Summer tournaments can be places for young stars of the future to announce their arrival, and the young generation of players at Euro 2016 could be set to continue that tradition.
The likes of Wayne Rooney, Arjen Robben and Michael Owen have previously made their mark in Europe by starring in competitions of the past, with a number of this year’s crop hoping to make a similar impact.
UEFA have analysed the selection of players under the age of 21, and have come up with the “Young Guns XI” – a starting eleven made up of the best and brightest.
Encouragingly for the Premier League, four of its young prospects make the cut, with Tottenham’s Dele Alli, Héctor Bellerín of Arsenal and the Manchester United pair of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in the lineup.
Uefa’s “Young Guns XI” for the Euros. How many of these guys will play a lot for their teams? pic.twitter.com/bPI6jRg27N
— Onefootball (@Onefootball) June 8, 2016
While all have starred for their clubs this season, Alli and Martial were the only two guaranteed their place in their respective squads, with Rashford and Bellerín named as late inclusions. Nonetheless, they are primed to make a big impact in France.
The Bundesliga is the best represented league in the list with six of those listed either plying their trade in Germany now or on the way ahead of next season. Bayern’s Joshua Kimmich and Kinglsey Coman will be joined next year by young Portuguese star Renato Sanches, while Emre Mor has agreed to join Dortmund.
Schalke’s Leroy Sané, linked with a move to the Premier League, and Nico Elvedi of Borussia Mönchengladbach also make the cut.
Rounding out the list is Sevilla goalkeeper Sergio Rico. The 22 year old made his senior debut for Spain only last week, and while he is unlikely to feature in France with David de Gea and Iker Casillas ahead of him, he is being earmarked as a potential star of the future.
Read More About: anthony martial, Arsenal, Bayern, Bundesliga, dele alli, dortmund, emre mor, Euro 2016, Gladbach, Hector Bellerin, joshua kimmich, kingsley coman, La Liga, leroy sane, Man United, marcus rashford, nico elvedi, Premier League, renato sanches, sergio rico, tottenham
