Euro 2016 - 5 young players from lesser known leagues to watch out for
Euro 2016 is the biggest festival of European Football and this edition of the quadrennial event will feature 24 teams, the most ever in the history of the tournament. As a result of this expansion to 24 teams, fans will not only get to see more teams participating, but also more players.
However as a result of this expansion, star players from some of the traditionally weaker nations will also feature in this tournament. So fans around the world will get to see stars like Gareth Bale (Wales), Marek Hamsik (Slovakia), Gylfi Sigurdsson (Iceland), etc. in action on truly global International stage.
While the tournament will feature some of the most recognisable and well-known faces from around the top leagues in Europe, there will also be some of the top rising young talents from around the top European leagues on display.
However, not all players who will feature in the Euros, play in the top European leagues and the same is true of the stars of the future. While no doubt the top European leagues are home to some bright young future prospects, there are many fine young players who ply their trade in the lesser known European Leagues.
We pick out 5 young talents from these lesser known European leagues who will be seen strutting their stuff in Euro 2016.
1) Breel Embolo (Switzerland)
Club – Basel (Swiss Super League)
Position – Striker
Breel Embolo is one of the most highly rated young strikers in Europe. The 19-year-old already has 10 caps for the Swiss and also has an International goal to his name. Embolo, who made his debut for Basel aged just 17, has scored 21 goals for his club in 61 appearances. In the season that just finished, Embolo helped Basel win the Swiss Super League, contribution 10 goals and 7 assists in 27 league games.
Breel Embolo will feature in Group A of the tournament, which also features hosts France, debutants Albania, and Romania. Switzerland are expected to finish second in the group and qualify for the knock-out rounds from the group, alongside France.
Embolo will look to capitalise on his opportunities to showcase his talent, and make Euro 2016 a grand coming out party, where he announces himself to the football world.