 2016 – Three Youngsters to Watch

 

Dele Alli – Tottenham Hotspur/England

Of course I have to start this article off with one of our very own. This lad has recently turned 20 years old and has broken into the Spurs side following his move from MK Dons, he has since taken the Premier League by storm and given the England boss a lot to think about on what sort of part he should play for England. In terms of club level, he has made 32 appearances, scoring 10 goals and putting a number of assists to his name also.

He has played for England at U17, U18 and the U19’s, he has impressed at all levels which has meant he has earned a call up to the senior squad and was named in Roy Hodgson’s squad for the Euro 2016 qualifying games against both Estonia and Lithuania. It wasn't until November 2015 that Ali was named in the starting 11, this was against France in Wembley when he scored an absolute screamer in a game England went on to win 2-0, he showed great promise by flying into tackles, breaking play up and helping England take the ball forward. Roy showed further trust in Alli by once again starting him against Germany in March 2016 in a memorable game in which England came from 0-2 down to win 3-2.

Deli Ali really has made an impact at every level he’s played at especially this year, he is a player England surely cannot do without at Euro 2016 and if they are to go far in his competition then I am certain Alli will have a big part to play and is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

 

Paul Pogba – Juventus/France

My second Euro 2016 young player to watch comes in at the age of 23 and he will be heavily involved in the midfield of the home nation. Paul Pogba plays in the midfield of Juventus at club level and if you watch him you can see why is such a talent. Rejected by Manchester United and released on a free this is possibly one of the best free signings of recent times. He has so far racked up a number of approaches as he is a strong regular in the side and bangs in just under 10 goals a season for his home club.

Pogba has played for France at every level he possibly could, he’s played many competitions for each level including taking the captains armband at U16 all the way till U20’s when he once again captained his side to victory in the 2013 U20 World Cup, notably taking home the best player award as well, so you can see why he is definitely somebody to keep an eye on in this year’s European Championships. In the 2014 World Cup France left in the quarter finals but that didn’t stop Pogba walking away with the Best Young Player award again. He has already been named in teams of the years for Europe and the World so with such a rich amount of talent around him this time, he can only get better.

Pogba has impressed at all levels for years and lived up to huge expectations, he only seems to be getting better and now playing at home in Euro 2016 I am sure he will once again deliver and prove to be an exciting player to watch this time again.

 

Leroy Sane – Schalke/Germany

My final young player to watch is Leroy Sane, when the time comes to play he will be 20 years old and pushing for a place in the Germany side. Currently playing on the wing at Schalke he has racked up seven goals this season and has shown real promise, that much so he is currently wanted by many big sides throughout Europe.

He has represented Germany at U19, U21 and senior levels. His record so far is one that we would expect of such a young talent he has managed eight goals in 11 appearances for the U19s whilst then going on to score five goals in six appearances for the U21’s. This sort of record meant he was called up to the senior squad for the first time in a friendly against France back in November 2015, he didn’t make the full 90 minutes but I fully expect him to play some sort of part in the Euros.

I don’t expect Sane to get that much game time to be perfectly honest, the Germany squad is already full of more senior and talented players at the moment but it’s a matter of time before the young boys get a go. He will get some minutes through the competition and I would advise you to watch him when he does. I’m sure he won’t squander his chances when relied upon and will show Europe what potential he does have.