Top 15 Best Young Football Players at the Euro Championships - The Rising Stars
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| Top 15 Best Young Football Players at the Euro Championships |
Let’s look at the best young players to watch out at the Euro 2020. The top 15 best young player in every squad at Euro Championships June and July 2021.
1. Mason Mount (England)
We kick-start our list of the best young players to watch out for at the Euro 2020 with the Chelsea midfielder.
Mason Mount is just 22 years old and has already achieved stardom with Chelsea. The Englishman was Chelsea's best player in the 2020/21 season and a consistent performer under both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea.
Mason Mount is a complete team player who works tirelessly for his teammates. The midfielder was in limelight In the UCL final against Man City. His through ball assist to Kai Havertz's goal was simply sublime.
With his excellent performance for Chelsea, Gareth Southgate made an accurate decision for including him into the England squad for the Euro 2020. Mount's versatility will help in England’s midfield. Mason Mount has made 16 appearances for the Three Lions, scoring four goals.
Read More: Who Is Mason Mount: Biography, Personal Life, Girlfriend, Football Career and Net Worth
2. Kai Havertz (Germany)
Kai Havertz has been Chelsea’s most expensive player. After signing, he was lambasted by the fans and was termed as a “flop signing” for the Blues.
However, Tuchel’s arrival transformed him into a remarkable player. The former Bayern 04 Leverkusen player has earned a lot of respect from fans and his solitary goal in the UCL fired the Blues to glory in Porto.
Germany has been mundane in matches, and are in dire need of a forward and Kai Havertz can fulfill that position. He has played 12 games for the Die Mannschaft and his chemistry with Timo Werner for the German national team will be exhilarating to watch.
Read More: Who Is Kai Havertz: Biography, Family, Personal Life, Net Worth and Football Career
3. Jadon Sancho (England)
On third position of our list of best young players to watch out for at Euro 2020 is someone you will have read about a lot in the transfer gossip section of tabloid newspapers.
At just a young age, Jadon Sancho has established himself as one of the most admirable players in club football and at the international level. His talent has caught the eye of some of the top clubs in Europe including Manchester United, who are looking to lure him from Dortmund this summer.
He’s been phenomenal with Borussia Dortmund firing 16 goals and making 20 assists in the 2020/21 season. However, he had a slow start with the three lions registering three goals and five assists in 18 games so far, but this time he will be a force to be reckoned in Euro 2020.
Read More: Who Is Jadon Sancho: Biography, Personal Life, Girlfriend, Football Career and Net Worth
4. Ryan Gravenberch (Netherlands)
Ajax has produced some of the best youngsters over the time, the likes of Frenkie de Jong, Matthijs de Ligt, Donny van de Beek and now Ryan Gravenberch, another great midfielder, who is destined to achieve stardom.
This immensely versatile player is all set to make his mark for the Netherlands national team in the coming Euros, even though having made only four appearances until now.
It’s justified that the likes of Frenkie De Jong, Gini Wijnaldum and Dony Van De Beek will be the top priorities for the squad, but who knows when the youngster might come as a substitute and produce a match-winning performance.
Hence, Gravenberch deserves a mention on our list of young players to watch out for at Euro 2020.
5. Pedri Gonzalez (Spain)
Pedri’s transition has been magnificent at FC Barcelona. His performance on the pitch impressed Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman and since then he has become an important part of the club.
His intriguing talent galvanized Spain coach, Luis Enrique, which led to the 18-year-old being called up to the Spanish Squad for Euro 2020.
The 18-year-old has been compared to Barcelona legend, Andres Iniesta for having a similar style of play and passing ability.
La Roja is blessed with Pedri’s talent and he will be a key in Spain's midfield. In three games he has made only one assist and he would like to increase the tally in Euro 2020. Pedri certainly will be one of the best young players to watch out for at the Euro 2020.
6. Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy)
At just a young age Gianluigi Donnarumma has become an intriguing player for the Italian national team and the club. He is being called Buffon’s successor, racking up 251 appearances for AC Milan.
