Scout report: Who will be the breakout stars of Euro 2024?
International tournaments typically provide a stage for talented youngsters to catapult themselves to stardom.
That should be no different at Euro 2024, with several exciting prospects set to feature heavily in Germany.
So we’ve used Twenty3’s Toolbox to assess some of the players who could enjoy a breakout summer.
Johan Bakayoko
Belgium winger Johan Bakayoko will be familiar to any regular viewers of the Eredivisie.
The 21-year-old was in fine form for PSV Eindhoven last season, netting 12 league goals and providing seven assists.
No player in the division completed more dribbles (169) or made more progressive runs (187), while he ranked second for attacking duels won (216).
With 10 international caps to his name, Bakayoko is beginning to make his mark for Belgium too.
He featured six times in qualifying, netting in a 3-0 win over Estonia last year.
Bakayoko is not yet a guaranteed starter under Domenico Tedesco, with Jérémy Doku and Leandro Trossard providing stiff competition in wide areas.
But expect the pacey youngster to make an impact when given an opportunity at this summer’s tournament.
Florian Wirtz
Florian Wirtz is not far away from becoming a household name.
Those who are still not familiar with the young attacking midfielder probably will be by the end of the summer.
He was instrumental in Bayer Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga title win, scoring 11 top-flight goals and contributing seven assists.
The 21-year-old ranked first in the division for attacking duels attempted (413), and his ability to glide past defenders makes him a constant threat.
He also ranked second for through-passes attempted (57) and third for touches in the opposition box (145).
Wirtz is equally adept as both a goalscorer and creator. That unique combination has made him a regular under Julian Nagelsmann, with 16 Germany caps to his name so far.
But a European Championship on home soil could be where Wirtz truly emerges on a continental — even global — scale.
If he can inspire his country to glory, expect the youngster to be the name on everyone’s lips.
Benjamin Šeško
Benjamin Šeško feels like a relative veteran on the international stage, given he has 28 Slovenia caps to his name already.
That in itself is an impressive achievement at the age of 21, but there could be much bigger things to come.
The striker was excellent in Euro 2024 qualifying, scoring five times in nine appearances and leading the line with real presence and personality.
At 6ft 5in, he is effective in the air, attempting 46 aerial duels during qualification.
But more notable is his exceptional pace and technical quality. For such a tall man, he is remarkably fleet of foot.
With Erling Haaland setting the standard for rangy, slightly awkward but prolific centre forwards, there is plenty of excitement surrounding Šeško.
He has done well in his first season with RB Leipzig, getting into double figures for goals after his move last summer from Red Bull Salzburg.
If Šeško catches the eye at Euro 2024, his growing list of admirers will be even longer.
Lamine Yamal
Lamine Yamal is already a name most football fans will recognise, simply because of his remarkable achievements at such an early age.
La Masia’s latest golden boy, he is now a regular for Barcelona at 16 and last year became the the youngest ever player and goalscorer for Spain.
He netted twice in qualifying, despite featuring just four times, and ranked second for dribbles attempted per 90 minutes (12.18).
There is no shortage of confidence, then. Yamal plays with the exuberant freedom of a teenager and shows no sign of being weighed down by the sudden expectation on his shoulders.
There have been predictable comparisons to Lionel Messi, given Yamal’s favoured position on the right flank and his tendency to cut inside onto his left foot.
The goals and assists will need to flow more readily in the coming years for such comparisons to be taken seriously.
But Yamal is an exciting talent, and Euro 2024 could be his chance to announce himself on the European stage.
António Silva
Defenders are often neglected when it comes to discussions about wonderkids.
They typically bloom a little later than midfielders and forwards, but that is not the case for António Silva.
The Portugal centre-back, 20, has had an excellent couple of seasons at Benfica and has established himself as a regular for the national team under Roberto Martínez.
An excellent reader of the game and confident when playing out from the back — he completed 413 passes at an accuracy rate of 96.05% in qualifying — Silva has formed a strong partnership with Manchester City’s Rúben Dias.
No Portugal player made more interceptions per 90 (4.8) and he ranked second in the team for ball recoveries completed per 90 (11.25).
His ability to step out from defence — both in and out of possession — will be key for Martínez’s side.
While Portugal’s many gifted attacking players are likely to be in the limelight, keep a close eye on Silva at Euro 2024.
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