Young Players to Watch Out For

SAMIR NASRI (France)

Rated as the "next Zinedine Zidane" by many, this 20 year old Marseille midfielder has already made over a 120 appearences for his club. Just like the man he is compared to, Nasri is also of Algerian origin.

The Attacking man won Ligue 1 Young Player of the Year in his native France for the 2006/2007 season. He also lifted the under 17 european championship with France in 2004. Despite not living upto the hype last season, he is still going to be a key player for his country.

The Arsenal bound midfielder will surely have a lot more top clubs chasing him once his talent is on show for at the big stage.

CRISTIANO RONALDO (Portugal)

After Having a dream season with Manchester United, winning the league and champions league double, as well as the golden shoe after scoring 42 goals in all competitions and PFA player of the year for the second time running, Cristiano Ronaldo could be the man to watch this tournament.

The dazzling winger can play on either side of the midfield, but coach Luiz Felipe Scolari likes to give him the free role to switch around in the middle of the park. A genuine goal scorer, could be a contender for top scorer, has a brilliant right foot and can shoot from long range and close. A set piece specialist, will take most of Portugal`s free kicks and penalties, despite missing his last 2 penalties for his club. Also a threat in the air and can take the ariel route to goal.

The on going transfer saga to Real Madrid could be playing on his mind, but would be a pretty safe bet to say, he is going to be one of the top players this summer.

WESLEY SNEIJDER (Netherlands)

The Holland number 10, a product from the Ajax youth academy, is a dutch version of David Beckham. Replacing the Englishman at Real Madrid, the 23 year old can play comfortably with both his feet. He can also play in a verity of positions, be it in the center of midfield, behind the front man or on the right hand side. Crosses the ball brilliantly and also a free kick taker, Sneijder will be a key man in Marco van Basten`s side.

Played in the 2006 World Cup as a defensive midfielder, this time round the could be the center of the team, playing right behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

KARIM BENZEMA (France)

The Striker that everybody wants. Top scorer in the French first devision, the Lyon man is a key figure for club and country at just the tender age of 19. His style of play is similar to Brazilian legend Ronaldo, Benzema has a lot of pace and loves running with the ball. A powerful shooter and a clinical finisher, the player was voted as the league`s best player last season.

Probably the most promising french talent since the great Zinedine Zidane, many teams would love to take him off Lyon`s hand. But he has signed a new contract with the 7 times French Champions and a good Euro 2008, could see a near world record fee coming in for Karim Benzema.


KLASS JAN HUNTELAAR (Netherlands)



Scoring 70 goals in a little over 80 appearances for Ajax, Klass Jan Huntelaar is rated as the next big thing in Dutch football. A lethal finisher, just like fellow countrymen Ruud van Nistelrooy and Marco van Basten, this product of the PSV Eindhoven academy broke onto the scene when he scored 17 goals in half a season for Heerenveen in 2005. Since then there has been no stopping him and goals have come from the right foot, left foot and his head.

Has been linked with a big money move all over Europe and this summer could be the time he leaves the league, where he has been top scorer twice and won the "talent of the year" award.

Despite having scored 7 times in 12 appearences for his country, Huntelaar is not sure of a starting spot for the Oranje. Coach Marco van Basten would only play one of Klass Jan Huntelaar and Ruud van Nistelrooy up front, and the later could get that spot due to his experience. But rest assured, goals are almost certain every time this young talent has the ball at his feet.

RICARDO QUARESMA (Portugal)

Ricardo Quaresma is probably an unpolished version of Cristiano Ronaldo. Both of them are very talented youngsters and have very similar styles of play. Lots of trickery from the wings, good crossers of the ball, and can score goals.

Quaresma started his playing career with Ronaldo at Sporting Lisbon. When the later moved to Manchester United, Ricardo joined FC Barcelona. But after a bad season in Spain, he was sent back to Portugal, where he signed for FC Porto in a swap deal involving Deco.

Now this winger has settled himself well in the Porto midfield and is one of the best players in the world. A very highly rated midfielder, has caught the eye of several big clubs across Europe, Quaresma will have lots of eyes on him during the Euro 2008.

MIGUEL VELOSO (Portugal)

While Cristiano Ronaldo, Ricardo Quaresma and Deco will be catching all the attention of the beautiful free flowing Portuguese side, it will be Miguel Veloso who will be the unsung hero of this team making sure they do not let in goals. Veloso is a defensive midfielder who is very mature and very tactical for his age. The 20 year old has also played at Center Back and Left Back for his club side, Sporting Lisbon and can be used as emergency cover for those positions.

Could be the key of Scolari`s team, Veloso will break down most of the plays in midfield with his strong tackles and ability to read the game well. If Portugal do go far, it will be a lot because of this power horse in midfield.

FERNANDO TORRES (Spain)

El Nino is no stranger to the Spanish national team with this being his second major tournament with the national side. Played his part in the FIFA World Cup, where he was second to David Villa, but Euro 2008 is a different story all together.

Fernando Torres is going to be Spain`s main striker this summer. Following his move from boyhood club Atleatico Madrid to Liverpool last summer, he has scored over 30 goals in his debut season with his new team. Very powerful and can hold the ball well, Torres can score from almost anywhere on the football ground.

Despite the fact that there will be no Steven Gerrard, who Torres has created a wonderful understanding with at Liverpool, you can still be sure to see goals from the number 9. Defenders will have sleepless nights before they come up against this big 24 year old.

MARIO GOMEZ (Germany)


Big, burly and extremely efficient; Mario Gomez is perhaps one of the finest and technically adept players to have graced the German league in recent years. Already carrying the mantle of Bundesliga Player of the Year with an amazing record of 28 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions for VfB Stuttgart, he has established himself and the premier focal point of Joachim Low’s side.

Gomez has an incredible eye for which is displayed through the variety of options he has—being equally gifted with his foot as well as head. He is pure class when it comes to timing his runs to Porsche perfection and finishing with ease.

Will have a lot of scouts watching this man, with reported interest from Chelsea, Manchester City and Inter Milan already being there and that list will just get bigger the more he plays.