Top 50 Starlets to Watch at European U21 Championship
The European Under-21 Championship is edging closer, and here at Bleacher Report, we've hit the film room to dig out 50 players who are worth your gaze at the finals in the Czech Republic.
If they're a burgeoning talent, a wonderkid for their age group, a strong storyline or an intriguing prospect, they'll feature here. We've done our best to ascertain starting XIs for all eight teams and measure impact, ensuring we bring you the most noteworthy of the lot.
The players are ranked on their entertainment value and "compelling" factor. The guys at the top? You really can't afford to miss them.
50. Ruben Loftus-Cheek, DM, England
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England's wild-card call-up for the Under-21 European Championship was Ruben Loftus-Cheek. The young Chelsea midfielder, who's regarded as a rising star from the academy, played in the Blues' final league games of the Premier League season and is well-known by youth football aficionados.
The fact remains, though, that he's never played for the U21 squad and doesn't have an U21 cap to his name. He'll be familiar with some of the squad (such as Nathaniel Chalobah, thanks to their Chelsea alignment), but fitting into the philosophy will be a test.
If he gets a few minutes, he'll be worth a watch. Or perhaps Gareth Southgate is ingraining him ahead of future campaigns?
49. Francesco Bardi, GK, Italy
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Francesco Bardi will tend goal for Italy this summer at the U21 European Championship, but there are questions over whether he's going to be sharp enough.
He made just 10 appearances for Chievo on loan this season in Serie A, with only one coming in 2015. He made no showings between the months of November and April.
Bardi is a lean, lanky presence with good shot-stopping ability, but if he's not played enough football, should Nicola Leali step in instead?
48. Nicolai Brock-Madsen, ST, Denmark
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Denmark have a host of intriguing names to fit into their midfield, but their central striker remains relatively unknown. Nicolai Brock-Madsen impressed in the Danes' final pre-tournament friendly and has likely nailed down his spot in the XI.
With Yussuf Poulsen and Viktor Fischer set to play either side of him, Brock-Madsen's link-up play, size, strength and prowess in front of goal will fall under the spotlight. He has talented players around him who will serve him chances.
He's maintained a one-in-two ratio (seven in 14 games) for the U21 side, and Jess Thorup will be praying that continues here.
47. Oscar Hiljemark, CM, Sweden
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On paper, Sweden are perhaps the second-worst team in the competition; if they're to make any waves and emerge from a gruelling group, they need their key players on form.
Oscar Hiljemark, captain and central midfield maestro, has had a reasonable 2014-15 season with Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven and will be looking to lead his side against the tide in the Czech Republic.
It'll be all hands to the pump for the Swede, who will have eyes on an enhanced role in Phillip Cocu's team next season. This could be his platform.
46. Cristiano Biraghi, LB, Italy
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Internazionale don't appear to be entirely besotted by their current left-back options—a mixture of Danilo D'Ambrosio, Yuto Nagatomo and, in the case of emergency, Andrea Ranocchia—so Cristiano Biraghi's future this summer will be an interesting follow.
The left-back spent this past season at Chievo on loan and flashed real ability. He's able to take on a complete role down the flank and both defend and attack when asked.
He still shows some lapses in concentration, but his ability to deal with pace, in addition to his back-post and marking awareness, means Roberto Mancini should be considering him ahead of 2015-16. Catch a glimpse of him if you can.
45. Tomas Kalas, CB, Czech Republic
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Casual fans tuning in to Czech Republic games are going to have a tough time recognising many names, but Tomas Kalas should jump off the screen as a familiar one.
The promising central defender (or right-back) has had unfortunate injury troubles early in his career but has looked good whenever he's been able to play. Spells on loan at Vitesse Arnhem and Middlesbrough are good, but he needs Premier League football in order to continue his upward arc.
This is a litmus test for him.
44. Joao Mario, CM, Portugal
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Portugal are blessed with immense depth in central midfield; Joao Mario is just one of several quality Primeira Liga performers who are experienced enough to run the show this summer.
Mario has the fact that he plays weekly with William Carvalho—expected to be the starting holding midfielder for Os Selecao—running in his favour, and it could see him pip Bernardo Silva to a starting role.
Mario is a graceful passer and an intelligent, high-IQ footballer.
43. Jack Butland, GK, England
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We don't often get to see Jack Butland; Stoke City have stashed him away as their proposed goalkeeping future, allowing him to learn from Asmir Begovic in the shadows.