Donnarumma's agility will keep the opponents at bay and Italy will be in safe hands with him between the sticks. His displays have been key to the country’s recent success and so far he has made 25 appearances and kept 14 clean sheets.
In WC qualifiers Italy managed to concede only four goals, second only to Belgium in terms of defensive record. Hence, Donnarumma deserves a place on our list of best young players to watch out for at the Euro 2020.
7. Jeremy Doku (Belgium)
On the seventh position is the Stade Rennais youngster Jeremy Doku who has been included in Roberto Martinez’s 26-man Belgium squad.
His explosive pace and excellent balance on the ball is what made Roberto Martinez choose him for the upcoming Euro 2020.
Jeremy Doku is one of the most exciting young players to watch out for at Euro 2020. Doku takes on defenders for fun. The 19-year-old is the only Belgium player currently averaging more than 3.6 successful dribbles per game.
With him playing alongside Eden Hazard would create havoc for the opposition full-backs. Jeremy Doku has capped in seven games notching two goals and two assists.
Read More: Who Is Jeremy Doku: Biography, Personal Life, Football Career and Net Worth
8. Dejan Kulusevki (Sweden)
Another young rising star in Sweden’s squad, Kulusevski was one of the key players for Juventus. The 21-year-old winger scored and assisted in Copa Italia, helping Juventus clinch their only trophy of 2020-21 campaign.
Having been called Zlatan’s predecessor on the international level, Kulusevski is already off the mark for the national team with a great vision and magnetic close control.
Kulusevski has the ability to play in multiple roles in the midfield or attack, and his versatility has sparked a great impression on Janne Andersson.
The 21-year-old has played 12 games and scored one goal for his national side. Kulusevski would be one of the most exciting young players to watch out for at the Euro 2020.
9. Federico Chiesa (Italy)
On number nine position of best young players to watch out at the Euro 2020 list is Italy's Federico Chiesa. Chiesa was a loan signing for Juventus and had an instant impact for the Old Lady.
He was a force to be reckoned at the club- a prolific player proven to be an inspirational signing for them, bagging seven goals and eight assists for the Old Lady.
He will be a key player for Robert Mancini in Euro 2020, and he will dovetail alongside Andrea Belotti, Ciro Immobile and Insigne in the forward line for the Italians.
Chiesa's game reading, attacking intelligence, movement and ability to exploit opponents' defence could prove to be devastating for his adversaries. Federico Chiesa has 24 international caps so far, scoring one goal and assisting five.
10. Merih Demiral (Turkey)
We wrap up our list of best young players to watch out at Euro 2020 with Juventus defender, Merih Demiral. At just 23 years, Demiral has been the driving force behind Turkey's qualification in Euro 2020. His aggressiveness is one of the key attributes of his game.
Demiral's tactical intelligence, composure, and determination makes him different from other players. His presence on the field will make Turkey defensively strong.
The Juventus defender has played 21 international matches so far and his presence will be of paramount importance for Turkey in Euro 2020.
11. Ansu Fati (Spain)
(Image credit: PA Images) Age 18 Position Forward
Spanish football ruled the 2010s, but that dynasty has crumbled. Out of the rubble, Fati is carrying not just Barcelona’s future hopes, but his country’s, too. Born in Guinea-Bissau and raised in Seville, Fati grew up in the shade of tiki-taka, joining La Masia aged 10, and he went on to break a 95-year record to become Spain’s youngest-ever goalscorer, aged 17 years and 311 days.
He’s a left-sided forward, a stunning technician and electric on the break, capable of bypassing defenders as if they’re training cones. The teenager is already a beacon for two teams in transition, which is why La Roja are especially keen that he can recover from a problematic knee injury in time to make Luis Enrique’s final squad.
12. Phil Foden (England)
(Image credit: PA Images) Age 20 Position Forward
Foden entered the international stage with a bang in November last year. Making his first England start, he put two goals past Iceland to seal an assured performance that typified his glittering coming-of-age campaign with Manchester City.
