Who are the potential break-out stars at the Euros?
Introduction
Every major football tournament produces players who, relatively unknown before it started, burst into the wider public consciousness. That does not include players who appear with any regularity in one of the top five European leagues because they will already be familiar to that domestic league's fans, even if they have yet to make their mark in European competition.
Instead, these are players who feature for countries that are not among the tournament favorites but whose performances could yet see them earn big money moves later this summer. However, a word of warning to those clubs that will have scouts and analysts watching every game.
In the past, players like Karel Poborsky and John Jensen have all earned big money moves to English clubs following their performances at the Euros, but rarely did enough to justify their price tags.
A few glittering performances in a summer tournament do not always indicate that they will have the talent, determination, and durability to play and flourish at a higher domestic level.
Here are some hoping for a happier outcome.
Georgiy Sudakov – Ukraine
Despite having to play all their home matches at neutral venues because of the armed conflict in the country, Ukraine made it through to the Euros via the play-offs. One reason for that success is midfielder Georgiy Sudakov, the latest of the Shakhtar Donetsk talent production line.
He is a number ten in the classic mode, with growing calmness on the ball and the ability to find the right talent. There is already talk of a big move for him this summer, with Chelsea among the clubs interested, not least because they are hoping that recruiting Sudakov can help unleash the talent at last of another expensive signing, Sudakov's international teammate Mykhailo Mudryk.
Shakhtar has a reputation for driving a hard bargain, and they have already decided to protect the value of their investment by inserting a ₤135 million release clause in his contract.
Georges Mikautadze – Georgia
As far as Georgia is concerned, the decision to allow smaller nations to get their chance to qualify for the Euros via the Nations League pathway could not have been better timed, as it means they are featuring in a major international tournament for the first time, after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win in their play-off final against Greece.
It also gives 23-year-old striker Georges Mikautadze another chance to prove that he can play at a higher level.
Playing for Metz in the French second division, his 23 goals not only helped them win promotion but also earned him a move to Ajax. However, after nine games and no goals, they sold him back to Metz at a loss, and he immediately rediscovered his goalscoring form, netting ten in ten games as they managed to avoid relegation.
With ten goals in 25 international games, he will be one of Georgia's main goalscoring threats in Germany.
Kristjan Asllani – Albania
Albania is appearing at just its second major tournament, but it surprised many by topping a group that also included the Czech Republic and Poland. Unfortunately, it was drawn in arguably the toughest group, with Spain, Croatia, and the defending champions Italy also in it.
Nevertheless, they still need talent, especially in midfield, where Kristjan Asllani's creativity and vision are crucial to the team's success.
He plays for Inter Milan in Italy, although most of his appearances for them have come off the bench. His willingness to try to dribble his way out of tight situations sometimes backfires. However, his range of passing has been compared to Andrea Pirlo, which is high praise indeed, and he showed glimpses of what he can do in their opening defeat to Italy.
João Neves -Portugal
Portugal was the only team to have a 100% record in European qualifying and is regarded as one of the favorites in Germany, not least because its bench is as good as its starting XI in almost every position.
João Neves plays for Benfica and is widely tipped to move to a different level.
The deep-lying midfielder was named in the Portuguese team of the season and is already attracting interest from Premier League clubs like Manchester United and Arsenal, who do not seem deterred by a release clause in his contract of more than ₤100 million.
Meanwhile, Benfica has been thwarted in its efforts to tie him down to a new deal, so it may regard this summer as the best time to cash in on the young player.
Despite being relatively short, Neves is good in the air and has acquired a reputation as a shrewd game reader.
Roberto Martínez, the Portugal manager, is spoiled for choice, but Neves will likely get his share of minutes, and he will know that he is the shop window.
Martin Baturina – Croatia
For more than a decade, Croatia has consistently punched above its weight in major tournaments. Still, the Golden Generation led by Luka Modrić and Ivan Perišić are all aging, and this is probably their last hurrah at this level, and it is time for younger talent to emerge.
One such player is Martin Baturina, a midfielder with Dynamo Zagreb.
He is a box-to-box midfielder who allies his defensive responsibilities. He has excellent dribbling skills, fine passing ability, and the vision to find teammates on the field.
Baturina was not used in their opening defeat against Spain, but he may now get his chance as Croatia looks to mix things up in their next matches.
Johan Bakayoko – Belgium
Belgium is another country that is having to cope with the end of a Golden Generation, and manager Domenico Todesco has already begun to evolve his side by bringing in younger talent.
Johan Bakayoko, who plays in the Eredivisie for PSV Eindhoven, could be about to make his name on a wider stage after a season that saw the right-winger score 14 goals and provide 14 assists in all competitions.
With Jeremy Doku of Manchester City operating on the opposite flank, Belgium expects the pair to provide plenty of ammunition to Romelu Lukaku up top.
There have been suggestions that Arne Slot, Liverpool's new manager, has told the club that Bakayoko is a player he is interested in bringing to Anfield next season.
Martin Vitík – Czech Republic
Central defender Martin Vitík was only called up by the Czech Republic for the first time eight months ago, and the 21-year-old is likely to start the tournament on the bench. However, he has all the attributes of a modern center-half in that he is tall and quick and very good at making recovery runs.
He is also calm on the ball and can play it out from the back or move into midfield.
A good tournament in Germany and his club side, Slavia Prague, may be unable to turn down any offers for him.
Uğurcan Çakır– Turkey
Uğurcan Çakırhas spent his entire career playing in the Turkish Super Lig with Trabzonspor. Yet, at 28, he is still relatively young as far as goalkeepers are concerned, and any aspirations he has of playing in one of the top five European leagues are still attainable.
Indeed, he is regarded as a more than capable goalkeeper, both a good shot-stopper and one comfortable with the ball at his feet.