But the young Englishman impressed in Begovic's absence at the end of the season, and if, say, as the Daily Star (h/t Metro) believes, a team like Manchester United come in for the Bosnian, we'll need to know what Butland is made of.
This is his chance to show the world how far he's come under the tutelage of Mark Hughes and Begovic.
42. John Guidetti, ST, Sweden
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It feels like John Guidetti has been around forever, and there have been so many transfer controversies surrounding him it's hard to cut through it to view the actual talent.
He should be playing like a man possessed in the Czech Republic, as his contract at Manchester City will run out this summer, and he'll be looking for a new job. Celtic would like to keep him after this season's loan spell, but a Feyenoord return could be on the cards, per Voetbal International (h/t Here Is the City).
Guidetti is slated to lead the Swedish attack.
41. Jannik Vestergaard, CB, Denmark
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Jannik Vestergaard is edging closer and closer to the 100-appearance mark in domestic football, and the experience he's earning in the Bundesliga for Werder Bremen is helping Denmark defensively.
He's the leader of this side and wears the captain's armband, and his commanding performances on the pitch—making decisive tackles and shepherding attackers away from danger—have been vital to the cause.
He's a bit lanky and untidy with his feet at times, but he boasts the raw instincts any centre-back should.
40. Carlos Mane, Wing/ST, Portugal
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Portugal head to the tournament with a stunning midfield selection to choose from, but only Goncalo Paciencia of FC Porto is a central striker to hang your hat on.
Pereira scored five from 10 games during qualifying, which is not a bad record, but the difference-maker in the final third looks to be Carlos Mane.
Mane, a Sporting youngster who was a mainstay in a strong season in Lisbon, has that knack of popping up at the right place at the right time to scoop home. He's a quick, dynamic winger but also possesses an eye for a pass.
39. Ladislav Krejci, Wing, Czech Republic
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The Czech Republic's midfield isn't really up to scratch in comparison to some of the competition's strongest, so coach Jakub Dovalil could turn to Ladislav Krejci to create.
He's rough around the edges; he' capable of running hard, bursting forward with positivity and setting up chances, but a lack of finesse and technique to his game offsets those strengths.
Given the paucity of options the Czechs have—particularly in the wake of Matej Vydra's blocked call-up—the team has elevated Krejci to a chief role in the attack.
38. Ruben Neves, DM, Portugal
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Ruben Neves has come a long way in a short space of time. At the beginning of the 2014-15 campaign he was a 17-year-old diamond in the rough; now, after 30-plus senior appearances for FC Porto, he's a player many across Europe are making eyes at.
The problem for Neves is the presence of William Carvalho; the Sporting product will likely be the first-choice holding midfielder for Portugal, so will the coach squeeze Neves in alongside him or ask him to play second-fiddle?
If he gets game time, watch him closely. He's a traditional breed of a No. 6—a rarity in 2015.
37. Tiago Ilori, CB, Portugal
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How good is Tiago Ilori now? Well, let's find out.
Liverpool fans should be eager to discover the answer. Dejan Lovren hasn't worked out, Martin Skrtel's effectiveness is limited in a back four, and Emre Can should move to midfield full-time soon.
It might just be that Ilori, who has progressed steadily on loan away from the club, can vie for a spot and impact the first team. The U21 European Championship is the ideal place to scout him.
36. Matthias Ginter, CB, Germany
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Matthias Ginter's big move from Freiburg to Borussia Dortmund hasn't really gone according to plan as yet, but it's still early days, and there's a change in manager this summer.
With Thomas Tuchel replacing Jurgen Klopp, this is Ginter's chance to shine and prove he's worthy of first-team consideration back at Signal Iduna Park. He's likely to play at centre-back for Die Mannschaft, but he can also appear in midfield if necessary.
He stands to partner with a more experienced but more erratic defender in Robin Knoche. Can he lead the German defence to expected victory?
35. Filip Djuricic, AMC, Serbia
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B/R's Allan Jiang has asked whether Filip Djuricic's time in the sun is running out, and after several failed loan spells away from a Benfica side he's not thought of highly in, there's merit to the question.
The Serbian is already 23, but he has at least been an integral part of the qualification process and a key figure in Mladen Dodic's setup. He should bring an undoubted measure of flair and creativity to the tournament, but he's been known to blow hot and cold.
Having failed to impress at Southampton in 2015, he's playing for another move.
34. John Stones, CB, England
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With Eric Dier cut from England's original party, John Stones stands the most senior figure in Gareth Southgate's defence.
