After a short break, fans across Europe and all over the world, are ready to again relish some top-level football action.
Only a few days before the first Euro 2016 kick-off, debates regarding the potential winners and protagonists of the tournament are starting to flare up.
The vast majority of the players that feature in the teams’ first XI have already played more than 45 matches so far this season and seek an extra motive by representing their nations.
Football stars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Paul Pogba have deservedly earned a place in the spotlight of the tournament, but who could set the tournament alight?
We take a look at five European footballers who are likely to put the rest in the shade and become the centre of attention throughout Euro 2016.
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Hakan Calhanoglu (Turkey)
The 22-year-old German-born explosive midfielder has played a decisive role in Leverkusen’s efforts to secure a Champions League spot for next season.
He provided his team mates with five assists and 75 key passes, creating a further 80 chances and scoring three goals in 31 matches this season.
With his late goal against the Czech Republic back in October, Turkey secured an away 0-2 win, bringing the team one step closer to qualifying for the Euro finals.
His creativity and quality at set pieces have already attracted numbers of scouts.
Calhanoglu has all the potential to help Turkey qualify from the group stage and prove that he is ready to take a step forward in his career.
Yannick Ferriera-Carrasco (Belgium)
His late equaliser against Real Madrid in Milan kept Atletico’s dream of lifting the Champions League trophy alive back in May.
Although the final outcome was devastating for Cholo’s team, Carrasco had proven – once again – that he can become a game-changer coming from the bench.
With only four appearances for Belgium, making his debut in March 2015, Carrasco featured in the team’s first XI in only one friendly game against Italy in November.
Although Mark Wilmots’ squad is regarded as one of the Euro 2016 favourites, the team’s frontline has failed to overwhelm throughout this season.
With Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Nacer Chadli struggling to find their form, Carrasco can introduce himself as a much-needed source of energy to rejuvenate the talented Belgian squad.
Alvaro Morata (Spain)
Del Bosque’s decision to exclude players like Diego Costa, Fernando Torres and Juan Mata from Spain’s squad for the Euro of 2016 raised a few eyebrows across the Iberian peninsula. In their absence, Morata seems to be the ‘chosen’ striker to carry the weight of the Spanish attack.
The Spaniard is currently linked with a return to the Bernabeu and the upcoming Euro is a major chance to prove that he deserves a place inside the Galacticos’ frontline.
Furia Roja will depend on the Juventus poacher’s scoring instinct and if he manages to convert the chances created by midfielders like Iniesta, David Silva and Cesc Fabregas into goals, Morata could bring Spain back to their European Champions glory days.
David Alaba (Austria)
“David Alaba is our god. He has already played almost all 10 positions.” Pep Guardiola’s words on David Alaba could have very well been the moto of Marcel Koller, Austria’s manager.
One of the world’s best left-backs, Alaba has produced high-quality performances throughout the season for Bayern, making him Austria’s undisputable main starlet.
With the EPL champion and captain of the national squad, Christian Fuchs, covering the left-back wing, Koller has given Alaba the freedom to create for his team from the midfield.
Being in a group with teams like Portugal, Iceland and Hungary, a runner-up position can bring Austria against the team that captures the second spot of England’s group (Russia, Wales and Slovakia).
The road to the quarter finals does not seem tough and Alaba could become the protagonist of this trip.
Eric Dier (England)
The Three Lions regard themselves as the ultimate favourites. Unbeaten throughout the qualifying stage with 10 wins out of 10 matches, England are seeking their first European Championship silverware.
The consistency between their defensive lines will be crucial for England to achieve their target and Eric Dier can play a pivotal role, ensuring the stability in the midfield.
His performances under Pochettino made him an important part of England’s squad. His late winner against Germany back in March showed that he has was it takes to become a world-class player. At the age of 22, Dier’s potential and quality are essential for England’s Euro aspirations.
He might not be the protagonist of the English fans’ dreams but he is a significant cog in Roy Hodgson’s machine.
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