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| Young Dutch striker Luuk de Jong is one that will impress this summer, having netted 32 goals last season |
The European Championships are almost upon us. The best
players across the continent are set to show off their capabilities to the
watching world and, with numerous performers, the chance to impress potential
suitors is likely to be higher than ever before. With the tournament in Poland and Ukraine comes
the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robin Van Persie and more
to really prove why they should be considered the world’s greatest.
Yet, there are those that haven’t been hyped up to the
standard of the aforementioned trio and numerous others. Those that will see
the competition as the opportunity of a lifetime to take over the reins for the
future and are set to take the game by storm. Below, are the five players that,
given the chance, will light up Euro 2012.
Yevhen Konoplyanka
(Ukraine)
Starting off with one of the two host nations, the Ukraine
youngster is tipped to impress this summer. Attracting interest from numerous
Premier League teams, including Arsenal and Liverpool, Konoplyanka looks set to
be one of the young stars of the tournament. At just 22-years-old, the winger
already has 18 international caps to his name, with an impressive return of
five goals, averaging one ever 3.6 games.
The type of player that will create something out of
nothing, his footballing capabilities have seen him drawn comparisons to Lionel
Messi. Currently dubbed Ukrainian football’s great new hope, given the time and
space, Konoplyanka is one that can cause damage down either side of the pitch.
Currently plying his trade with Ukrainian outfit FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk,
should he enjoy a prolific tournament, the Dnepryani,
currently managed by former Tottenham Hotspur coach Juande Ramos, will struggle
to keep hold of their prodigious wideman.
A player that would take particular interest to England
fans, having been placed in Group D with the joint-hosts, the youngster is
certainly one to keep an eye on. With the ability to cause serious damage on
the flanks, Glen Johnson and Ashley Cole, should they start against the Eastern
European side, will need to be on top of their respective games in order to
keep the winger quiet.
Luuk de Jong
(Holland)
Following the likes of Arsenal front-man Robin Van Persie
and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar of FC Schalke 04, Luuk de Jong is another Dutch striker
to have had a prolific domestic season. The trio amassed an astonishing 117
goals between them, with the young FC Twente striker the lowest scoring of the
three with 32.
Despite amassing an impressive total domestically, the
21-year-old is unlikely to start for Holland this summer. Head coach Bert van
Marwijk tends to favour a 4-3-3 formation, and with Huntelaar’s impressive 48
goals this season, the powerful Schalke man is likely to spearhead the attack
with Arjen Robben and one of either Van Persie or Dirk Kuyt in support.
However, that doesn’t mean de Jong won’t be called upon if
needed. The player himself may only have seven international caps to his name,
and one goal to match coming in the 2-0 win over Finland last September, but it
doesn’t mean he hasn’t got the ability to cause havoc from the bench. At 6ft 2,
he has the aerial threat about him to cause damage during the competition,
especially late on when defences are tiring.
Should Holland have qualified by the last game, unlikely
considering their group opponents, then fans can expect to see de Jong
undertake the role that Huntelaar will surely fill when the Dutch kick off
their campaign against Denmark on Saturday. Not a player to be taken lightly,
despite his frail physique, the striker, given the chance, will look to make an
impact during his time in Polkraine.
Christian Eriksen
(Denmark)
The young Dane isn’t adverse to the pressure of a wider
audience having already been linked with a move to one of Europe’s heavyweights
in recent months. Another impressive campaign with Ajax has seen Christian
Eriksen mooted as one of the stars of Euro 2012 and the expectations to succeed
this summer are huge.
After being widely tipped to leave the Eredivisie champions
last summer, the 20-year-old opted to remain in Holland with Ajax reaping the
rewards of his loyalty, with Eriksen ending the season with eight goals and 21
assists in all competitions. The impressive return has only raised interest in
his signature, with many vying to secure a deal prior to Fridays kick off.
Much similar in style
to Konoplyanka, the potential for Eriksen to emerge as one of the star
performers of the tournament is massive. Comfortable on the wing or just behind
the strikers, it is the form and star factor of soon-to-be-Chelsea-winger Eden
Hazard that has seen the young Dane, seemingly, slip under the radar as one of
Europe’s emerging talents.
A big money move certainly beckons for the Ajax ace, be it
before or after the tournament. However, if Eriksen lives up to the hype this
summer in Polkraine, the Dutch side will be able to dictate the market and, in
effective, auction off the youngster, should they decide to sell. One major
factor could be whether they are willing to, possibly, lose captain Jan
Vertonghen and the winger in the summer transfer window. Nevertheless, the
much-talked-about midfielder is certainly one to keep an eye on this summer.
Marvin Martin
(France)
Somewhat of a late bloomer to the international scene, being
the oldest of the five players on the list at 24-years-old, Marvin Martin is a
player that has, arguably, snuck under the radar into this list. Having only
made his debut a little over 12 months ago, in the 4-1 win over Ukraine as a
second half substitute where he netted twice and assisted for Younes Kaboul to
net on his debut, Martin could be one of the surprise packages at the European
Championships.
Having arrived at current club Sochaux in 2002, the young
midfielder came through the ranks of the Ligue 1 club before making his debut
in 2008. Now a fully fledged starter for the club based in Eastern France, the
Frenchman is often called upon to break down even the most stubborn of
opposition with his excellent vision and pin-point passing accuracy.
Often compared to Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Modric, due to
his slight frame and lack of height, Marvin is, technically, very good on the
ball and, given the time and space to pick his place, will often ensure the
opposition is put to sword should he be given the chance. However, despite his
impressive showings for Les Lionceaux,
the diminutive schemer is unlikely to command a starting place in the France
squad this summer, with Samir Nasri, Alou Diarra and, when fit, Yann M’Vila
preferred by head coach Laurent Blanc.
Yet, should he be given the chance, Martin will be looking
to take full advantage of the occasion and showcase his capabilities to the
football fans viewing the tournament this month.
Alex
Oxlade-Chamberlain (England)
Much like Theo Walcott at the World Cup in 2006, Arsenal
team-mate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be perceived as the shock call-up by
new manager Roy Hodgson. With the former West Bromwich Albion boss causing a
stir by not including Michael Carrick and Micah Richards in his travelling
23-man squad, the young Gunners startlet looks to have secured his place on the
plane without so much as a whimper from the media.
With just two England caps to his name, the winger is the
youngest player on the list at just 18-years-old and perhaps the player with
the least expectation riding upon his shoulders. Arrived at the Emirates
Stadium last summer in a deal that could rise to £15m, Oxlade-Chamberlain had
spent just the solitary in the Southampton senior squad before Arsene Wenger
opted to move for the youngster.
And despite often being overlooked by the Frenchman, the
England man has looked a constant threat when called-upon by Wenger, especially
in the latter half of the season. Ended the season with just four goals and
three assists in 26 games, a majority of which came from the bench, he still
earned many of the plaudits due to an impressive run of form, especially in
Europe.
Unlikely to start under Hodgson, the winger’s explosive pace
and frightening ability to run at his man with speed and reason will see the Ox
become a key member of the England team in Polkraine, especially from the
bench. The England coach needs to ensure his time at the Euro’s isn’t wasted,
much like Walcott’s in Germany six years ago, and should the need arise, be
confident that the 18-year-old can the player to change any game in the blink
of an eye.
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