The Everton man has had an up-and-down domestic season—as have his entire team, in truth—but he is still seen as arguably the finest young centre-back the Three Lions have. Roy Hodgson likes him and has capped him to signal intent, and he's learning a great deal from Phil Jagielka at Goodison Park.
But in the Czech Republic, Stones will be the leader and the experienced head. Can he carry Southgate's orders onto the pitch?
33. Andreas Christensen, CB/DM, Denmark
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Andreas Christensen plays a key role for the Denmark U-21 squad but perhaps not in the position you'd expect him to. Despite calling centre-back his home and occasionally playing on the right for Chelsea, he utilises a holding midfield slot for his national outfit.
With Viktor Fischer, Yussuf Poulsen, Pione Sisto and Co. all lighting it up in the forward line, someone's got to mind the back door, and Christensen utilises his great defensive instincts in conjunction with his technical qualities to prowl and guard the midfield.
He really is a master of several trades, despite his tender age.
32. Pione Sisto, Wing, Denmark
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We're unsure of how much of a role Pione Sisto will play, because no one is sure how fit he is. What we can confirm, though, is that he's a wonderful watch, and when he takes to the pitch, he'll take your breath away.
A rather "atypical Danish player," as journalist Gustav Tornby told B/R directly in researching for this piece, Sisto weaves through challenges and dances past markers due to his incredible dribbling and speed.
He returned to FC Midtjylland XI not long ago after spending the spring season injured, totalling one goal and one assist in 25 minutes off the substitute's bench. Excitement over this fellow is both palpable and justified.
31. Kevin Volland, LW/ST, Germany
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Kevin Volland is one of the few guaranteed constants in this Germany setup; coach Horst Hrubesch rotates a lot, but Volland is captain of the side and the surefire starter up front.
The 22-year-old already has more than 100 senior appearances under his belt for Hoffenheim and has a reasonably healthy return of goals, too. Showing positional versatility has allowed him to bag consistent minutes at a good club, and that experience will serve him well in the Czech Republic this summer.
Volland isn't a goal machine, but he's the fulcrum in the attack and a key component of the side.
30. Branimir Hrgota, Wing/AMC, Sweden
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Branimir Hrgota is a lovely player, and he's coming off a brilliant season in which he helped Borussia Monchengladbach qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Confidence will be high.
It's arguable he is the most naturally talented Swede heading to the Czech Republic, and his film shows a wonderful, all-round technical game. He makes intelligent runs, pops up in good areas, dribbles well, possesses pace and even tracks back to help the defence at times.
If he gets the opportunity, he could really make an impact.
29. Daniele Baselli, CM, Italy
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Daniele Baselli of Atalanta will act as Italy's central midfield playmaker this summer, and with spots beginning to open up in the senior side, it's a critical time to impress.
Stefano Sturaro is the energy, while Baselli provides the technical touch that controls and recycles the ball. It will be his job to pick out Domenico Berardi and Andrea Belotti in good positions; if he fails, the Azzurri won't produce in the attacking third.
28. Marko Dmitrovic, GK, Serbia
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This is a big tournament for Marko Dmitrovic. If he impacts in a big way—and the expectation is that Serbia will come under some pressure defensively due to a tough group—he could land a spot in the senior side.
Vladimir Stojkovic, of Maccabi Haifa, is a 60-cap veteran and current No. 1 for Serbia, but he's not a particularly dominant option. Dmitrovic impressed everyone during the qualification period for this tournament, and he's carved out an opportunity for himself to shine.
Will he take it?
27. Arber Zeneli, Wing, Sweden
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Arber Zeneli is a little-known, intriguing prospect who could well explode onto the scene if he makes an impact in the Czech Republic.
Sweden coach Hakan Ericson values his pace and sees improvement in his game over the past 12 months, per UEFA's website:
"I thought we were a little thin in terms of fast players. We have Sam Larsson and Branimir Hrgota, but we needed one more. Arber is exceptionally fast. In the past he would mostly look to beat his opponent one on one. Now he has learnt to lift his head and see his team-mates. He has also learned a lot defensively.
"
We don't know how much we'll see of him, but Swedish aficionados are excited about his potential—particularly given his promising start in the 2015 Allsvenskan.
26. Filip Helander, CB, Sweden
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Malmo's UEFA Champions League campaign this past season was predictably short-lived, but Filip Helander showed defensive nous and ability despite coming under severe pressure in every match.
