Stars of Tomorrow To Watch Out For At The Under 21’s European Championships in Denmark

The season may have recently drawn to a close leaving football fans around the nation with a two month wait before competitive club matches begin again. However all is not lost. Now June is here so too is the Under 21 European Championship Finals, beginning on the 11^th and running through to the 25^th.

After finishing runners up in the previous competition, England have a real chance to win it this time round however they won’t have it easy. The tournament is sure to be bursting with talented youngsters who have potential to develop into stars of the future. Below are some ones to watch when the competition kicks off next week.

David De Gea – The Athletico Madrid number 1 may well be on his way to the Premier League next season, if rumours emanating from Old Trafford turn out to be true, and it’s easy to see why when his past achievements are examined. At only 20 years old De Gea has already won the European Championship and a runners up medal at the World Cup at Under 17’s level. He has also helped his club to Europa League and Super Cup glory in his first two seasons as the first team goalkeeper. With all the speculation linking him with the new Premier League Champions, as a replacement for the retired Edwin Van Der Sar, all eyes should be on De Gea during this tournament.

Phil Jones – Blackburn have had a tough campaign this season, only narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day, however things could have been a lot worse if it wasn’t for their assured 19 year old centre back. Jones seems to be able to read the game like an experienced footballer way beyond his years, accompanied with his strength, pace and tackling ability he has been recognised as having huge potential, with many of Europe’s elite said to be watching the Preston born teenager. Versatility is also a part of his game, with his ability to occupy a holding midfield role when necessary, making him a huge asset to Stuart Pearce’s squad.

Christian Eriksen – Winner of both the Danish Under 17 Talent of the Year in 2008 and Danish Talent of the Year in 2010 this 19 year old Ajax star is sure to take the spotlight on his home soil in Denmark. Eriksen has had the honour of being touted as the next Michael Laudrup, playing with finesse and great technique and occupying a similar play-maker, attacking midfield position of the legendary Dane. Eriksen also appeared as the youngest player to feature in the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa and must certainly be noted as one to watch in the coming tournament.

Xherdan Shaqiri – This 19 year old attacking midfielder is considered by many in his home country of Switzerland as the future of Swiss football. He too was called up to the World Cup finals last summer and scored his first international goal for his country against England in a European Championships qualifying match, receiving praise from both Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard in the process. Having come out of FC Basel’s youth academy, Shaqiri won player of the tournament at the Under 15’s Nike Cup. Despite interests from Europe’s elite clubs he stayed in Switzerland and now holds down a first team squad position at Basel, featuring for them in the Champions League competition this close season.

Tom Cleverley – The 21 year old Manchester United midfielder has made a strong impression at Wigan Athletic this season with his skilful and determined performances, demonstrated by his 25 appearances whilst on loan at the club. He has been loaned out by United in three successive seasons, heading to Watford in 2009 scoring 11 goals in 35 appearances and Leicester City the year before scoring twice with 15 appearances. The youngster has shown a lot of promise gaining healthy first team action over the past seasons and, with the announcement of Paul Scholes’ retirement on Sunday, perhaps this tournament is a stage set for Cleverley to show Ferguson exactly why he should be given a chance at United next season.

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