Euro '08 is underway and the spotlight shifts to Austria and Switzerland for the next three weeks. A tournament of this magnitude always throws up new talents and this time it's going to be no different as each nation has it's fair share of talented and hungry youngsters. So, while the Big Bosses of world football watch , the young brigade is all set to sizzle before the big bucks begin to drizzle!
The following 6 players are our pick (pre-tournament) to dazzle this summer!
CRISTIANO RONALDO
Age : 23
Nationality : Portuguese
Club : Manchester United
Well, for starters, Cristiano Ronaldo is undoubtedly the planet’s best midfielder today. If Portugal are to have any chance at all of winning this competition, it is essential for Ronaldo to be at his imperious best. He comes into this tournament after a hugely successful season at Manchester United, scoring an incredible 41 goals and setting up many others.
Anointed captain of his country recently, the Portuguese players will be looking up to Ronaldo for some sterling performances to lift and motivate them. Ronaldo’s pace, guile, goal-scoring prowess, and thunderous free-kicks will be useful armaments in the Portuguese arsenal.
Despite the rumours surrounding his future at Man United, you can be sure that this young maestro will be mature enough to concentrate on helping his country lift the Euro ’08 trophy this summer.
KARIM BENZEMA
Age : 20
Nationality : French
Club : Olympique Lyonnais
20-year old Karim Benzema is being touted as the next Zinedine Zidane. In an aging French team with quite a few players well past their sell-by date, Benzema could be the youthful spark that reignites the hopes of the Les Bleus this summer.
Courted by Europe’s finest clubs, it certainly looks like Benzema is heading for stardom in the near future. The Lyon forward is widely tipped to partner Thierry Henry up front for France in Euro 2008, and he could very well turn out to be the star of this summer’s tournament in Austria and Switzerland. The versatile Benzema can play up front or on either wing. However, he has been in lethal form as a striker, scoring 24 goals in 37 games for Lyon last season. Whichever position he plays, though, you can be sure that he’ll send ripples of excitement throughout Austria and Switzerland this summer.
CESC FABREGAS
Age : 21
Nationality : Spanish
Club : Arsenal
At 21 years of age, this Arsenal wonderkid was the PFA Young Player of the year and is currently amongst the best young talents in the world. Shipped to London from Barcelona at the age of 16, Cesc has grown and improved under the watchful eyes of Arsene Wenger. With a brilliant record for the junior Spanish side, (he was voted as Player of the tournament and also emerged top scorer in the FIFA Under- 17 Championship in 2003), Cesc comes into Euro ’08 with a lot of promise.
Yet, a lot of criticism has come his way because a section of the pundits believes that Cesc hasn’t been able to reproduce the same brilliance with the Spanish side as he has with the Gunners.
Nevertheless, we say that this attacking midfielder, blessed with prodigious skill, is here to stay. If Fabregas can recreate his ‘magic’ along with the likes of Alonso, Villa and Torres, Spain will emerge champions. So, here’s hoping Cesc will have a 'FAB'ulous tournament!
LUKA MODRIC
Age : 22
Nationality : Croatian
Club : Tottenham Hotspur
Fresh from his £16.5 million move to Tottenham Hotspur from Dinamo Zagreb, this young Croatian superstar is all set to show the world what he is capable of on the big stage. Highly talked about, Modric is arguably the Barclays’ Premier League’s finest import for next season. Tottenham fans will watch Modric with particular interest, and you can bet they’ll like what they see.
Modric will form the crux of the Croatian attack as they try to live up to their ‘dark horses’ tag in this summer’s European Championships. Modric's vision and passing have earned praise from many observers and he can play on the left side of midfield or as a playmaker behind the forwards. He has been consistent on the international stage, and was instrumental in Croatia’s 3-2 victory over England in the Qualifying round, which shut the door on England’s hopes for Euro 2008.
MIGUEL VELOSO
Age : 22
Nationality : Portuguese
Club : Sporting Lisbon
At 22 years of age, this versatile midfielder who comfortably play at both left and centre back has created quite a stir in footballing circles. Playing for Sporting Lisbon, Veloso has been instrumental in his clubs success. He has, in his as yet short international career impressed pundits with his skill and adaptability. Infact he is on Sir Alex Ferguson’s shopping list for this summer, who is hoping to rope in Veloso to join his Portugese compatriots Ronaldo and Nani at Old Trafford. Besides ManU, Arsenal, Liverpool and AC Milan have also set their sights on him. As a result, Euro ’08 is the key to deciding which way he is headed. With the very best of Europe vying for him,Veloso surely has his work cut out.
FERNANDO TORRES
Age : 24
Nationality : Spanish
Club : Liverpool
Liverpool’s wonder kid and the ‘El Niño’ of Spanish football is our pick to be atop the scorer’s sheet during this installment of Europe’s premier championship.
He comes in after a prolific season for the reds, during which his lethal strike partnership with StevieG struck fear in the heart of every European goalie.
At 24 years of age and with 24 goals in the premiership, this former Athletico Madrid star dons the national jersey brimming with confidence. In a Spanish side that lacks veteran striker, Raul Gonzalez, Torres will have to shoulder much of the responsibility up front. If he continues his prolific goal scoring form, perennial under achievers, Spain could well be Champions of Europe.
Having announced himself in England, we just have to wait and watch if he can ignite the same spark in Austria and Switzerland. Regardless of what happens at Euro ’08, Torres is undoubtedly amongst the best youngsters in the game today.
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