Scout Report: 5 stars of the European U-21 Championship group stage
We have reached the knockout phase of the European U-21 Championship — and plenty of stars have made a name for themselves in the group stage.
The quarter-finals are set to provide plenty of shocks and shine the light on some superb young talents.
Ahead of these tantalising clashes, we used the Twenty3 Toolbox to pick out some of the top performers at the tournament so far.
Zuriko Davitashvili
Zuriko Davitashvili has been key to Georgia’s brilliant unbeaten run so far.
He may already have scored the goal of the tournament with his phenomenal solo run against the Netherlands.
The Bordeaux sensation picked the ball up 40 yards out and darted through the heart of the Oranje, running past a host of defenders before finishing with aplomb.
The key actions visualisation indicates that the 22-year-old is most comfortable operating in and around the box.
Davitashvili has taken plenty of touches in the opposition penalty area and has attempted several passes in the dangerous zone 14, just outside the box.
He has been a nightmare for defenders so far at the European U-21 Championship and will hope to continue catching the eye in the knockout phase.
Ryan Cherki
Ryan Cherki has already established himself as a consistent performer with Lyon and his class has shone through at this tournament.
He scored in France’s 4-1 drubbing of Switzerland, but his primary qualities are his ball-carrying and incisive passing.
His rankings reveal a player who excels at moving forward with the ball at his feet — placing among the best in the tournament for progressive runs and dribbles.
The Lyon star is also more than capable of picking a pass, completing the fourth-most through-balls at the tournament.
Ukraine are up next in the quarter-finals and if France are to go all the way and be crowned European U-21 champions, Cherki will surely play a starring role.
James Trafford
James Trafford has stood head and shoulders above every other goalkeeper at the European U-21 Championship so far.
England are yet to concede a goal at this tournament — making Trafford the only shot-stopper to keep clean sheets in all three group games.
His outstanding save against Germany to deny Kevin Schade was a particularly memorable moment and helped to preserve the Three Lions’ unblemished record when it seemed likelier that their rearguard would be breached.
The 20-year-old is on the books at Manchester City but impressed on loan at Bolton Wanderers last season and — based on his performances at this competition so far — is surely destined to carve out a career at a higher level.
Fabian Rieder
Switzerland barely scraped through to the quarter-finals, but Fabian Rieder has shone regardless.
The 21-year-old has demonstrated his creative talents, notching two assists — the joint-most in the tournament so far.
The attacking midfielder has already established himself in the first team at club level with Young Boys and even represented the Swiss senior side at the World Cup in Qatar, so his outstanding showings at the European U-21 Championship are far from surprising.
His shot and shot assist map reveals that he is the side’s chief creator, regularly finding his teammates in dangerous areas.
Rieder will need every ounce of his class to drag Switzerland deeper in the tournament.
Irakli Azarovi
Davitashvili has snatched the headlines as Georgia have impressed as co-hosts of the European U-21 Championship, but Irakli Azarovi has been a quietly effective and equally important member of the side.
The 21-year-old operates in a hybrid role, generally playing on the left of midfield but also covering as an auxiliary full-back.
His heat map reveals the extent of his presence, which covers the entire left-hand side as he makes key contributions both on and off the ball.
As Georgia take on Israel in the quarter-finals, Azarovi will be needed once more to lock down his flank.
All visualisations and Smart Reports in this article were produced with the Twenty3 Toolbox. For more information, please get in touch below.