It is just matter of hours before the European Championship 2020 gets underway and after so much preparation, many players are ready to hit ground running in tournament, while a few others have unfortunately been withdrawn due to injury and the likes.
This year’s edition affords us so many exciting young talents, hence we take a look at the top 30 players under the age of 23, who will be looking to make a name for themselves in the 16th edition of the Championship.
31. Orkun Kocku, Turkey.
At 20, the Midfielder is already a regular member of the Feyenoord first team and has played over 40 league game across the last two seasons already. Hence, European top clubs have been alerted of his brilliance, and they will get to see more of him on a bigger stage in the European Championship.
30. Ryan Gravenberch, The Netherlands.
In his first season at senior level, Gravenberch was one of the stars of the Eredivisie as Ajax were crowned Champions in the Dutch league last season. Making over 30 league appearances in the middle of the park as Ajax bossed their way to the title, his contributions were vital.
He will now be representing his country in a major tournament. The injury to Donny van DeBeek means the 19 year old’s chance of impressing got a boost.
29. Kacper Kozlowski, Poland.
The youngest player in the competition, 17-year old Pogon Szczecin Attacking Midfielder deservedly takes his place on our list. Having overcome a tough chapter that threatened his career, he is now being monitored by top teams. Watchout for him this summer when you go see Robert Lewandowski.
28. Eric Garcia, Spain.
Returning to his boyhood club earlier this summer with a reputation of being a benched player at Manchester City, 20-year old Eric Garcia have the chance to play his way into the Barcelona starting eleven at the Euros, especially in the absence of the likes of Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique.
27. Onni Valakari, Finland.
21-year old midfielder plays for Pafos FC in the Cyprus first division, where he registered 12 goals and four assists in 25 league games last season. Unknown to many, the European Championship brings Onni Valakari to the viewing, watch out.
26. Neco Williams, Wales.
Since his promotion to the first team, the 20 year old has struggled for first team football at Liverpool due to the form of Trent Alexander Arnold. Being a regular in the Wales first team, Neco Williams gets great opportunity to get games and show what he has to seal first team football, if not at Liverpool, then elsewhere.
25. Mykola Shaparenko, Ukraine.
Featured in the UEFA Champions League for his club, Dynamo Kiev and 22-year old Shaparenko is not strange to the hears. Ukraine find themselves in a group where they will believe they have a chance, and the Dynamo Kiev Midfielder will not be far away from the plans of Andrily Shevchenko.
24. Christoph Baumgartner, Austria.
The Attacking Midfielder was active for TSG Hoffenheim last season. He will be pulling the strings for his nation this summer as Austria look to build a reputation for themselves in this competition.
23. Nuno Mendes.
18-year old leftback Nuno Mendes was a part of Sporting CP team that ended their league trophy drought in the past season. He defensive prowess has seen him caught the eye of top team and this summer, he gets a chance to represent his nation as a reward.
22. Donyell Malen, The Netherlands.
The 22-year old striker registered 19 goals and eight assists in just 26 starts in the Eredivisie last season and already got a chance to star for his country at the Euros.
Signed from Arsenal for just €600k, Malen will already be making his former club regret letting him go on a permanent, and now he gets the avenue to buy himself a return to top-flight league.
21. Eljif Elmas, North Macedonia.
A good percentage of North Macedonia’s hopes in their first ever appearance at the European Championship will be down to the abilities of Elmas. Although they still have Goran Pandev, he would not be able to do the troubles a young Elmas would.
A lot of the 21-year old Napoli Midfield will be seen, watch out for him.
20. Dejan Kulusevski, Sweden.
The 21-year old had a quiet season with Juventus but Sweden will be hopeful he shows up his bright side when he represents them at the Euros.
19. Billy Gilmour.
The Chelsea Midfielder has never get a run of games and with the standard the club is setting, his time may not come soon. He will get his chance to impress and maybe go on loan before he will be ripe enough for the UEFA Champions League winners. Watch our for the 19-year old.
18. Alessandro Bastoni, Italy.
Having helped Inter Milan to the Scudetto last season, 22-year old Alessandro Bastoni makes Italy’s team for the Euros. He might be unlikely to feature much due to the presence of veteran defenders in the squad but remember the name Alessandro Bastoni, the future of Italy defence. And when called up on this summer, he is bound to give his all.
17. Pedri Gonzalez, Spain.
A lot of Pedri was seen for Barcelona last season but while the club underperformed, there are bound to be changes in the next season as the club will look to address several positions with new recruits. Hence, the European Championship is an avenue for the 18-year old to show he is not just a pushover, but deserved the chances he got.
16. Jeremy Doku, Belgium.
The winger is the most exciting Belgian teenager at the moment and has been gifted the opportunity to represent The Red Devil’s at a major tournament, after his impressive performances with Rennes in Ligue un last season. Watchout for the 19-year old on the flanks.