He could attract interest this summer from bigger clubs, and he'll be tasked with keeping things tight at the back for his team. Coach Ericson will be hoping Helander's instinctive, astute positional sense and knack of being in the right place at the right time shine through.
25. Danny Ings, ST, England
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Danny Ings' recent move to Liverpool heaps a ton of pressure on the player's shoulders this summer; when you sign for such a club, scrutiny levels rise dramatically in the space of minutes and seconds.
He's likely set to play second fiddle to a Harry Kane-Saido Berahino combination but represents a truly wonderful depth option off the bench—one that England so rarely have, given the paucity of options the nation struggles with up front.
Some Liverpool fans will be taking a close look at their new man for the first time, while others will be looking for affirmation he's worth the compensatory fee from Burnley.
24. William Carvalho, DM, Portugal
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Thanks to a tumultuous 2014 summer transfer window filled with rumours and links, fans of the Premier League are all very familiar with William Carvalho.
The Sporting midfielder overcame a disappointing first half of the 2014-15 season to burst into stupendous form post-Christmas, reaffirming his position as one of the brightest, most dominant young anchor midfielders in the world.
He faces stiff competition from a host of central Portuguese talents and FC Porto's Ruben Neves for a spot in the side, but he's played (and played well) in a FIFA World Cup. He's in, right?
23. Luke Garbutt, LB, England
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Luke Garbutt has the privileged position of learning directly from Leighton Baines. He's his Everton understudy and has relieved the full international by stepping in at times this season.
The similarities between them are, understandably, quite obvious: Garbutt is a wrecking ball moving forward when he's on his game, and his crossing technique looks well-practiced.
With Luke Shaw injured, this is Garbutt's time to shine. If he can impress, it may further his cause in grabbing more minutes for Everton—or attracting a new suitor altogether.
22. James Ward-Prowse, CM, England
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James Ward-Prowse faces immense competition for a spot in England's midfield, but he'll likely get the nod to start thanks to his wealth of Premier League experience and impressive performance against Germany in a recent friendly.
He's a wizard with a set piece, giving the Three Lions an extra edge in how they attack and carve out chances, and he's improving his shooting steadily to the point of being acceptable.
He can run a midfield if the game falls for him. Southgate will be hoping he thrives as a leader.
21. Raphael Guerreiro, LB, Portugal
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French Football Weekly's Le 50 (2015 edition) wildly praised Raphael Guerreiro for his versatility and drastic improvement as a player; he's now capable of playing anywhere up the left side and can switch to the right too.
He can impact from left-back, motoring forward with speed and precision, or from a more natural wing position where he can shoot, cross and thread passes into dangerous areas. His long shot is developing, and he's getting wiser all the time.
He's an exciting watch and could well be the second coming of Fabio Coentrao in Portugal's eyes.
20. Alessio Romagnoli, CB, Italy
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Alessio Romagnoli and Daniele Rugani are without doubt the strongest central defensive partnership the U21 European Championship will offer in 2015—by a significant margin.
The Roma defender, loaned to Sampdoria this season in a successful move for all parties involved, is a no-nonsense, bruising centre-back with the added grace of a ball-playing outlet.
He impressed for the Giallorossi sporadically before taking in a season farther north, and now he'll be gunning for a spot in the Roma XI by impressing here.
19. Andrea Belotti, ST, Italy
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Andrea Belotti has a huge 2015-16 season coming up, and the hard work starts here at the U21 European Championship.
He's slated to replace Juventus-bound Paulo Dybala this year for Palermo, and one way to get the fans on-board with trusting him to take such a step is to impress up front for Italy this summer.
Belotti will be the first-choice striker for Luigi Di Biagio and be asked to hoover up in a sporadic side built on its defensive strength. We'll learn a lot about his mettle soon enough.
18. Emre Can, DM, Germany
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What position will he play? That will be the first question on Liverpool fans' minds when they tune in to watch the U21 European Championship in June. Horst Hrubesch has a real luxury when considering where to place Emre Can.
He should go in the middle, as while his stints in central defence and right-back have looked good, he's naturally an anchor who can bring unrivalled balance to a midfield.
Can is worth a watch wherever he plays, be it buccaneering forward or slamming through challenges.
17. Stefano Sturaro, CM, Italy
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Stefano Sturaro will join up late with the Italy squad in the Czech Republic after sitting on the bench for Juventus during their UEFA Champions League final defeat to Barcelona. That very statement sums up his remarkable rise this campaign under Massimiliano Allegri in the space of one season.