‘The Stockport Iniesta’, who will turn 21 just before Euro 2020 begins, has quickly evolved into a chameleonic attacker who drifts through defences like smoke. With goals against Chelsea and Liverpool this season, Foden – an Under-17 world champion and Golden Ball winner back in 2017 – has demonstrated the devastating movement and boundless confidence that, for years, England have sorely lacked. Imagine what the Golden Generation would have done to have such a left-footed schemer in their arsenal.
Read More: Who Is Phil Foden: Biography, Family, Personal Profile, Football Career and Net Worth
13. Moise Kean (Italy)
(Image credit: PA) Age 21 Position Forward
When he scored a pounding header in PSG’s Champions League thrashing of Barcelona in February, Kean’s redemptive arc was complete. He has suffered doubters and discrimination in his young career, but the striker – in the French capital on loan from Everton – is back to his brilliant best, making him one of the most dangerous frontmen in Europe.
PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino has helped to revive the Italian into a fierce, hard runner who can operate anywhere across an attack, and that versatility is highly valued by Azzurri manager Roberto Mancini. Kean is leggy, powerful and deft with his control, and seeing him fly full of confidence – as only scoring 11 goals in your first 19 league appearances for a club can give you – has been a joy in recent months.
14. Sandro Tonali (Italy)
(Image credit: PA Images) Age 20 Position Midfielder
So talented is Tonali, the technically gifted midfielder first received a call-up to the senior Italy squad in November 2018. With his Brescia beginnings, floppy hair and penchant for raking passes, it’s easy to see him as this generation’s Andrea Pirlo, but Tonali, who turns 21 at the start of May, has enough in his locker to refute accusations of being a mere tribute act.
A member of AC Milan’s title-challengers this campaign, he gives the Azzurri midfield bite and isn’t afraid to drive forward and affect play. Coronavirus has interrupted his path into the national side, but in a fresh crop of precocious young midfielders – including Gaetano Castrovilli, Manuel Locatelli and Nicolo Zaniolo – the Adam Driver lookalike and Football Manager favourite could be the most exciting of the lot.
Read More: Who is Sandro Tonali, World's Up-and-coming Footballers
15. Elif Elmas (North Macedonia)
Age 21 Position Midfielder
When North Macedonia famously defeated Germany in March, it was Elmas who netted the late winner. Born in Skopje to a family of Turkish descent, the midfielder was snapped up by Fenerbahce as a 17-year-old, and was even courted by Turkey’s national team. In 2017 Elmas’s profile was raised even further when he travelled to the Under-21 European Championships in Poland.
But Elmas made his North Macedonia debut that year – since then, his emergence has coincided with his country’s shock progress to a first ever major tournament. Aged 17, Elmas was the youngest player by far in Macedonia’s squad that travelled to the Under-21 tournament in Poland and he played in all three matches as they lost to Spain and Portugal and drew 2-2 with Serbia.
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| The 21-year-old Napoli midfielder is an integral part of the North Macedonia |
Before he even left for Poland, Elmas was approached by Turkey’s head coach, Fatih Terim, who asked the young player to declare for that country instead. Elmas turned down Terim’s offer and that decision seemed to be justified soon after the Under-21 tournament when Angelovski called him up to the senior squad for a World Cup qualifier against Spain in Skopje.
Following Elmas’s displays in Poland, clubs of the calibre of Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Fenerbahçe had entered the race to sign him.
In 2019, he joined Napoli in a deal worth up to €19m, and has already racked up more than 50 Serie A appearances. Napoli paid a fee of €16m to Fenerbahce, agreeing an annual salary of €1.3m with Elmas.
Offers from Napoli, Tottenham and Manchester City remained on the table with Elmas and his family again having a choice to make.
At the end of March, Elmas scored the most important goal in his career. Macedonia traveled to Germany for a World Cup qualifer, sensationally winning 2-1 in Duisburg for one of the biggest upsets in the history of the German football – perhaps in the history of international football. Elmas was the hero for Macedonia, scoring the winner in the 84th minute.
Perhaps the 21-year-old Elmas is a long way from reaching the heights of Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. But this summer he will have the perfect stage to demonstrate his quality against the elite of European football, with Macedonia pitted against the Netherlands, Ukraine and Austria in Group C.
