Euro 2016: Which players have proven the unlikely heroes thus far?

The Euro 2016 group-stages have certainly proven a rather captivating affair thus far, even if the hotly anticipated tournament could easily begin to take on a whole new level of excitement once those all-important knock-out rounds finally crop up on the agenda.

 

But whilst the likes of Dimitri Payet, Andres Iniesta, Toni Kroos and Gianluigi Buffon have once again served to impress in predictable style this summer, here are four perhaps lesser known stars who have nonetheless shown a surprising amount of quality upon the European stage so far…

 

 

Julian Baumgartlinger

If it wasn’t for the determined efforts of Julian Baumgartlinger last time out for Austria at Euro 2016, Marcel Koller’s side would have likely caved in against the Portuguese on more than the odd occasion.

 

The soon-to-be Bayer Leverkusen star was absolutely tenacious on the night, proving equally effective with the ball at his feet as he was in the tackle for the resloute Austrians. The 28-year-old defensive midfielder has looked composed and reliable in the middle of the park, and could have even warranted a surprise move to the Premier League if Leverkusen seemingly hadn’t beaten everyone else to his signature.

 

Although his name remains particularly hard to pronounce even at the best of times, Julian Baumgartlinger is one man worthy of keeping an eye on throughout the upcoming 2016/17 domestic campaign. 

 

 

Elseid Hysaj

Whilst his current employers among the Italian top-flight would seemingly want to keep their hands on this impressive Albanian defender at all costs over the summer, Arsenal’s reported interest in Elseid Hysaj could admittedly prove too hard a prospect to readily turn down in the cold light of day.

 

The 22-year-old right back has certainly served his manager rather well this summer however, arguably proving one of the most influential Albanian players to assert their effectiveness among the Euro 2016 group-stages thus far.

 

Yes, we might not see a great deal more from Gianni de Biasi’s determined outfit throughout the latter stages of the competition – but on the back of his smart performances in an Albanian shirt this summer – perhaps young Elseid Hysaj’s role within the European footballing community has only just began to blossom right in the here and now.

 

 

Jonas Hector

After seeing his name linked with several prominent English outfits during the latter half of the 2015/16 domestic campaign, FC Koln’s Jonas Hector is another well-placed defender who could indeed find himself on the move when Euro 2016 is all said and done with this summer.

 

Jurgen Klopp is reportedly keen on bringing the German left-back to Anfield next season as soon as circumstances prove favourable for Liverpool, yet if the Germans do in-fact survive until the latter stages of Euro 2016 itself, perhaps Hector’s signature will not prove easy to prize away from the Bundesliga in the end.

 

As the 26-year-old defender has nonetheless looked rather solid and dependable both in attacking areas of the pitch and within his traditional defensive role for Joachim Low’s formidable outfit this summer, maybe the best is ultimately yet to come from Jonas Hector at Euro 2016

 

 

Emanuele Giaccherini

Sunderland fans may admittedly recall Emanuele Giaccherini as a little more than a light-weight injury-prone front-man who arguably failed to do the business among the often gruelling and strenuous English top-flight, but after turning out a series of impressive performances for the Italians thus far, this is one player to keep a close eye on as a Euro 2016 plays out.

 

The quick-footed 31-year-old has even been touted with a surprise move to Stamford Bridge with Antonio Conte next season, given his fine form in an Italian shirt this summer. Giaccherini seemingly always turns up when international duty calls, especially with his well-taken finish in Italy’s opening bout with the Belgians.

 

He may indeed fail to arrive as the most illustrious of names looking to impress at Euro 2016 this summer, yet because Chelsea clearly need to include a few more hard-working assets among their first team ranks next term, Giaccherini could possibly prove just what to doctor ordered for the Blues in 2016/17.