15. Ferran Torres, Spain.
His best moments in his debut season with Manchester City came towards the ending of last season and Spain will be hopeful 21-year old Ferran Torres can carry this rich vein of form to the European Championship.
14. Jamal Musiala, Germany.
The 18-year old Bayern Munich midfield will be grateful he choose Germany over England having been named in The DieMannschaft Euro squad. Musiala has recorded great success with Bayern, and will be looking to add more on the international stage, even though he is expected to be less involved.
13. Jude Bellingham, England.
17-year old is voted the best new comer in the just concluded BundesLiga season and has been trusted by Gareth Southgate for the Euros.
He is already being talked about and eyes will be on him at the Euros.
12. Bukayo Saka, England.
Not many would have thought he will be heading to the Euros with the Three Lions, but the 19-year old Arsenal player of the season is worth his selection. Also got his first international goal in a warm up friendly game against Austria.
He might not get so much game time due to the plentiful of talents in the England squad but he could be as good as anyone when called upon, whilst he can also play in different positions.
11. Matthijs de Ligt, The Netherlands.
Players tend to be viewed to be much older than their actual age when they are in the spotlight in the early stage of their career. 21-year old de Light falls in this category.
He is already an established international and in the absence of Virgil van Dijk, eyes will be on the Juventus defender to deliver and see in country excel in this competition.
10. Jules Kounde, France.
Heading to his first major senior tournament with his country, on the back of another impressive campaign with Sevilla, which saw him earn a place in the LaLiga team of the season, Kounde is a star to watch this summer’s competition.
He is already a target for Europe elites and some really great tests await him in the competition, where France play Germany and Portugal in group F.
9. Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy.
Apart from being named in the Serie A Team of The Year, the 22-year old Goalkeeper is yet to concede in his last six games in all competition, while Italy are also yet to concede in eight games. In a group comprising of Switzerland, Wales and Turkey, Donnarumma have a good chance of making his mark at the Euros.
While he remains a free agent with PSG believed to be interested in a deal, he could get to show them they need to get the deal done in time, before others come in with more lucrative offers.
8. Declan Rice, England.
Linked with move to the top teams in England, Declan Rice look to have convinced Southgate for a starting role for the Three Lions, and West Ham will also be watching proceedings of how high will his stock get, should he push for a move away from the London Stadium after the Euros.
7. Alexander Isak, Sweden.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic unable to make it to the tournament due to injury, Alexander Isak will get his deserved game time.
Scored 17 goals last season in the LaLiga in 30 starts, many clubs will be on the lookout for the 21-year old Real Sociedad striker, who has never been really far away to rumours of move away from the Anoeta.
6. Pedro Gonçalves, Portugal.
Led Sporting CP to their first league title in 19 years, 22-year old Midfielder, Pedro Gonçalves scored 23 times in 32 league games, monstrous numbers which sees him on the radar of top teams in Europe.
It will be tough to see him play but watchout whenever he is called upon.
5. Kai Havertz, Germany.
While he has made a good reputation for himself before moving to England last summer, 21-year old Kai Havertz struggled in the Premier League although Chelsea’s surge late in the season, which saw them won the Champions League and Havertz scoring in the final seemed to have things working again.
Havertz will have a chance to show he is back to getting it right at this summer’s tournament.
4. Mason Mount, England.
Mason Mount has won the hearts of his doubters and even won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea. Being a favourite of Gareth Southgate, more of the 22-year old will be seen this summer, and the England boss will hope he can replicate his form for Chelsea with the Three Lions.
3. Phil Foden, England.
Yet another one of the many brilliant players on the books of England. On the back of an outrageous campaign with Manchester City, which saw him win the Premier League and the Carabao Cup but ended on a disappointing note, after losing in the Champions League final to Chelsea. Notwithstanding, 21-year old current PFA Young Footballer of the year will be hoping to put that behind him, and fire England to Euro glory.
2. Jadon Sancho, England.
Sancho 21, is one of the many exciting young ballers in the Three Lions team and one of the best U23 players in the world currently. He is thriving in the BundesLiga with Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United are restless to get him playing at the theater of dreams next season.
This tournament will see him come out in the colours of England and make a name for himself at the international level.
1. Kylian Mbappe, France.
Kylian Mbappe is living the dream of many great footballers even at the later stages of their careers. At 22, the only trophies to have eluded him whilst he has participated is the UEFA Champions League, which he has played in it’s final but was on the losing end.
Coming into his first European Championship, he will be hungry to set another standard, by winning a third Euro title for his country. Himself and the rest of Les Blues team will be looking to build on their success in the last World Cup finals three years ago.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan.
