Euro 2020: The UEFA Euro 2020 in many ways unusual. Not only it will be the biggest tournament during a pandemic, but it will also be held in 11 cities across Europe. While the top teams will want to field their best players on the pitch, it will also be a chance for youngsters to make a mark and also increase their value in the transfer market. Players like Phil Foden, Ferran Torres and Mason Greenwood are already established names but there will be others who could surprise as well.
In Euro 2016, Portugal’s almost star-studded squad led by Cristiano Ronaldo himself had a certain youngster who stole the show. The player, Renato Sanches lit up the competition with his pace, skills and accurate passes to join the attack with Ronaldo and Ricardo Quaresma. While he struggled after moving to Bayern Munich, players like Phil Foden, Moise Ferran Torres and Mason Greenwood have consistently performed and improved their skills. With Euro 2020 set to kick off on June 11, InsideSport takes a look at 5 young talents to watch out for in the competition.
Euro 2020: From Phil Foden to Moise Kean, top 5 new talents to watch out for
Phil Foden (England): England’s rise in world football, especially European football has been down to the clubs’ bench strength. Manchester City’s Phil Foden is one who has impressed coming off the bench on numerous occasions and has even earned a spot in the Starting XI. England’s star in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in India, under Pep Guardiola, Phil Foden has grown over the last four years. In the Premier League this season, in 16 matches, he scored 8 goals and 5 assists. For the senior national team, he has already scored 2 in 6 matches and will be one to watch out for.
Moise Kean (Italy): Despite being under the shadows of two superstars in Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe, Italy’s Moise Kean has found his feet in PSG. In the 2020-21 season, he was one of the breakout stars, scoring 13 goals for PSG in 22 appearances. For Italy, he will be eager to put on a good show and prove his worth for the national team. In 8 matches for Italy, the forward has struck twice.
Pedro Gonçalves (Portugal): With 23 goals and five assists in 32 matches in the Portuguese league, Pedro Gonçalves is currently Portugal’s hottest prospect. It is surprising to see that the 22-year-old has never earned a call-up to the national team until now. But Portugal coach Santos Ferrando’s hopes of defending the Euro 2020 title will be on Pedro Gonçalves’s goal-scoring abilities in a tough group that consists of France and Germany as well.
Ferran Torres (Spain): Another Manchester City youngster, Ferran Torres has given coach Luis Enrique hopes of re-developing the famed midfield that once Spain had. Ferran Torres has the ability to pass the ball around, control the tempo and unleash his attacking prowess like Cesc Fabregas was in his prime. In 23 matches this season, Ferran Torres has scored 7 times and for Spain, he has already struck six times in 10 games.
Mason Greenwood (England): One of the most exciting youngsters to watch in the Premier League, Mason Greenwood is one of the future stars of England, if he is already not. It takes a lot to impress Sir Alex Fergusen and he at 19 has already done that. The Manchester United forward has praised from all over the world and will be one to watch out for in the Euro 2020. In the Premier League, Mason Greenwood scored 7 in 31 appearances and will be eager to prove his mettle.