An energetic, powerful, box-to-box central midfielder, Sturaro adds a bit of gusto and forward motion to a technically sound and creative Italy midfield. His development is worth keeping an eye on; he could be in for a major role with the Old Lady next season if Arturo Vidal were to leave.
16. Vaclav Kadlec, ST, Czech Republic
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It's all on Vaclav Kadlec this summer. The hopes of a nation rest squarely on his shoulders.
With Watford's owners blocking Matej Vydra's call-up to the Czech Republic squad, as confirmed by the Watford Observer, Kadlec supplies the sole semblance of firepower for the hosts.
He's never been the most prolific of players, but he has thrived on loan at Sparta this season and has formed a bond with right-sider Pavel Kaderabek. If Kadlec can't finish his chances, the Czechs are ducking out at the first hurdle.
15. Bernardo Silva, AMC, Portugal
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Bernardo Silva was a vital player for Portugal during the qualification process, netting four goals in seven appearances. He stands to be a key cog at the finals too and will arrive in the Czech Republic in a confident mood after helping Monaco to another season of UEFA Champions League football.
He's silky smooth slipping in between the lines and is a graceful, refined playmaker. He can also filter out to the wide right position or slot in just behind the striker rather than start from a deeper position.
Silva has Champions League experience already and plenty of games under his belt. Portugal will expect him to rule in the middle this summer.
14. Danilo Cataldi, CM, Italy
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Danilo Cataldi could surprise a few people this summer. He's been a good performer in Lazio's brilliant 2014-15 season, yet he still flies well and truly under the radar.
The 20-year-old is a firecracker of a midfielder who is seemingly capable of doing it all. He's tenacious and committed to ball recovery, and he's able to ping long passes into faraway players' feet and move from box to box well.
An added bonus is his set-piece delivery: His ability to swing in flat free-kicks could work in Italy's favour.
13. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, GK, Germany
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We have a UEFA Champions League winner playing in the U21 European Championship. What a surreal notion.
Marc-Andre ter Stegen, fresh from victory in Berlin with Barcelona, will start in goal for the German U21s in what has to be one of the most luxurious options a youth coach has ever experienced and enjoyed.
He wasn't asked to do too much in a dominant domestic side but still pulled out some smart stops, and he'll enjoy renewed respect as he organises Die Mannschaft's back line.
12. Leonardo Bittencourt, Wing/CM, Germany
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Projecting Germany's midfield is tough, but Leonardo Bittencourt is likely to feature for Hrubesch. He's willing to play anywhere across the formation and represents a certain amount of intrigue as a player.
Why? He's a technical wizard blessed with a generous dollop of tenacity; not only does he carve out unique passes and innovative attacking moves, but he also harasses opponents on the ball and forces mistakes.
He's a tempo-setter in there and can be the catalyst for devastating counters.
11. Milos Jojic, RW, Serbia
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With Filip Kostic withdrawing from the Serbia U21 squad at Stuttgart's request, the bulk of the creative work in the final third falls to Milos Jojic. He was already the star player, but now he's more integral than ever.
Having endured a rough campaign with Borussia Dortmund and lost Jurgen Klopp's trust, he needs to use this chance to bounce back and reaffirm his burgeoning talent.
Jojic can dribble, create and possesses manic pace; he's the guy all of his team-mates want to pass to. He has also a certain Thomas Tuchel to impress, so you can bet he'll bring his A-game.
10. Saido Berahino, ST, England
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Saido Berahino top-scored in qualifying for the U21 European Championship, and his goals made the difference for England earlier on. That makes him a surefire starter with Harry Kane up front.
It will be interesting to see how Berahino continues to play alongside Kane—he's used to a less forgiving, lonely role up front for West Bromwich Albion under Tony Pulis—and once again his ability to find the net stands key to the Three Lions' progression.
Given Berahino is eyeing a big move elsewhere, could he use the tournament as a springboard?
9. Yussuf Poulsen, ST/Wing, Denmark
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Denmark aren't taking many pure strikers to the Championship, so Jess Thorup will rely on his litany of goalscoring midfield options to chip in.
Yussuf Poulsen is expected to line up wide of central striker Nicolai Brock-Madsen, and that's the same position he takes for RB Leipzig domestically. He's some athlete, capable of bursting into space and ripping defences apart by running in behind. His ball control and awareness are also strong, which leads this writer to project him as a No. 9 in the future.
