16 Players To Watch At Euro 2016
By Ty Duffy
Euro 2016 starts June 10th. The expansion from 16 to 24 teams means a wider player pool. Some, from smaller countries, will get to appear on a prime international stage for the first time. Here are 16 players who could make a difference at this tournament.
Paul Pogba [France] Pogba may be soccer’s most talented, all-around midfielder. He will be the latest “world record transfer fee if/when he leaves Juventus. He’s a bit too into dabbing, but we can forgive him. France put in a precocious, promising performance at the 2014 World Cup. To come through in 2016, they’ll need a commanding performance from Pogba, ideally a cross between the “Next Vieira” and the “Next Zidane.”
Cristiano Ronaldo [Portugal] Ronaldo may be the game’s most dynamic force. He has averaged more than a goal per match for Real Madrid. He has won everything, at club level. International play has been tougher, due to teammate quality. Ronaldo made the team of the tournament as an 18-year-old in Portugal’s run to the Euro 2004 finals. He scored three times when Portugal made it to the 2012 semifinals. If he can take over, Portugal has a manageable route to the final.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic [Sweden] Sweden is a one man team. But, he’s quite the man. Zlatan is 34. This is likely his last major tournament. But, coming off perhaps his most prolific season, put nothing past him. Zlatan has a singular combination of power and agility. He scores goals. He scores spectacular goals. He tends to come through when it counts for Sweden.
Harry Kane [England] Kane was not on England’s radar for 2014. Since then, he’s scored 59 goals in all competitions for Tottenham over two seasons. The 22-year-old is a lethal finisher. He can create his own space to get shots off. He should be England’s most dynamic presence up front since a young, healthy Rooney drew Pele comparisons at Euro 2004.
Gareth Bale [Wales] Euro 2016 expanded to 24 teams. Gareth Bale gets to do what Ryan Giggs did not, lead Wales in a major international tournament. Bale has been a mild disappointment at Real Madrid, as he has not been quite as good or as healthy as Cristiano Ronaldo. But, he remains one of the world’s preeminent (and quickest) attacking players. He’s also lethal with his left foot on free kicks.
Robert Lewandowski [Poland] The 27-year-old Lewandowski has inherited Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s mantle as the world’s best classic No. 9 striker, maybe. He has scored 160 goals in all competitions his last five seasons in Germany. That includes five goals in nine minutes against Wolfsburg earlier this season. Lewandowski alone makes Poland a handful.
Mesut Ozil [Germany] Ozil may be the most incisive passer in the final third in international soccer. He’s coming off an excellent season at Arsenal, where he broke the Premier League record for creating scoring chances. Lahm is retired. Schweinsteiger is past his best. Germany needs the next generation to step forward this time around. Expect Ozil to pull the strings, from a number 10 position.
David Silva [Spain] Silva is a smooth, roaming playmaker. He can play the final ball. He can pop up and take a crack at goal himself. Spain’s once solid midfield is in flux without Xavi. There’s no proven scoring option up front. Silva is the sort of player Spain need who can punctuate an equilibrium. The question, as it often is at Manchester City, is whether he’ll be fit.
Luka Modric [Croatia] Modric gets overshadowed at Real Madrid. He won’t for Croatia. He’s an exceptional all-around midfielder. He’s great technically. He’s great tactically. Considering only appearance, he’s the closest thing we’ve seen to Johan Cryuff. While a luxury for his club side, him playing well is imperative for Croatia.
Eden Hazard [Belgium] Hazard is almost unrivaled in terms of talent. The 25-year-old was Player of the Year in England in 2014-15, leading Chelsea to a league title. He then had an abysmal 2015-16, as the Blues floundered. Hazard’s MO has been being a dynamo for his club and dropping the ball for Belgium. Perhaps, this year, that narrative will flip?
Gigi Buffon [Italy] Buffon is 19 years and 156 caps into his Italy career, and still going strong as one of the world’s best goalkeepers. This will mark 10 years since his standout performance at the 2006 World Cup. Sit back. Enjoy the all-time greats while you still can.
David Alaba [Austria] Austria has a golden generation. Alaba, turning 24 in June, is the shiniest. For Bayern, he’s merely the best left back in the world, who can also fill in at center back and anywhere in the midfield. He’s adept going forward. He’s a solid defender. He can be a danger on set pieces. He’s, scarily, still improving. Expect Alaba to play a more central role for the Austrians.
Arda Turan [Turkey] Turan starred for Turkey at Euro 2008, scoring two goals during their semifinal run (suspended for that match). The attacking midfielder has had more seasoning since, spearheading the resurgence at Atletico Madrid and joining Barcelona this season. If the Turks make it out from a tough group, Turan will lead them.
Marek Hamsik [Slovakia] Hamsik is a technically adept, versatile midfielder. He can drive into the opponent’s defense. He can distribute from deep. He will, one hopes, be wearing some variation of his trademark mohawk. Hamsik was Slovakia’s top scorer in qualifying. He will provide the impetus for any success at Euro 2016.
Andriy Yarmolenko [Ukraine] He’s productive, he’s hard-working on the wing, he’s feisty, and he’s Ukraine’s best player. The 26-year-old, playing for Dynamo Kiev, has been a fixture of the summer transfer circuit. A strong Euro 2016 performance could increase the odds he ends up in one of Europe’s top leagues next season.
Xherdan Shaqiri [Switzerland] Shaqiri is the antithesis of his home country. He’s explosive and fun to watch. He’s profoundly inefficient. Powerful and low to the ground, he’s one of the few players who can take over a game and leave everyone spellbound (see his hat trick against Honduras in 2014). That does not mean he will do that. But, the important thing is he can.