In our view, it would be worth keeping a close eye on certain Manchester City players at Euro 2024.
Coming off the back of winning yet another Premier League title, the expectations on several of their players to light up the tournament will be through the roof.
De Bruyne will head into Euro 2024 with huge pressure on his shoulders
All eyes will be on Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne as he will be heading into Euro 2024 as Belgium’s captain.
Recently, Domenico Tedesco said on the Royal Belgian FA’s YouTube channel that he was delighted to have the option of picking the 32-year-old once again — having been unable in their last two friendlies against England and Ireland.
At the Qatar World Cup, the £54.5 million had a tournament to forget from an individual standpoint, while the Red Devils were knocked out of the group stage.
With De Bruyne heading into what could be his last major tournament and that too as captain, if he sets the world alight, that could further boost his legacy as one of his generation’s best midfielders.
If the City legend fails to, the scrutiny he would be under would be sky high while his international career will likely be called into question.
Kevin De Bruyne will be determined to make a mark for his country, who lack genuine world-class quality, as opposed to the days under Marc Wilmots and Roberto Martinez where they had other top players like Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Dries Mertens.
Time for Phil Foden to show his class in an England shirt
When Gareth Southgate announced England’s preliminary squad for Euro 2024, he stressed that it is necessary to keep an eye out for where Phil Foden ends up instead of where he starts on the pitch.
After the season Phil Foden has had in central areas in a Manchester City, there is a want from many, such as Wayne Rooney to see him occupy the number 10 position at Euro 2024.
Heading into the tournament as one of England’s main men for the first time, there will be a focus on whether Foden can replicate his form for City at international level.
Considering the 24-year-old is now viewed as one of his country’s best players, he would rightly be expected to light up proceedings.
If deployed as an attacking midfielder in particular, which Phil Foden has admitted remains his favoured role, there is no reason why he cannot be expected to emerge as a difference-maker for England.
Rodri will be Spain’s main man at Euro 2024
Similar to how Kevin De Bruyne is Belgium’s protagonist, the same could be said for Rodri in a Spain shirt.
The likes of Pedri and Lamine Yamal are top, young players but they are only 21 and 16 years old respectively.
Rodri, 27, is an established world-class player with plenty of experience and silverware under his belt.
In the Nation’s League in 2023, the midfield maestro was recognised as the tournament’s Best Player — indicating how key of a cog he is for his country.
Rodri will be expected to emerge to control proceedings from the middle of the park against elite opposition like France and England in particular to give Spain a chance of going all the way.
Man City centre-back Josko Gvardiol is one of Croatia’s main men
It was at the 2022 World Cup where Josko Gvardiol etched his reputation as one of the game’s best up-and-coming defenders and at Euro 2024 — his importance to his nation has increased further.
With Dejan Lovren, who was a stable figure in Croatia’s backline having retired last year, the Manchester City centre-back will be expected to lead his nation’s defence.
Domagoj Vida might be expected to call the shots in terms of his experience but at 35 years of age, he is in the twilight years of his career.
On form as well, Gvardiol has been top-class for City and he has been one of Europe’s best defenders, primarily as a makeshift left-back.
Apart from the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic, Croatia will be relying on Josko Gvardiol to have a big say with his performances in Germany.
Jeremy Doku will be Belgium’s X-factor at Euro 2024
Apart from Kevin De Bruyne, Belgium’s biggest difference-maker at Euro 2024 is arguably Jeremy Doku.
The 22-year-old suits Domenico Tedesco’s system to a tee as his Belgian team often plays on the break — making his world-class dribbling and searing pace huge assets for his manager.
With space to exploit after the opposition commits most of their team further forward, Doku could use the aforementioned traits to wreak havoc, especially against the top teams.
If Jeremy Doku can give full-backs nightmares at the Euros, he could help Belgium emerge as a dark horse and potentially even be up for the tournament’s Best Young Player award.