We're spoiled for choice when it comes to attack-minded Danes, but Poulsen is a largely unknown quantity and could well make a name for himself in this tournament. We're hoping the slight ankle knock picked up on duty for the seniors last week doesn't hinder him in the Czech Republic.
8. Harry Kane, ST, England
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Despite Saido Berahino being England's main man during qualifying for the U21 European Championship, scoring 10 goals to top all others, the world's eyes will be fixed upon Harry Kane.
The Tottenham Hotspur hit man breached the 20-goal barrier in the Premier League this season despite only gatecrashing the first XI in November. His football smarts and deadly finishing bring an edge to this England side that they've rarely boasted over the years.
Was Kane's season a flash in the pan or the beginning of a great career? The U21 tournament won't be the decider of the answer to that question, but it could give us a clue.
7. Pavel Kaderabek, RB, Czech Republic
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Pavel Kaderabek is an exciting, positive, direct player. He's probably the Czech Republic's best player in the squad, and we've selected him as their star in our preview of the nation.
He makes superb runs in behind when committing forward, sparking superb buildup play on the right-hand side for club and country. He's brave and quick and possesses a phenomenal engine, which allows him to play a byline-to-byline role if necessary.
The Czech Republic could deploy Kaderabek at right-back or right-winger; either way, he'll probably just play both.
6. Domenico Berardi, Wing, Italy
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We've picked Domenico Berardi as our star player for Italy, and anyone who has seen him destroy defences in Serie A will agree with the selection.
The Sassuolo wide forward, co-owned by Juventus, has been terrorising full-backs since breaking out two years ago and is developing his craft at an alarming rate. He's managed a near 2-1 ratio in games to goals despite not yet reaching the age of 21.
He'll cut in and power forward, dribbling at pace and hammering shots at goal. He's so difficult to shut down.
5. Daniele Rugani, CB, Italy
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Daniele Rugani played every minute of every game for Empoli this Serie A season and was widely regarded as one of the finest centre-backs of the 2014-15 campaign. He's just 20 years old!
That's fantastic news for Juventus, who actually own his rights, and it gives credence to the idea that perhaps the Bianconeri could do with shifting out Martin Caceres or Angelo Ogbonna in order to make room for him in their squad.
Rugani is a leader, a clean technician (zero yellow cards in 38 games) and an immense presence given his inexperience.
4. Viktor Fischer, Wing, Denmark
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Viktor Fischer returned to domestic action for Ajax in April after spending an astonishing 14 months on the sidelines. His hamstring injury was so severe he had surgery, and then he experienced several complications after that.
That means he has some lost time to make up for, and he is hungry to hit this tournament like a tornado. Pre-injury he was a dynamic, quick and ruthless left-winger with a calm finish and a cool head.
Is he still the same player? Time will tell, and this is our chance to catch a good, long glimpse of him—he's slated to start on the flank for Denmark.
3. Nathan Redmond, Wing, England
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Nathan Redmond appears to have settled down this season, excelling for Norwich City at the back end of 2014-15 and putting in a stunning display in the play-off final to achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
He's England's X-factor heading into the U21 European Championship, and he'll be at the heart of every attack of note. He had a hand in most of the Three Lions' goals during qualifying, and Gareth Southgate has given him a freer role in order to maximise his efficiency.
2. Max Meyer, Wing/AMC, Germany
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Max Meyer is one of several remarkable young talents fresh off the Schalke production line, and while Julian Draxler may be too senior and Donis Avdijaj too young for this tournament, Meyer could be an X-factor for Horst Hrubesch.
The silky playmaker has the flexibility to play off the striker as a No. 10 or off the flank as an inverted attacker. He's great in tight spaces, phenomenal on the ball and confident enough to start attacks.
He'll test every defence he plays against, and only the very best in this age group have a hope in hell of keeping a lid on him.
1. Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, CM, Denmark
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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is our star player for Denmark, and he's the heartbeat of Jess Thorup's side. With the Scandinavian outfit missing some key players due to injury, including Aston Villa's Jores Okore, it falls to Hojbjerg to drag his side through a gruelling group.
Bundesliga fans will be familiar with the Bayern Munich man who helped Augsburg to UEFA Europa League football this past season while on loan there. He's a box-to-box dynamo with immense skill and power at his disposal.
His penchant for a golazo makes him a danger in every game, and that makes him our No. 1 pick.
All statistics sourced from UEFA.com unless stated otherwise.
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