Euro 2016: 5 players who must perform in the tournament
Euro 2016 is just a few days away and there is a lot of pressure on some of the favourites to go out and win the coveted crown. Beating the defending champions Spain will not be an easy task and with an extended list of 24 countries taking part in the competition, there are going to be a few surprise results where a player or two will shine.
Speaking of shining for the national team, there are quite a number of stars who need to perform well in this championship. The club season normally gives us an idea of which player will make a huge impact in any international tournament in the summer but some of these stars have had a horrendous campaign for their respective league sides and will want to prove the critics wrong.
There are other stars who want to carry their exceptional club form to their national teams and lead them to glory. Being a quadrennial event, there aren’t many chances for a player to showcase his ability on the international stage but this competition would be a perfect stage.
Here are five players who need to perform in the upcoming Euros.
5) Raheem Sterling – England
One of the most expensive transfers of all time, Raheem Sterling joined Manchester City from Liverpool for a fee of £49 million, which could rise based on his performances for the Citizens. Sterling, however, didn’t have the greatest season for the Premier League side and only made 23 starts in a stuttering league campaign for his new club.
The 21-year-old failed to cement a starting place in Manuel Pellegrini’s side and with Pep Guardiola set to take over next season, the onus to perform firmly falls on the shoulders of the youngster. Sterling was expected to go on to bigger and better things since his move from Merseyside but nothing of that sort has been achieved.
England have a couple of tough games in their group, especially the one against Wales and Sterling will be looking to do well. The former Liverpool star was also part of the England team in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and also played in the losing cause against Italy, though he was adjudged as the man-of-the-match.
The Manchester City star is confident of a good showing, due to England’s performances in the pre-tournament friendlies and will hope for a better performance from the English side which didn’t make it out from the World Cup group in 2014.