09. June 2021 – 22:07 Clock
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Six candidates with throne potential
By Manuel Lippert and Emmanuel Schneider
This EM is also teeming with absolute world stars. From old master Cristiano Ronaldo to young master Kylian Mbappé, in between Kevin De Bruyne, Robert Lewandowski and and and. But also many young stars scratch their hooves to make themselves immortal. Who has the greatest tournament-of-life potential? We looked at six candidates.
Phil Foden (21, England)
Looks Like Before (1996) Paul Gascoigne: Phil Foden
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The 21-year-old is the new hope of the “Three Lions”. In the talented team of Coach Gareth Southgate, the ManCity professional once again stands out. The offensive man not only enchants the fans on the island, but also his club coach Pep Guardiola. “Phil is the most talented player I have ever seen in my coaching career,” said the Catalan of his protégé. Together with Foden, Pep won the English championship title and reached the CL final. Foden was an important component of the successful team – Borussia Dortmund felt that too. At City, the 1.71 meter tall talent was mostly used on the left wing, scoring nine goals and five assists in 28 league games. His debut in the national team only celebrated in September 2020, in the third match the first double was achieved. Foden is a natural talent: fast, agile, dribbling, hardly to stop despite his only 65 kg. The freshly bleached youngster likes to go on a fishing trip to relax. Let’s see what successes he has on the hook after the euro.
João Felix (21, Portugal)
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Joao Felix is the most expensive Portuguese kicker
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Not only does it look like a magic mouse, it is. Similar to Lionel Messi from the system – only twelve years younger at 21 years of age. Usually carries the ball across the court with dreamlike confidence and knows what it means to always be one step faster on the ball. And while others pull strings in midfield, the Atlético Madrid playmaker pulls a whole carpet. Came in 2019 as Nations League winner and Portuguese champion with Benfica Lisbon in Spain’s capital (transfer over 100 million euros), and led the Rojiblancos to the title again after seven years. Is also in the best collecting society with the reigning European champion with Cristiano Ronaldo, André and Bernardo Silva etc.
Kai Havertz (21, Germany)
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Have a good laugh: Kai Havertz and Ilkay Gündogan celebrate the victory against Latvia (7: 1)
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From the hole to the peek. Leverkusen’s ex-Finest turned on the turbo in terms of development and success. While the first season at Chelsea started rather poorly for the most expensive export to Germany with a transfer fee of 80 million euros, the turning point came with coach Thomas Tuchel. Similar to Chelsea’s centerpiece, Mason Mount, the 21-year-old (turns 22 on the day of the EM opening game) prefers to stick the ball to his foot. He’s a sure-footed passport, he’s agile, fast – and dangerous for goals. The highlight after a year on the island: The Champions League win against Manchester City, which he bagged with his goal. His most important career goal so far. Mister Geschmeidig also recently triumphed in the DFB-Elf – and should be in the starting line-up for the opening game against France, the possible starting signal for an unforgettable tournament. In any case, the field is cultivated.
Ferran Torres (21, Spain)
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Ferran Torres – a horror of Germany
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Ok, as a Spaniard, it is of course not easy at the moment. But if the Corona-stricken Iberians somehow get the tournament with their A-Eleven, one player could stand out. Ferran Torres. The 21-year-old offensive grenade came to Manchester City last summer as a replacement for Leroy Sané, who had migrated to Munich, and delighted not only coach guru Pep Guardiola with his speed, technical elegance, a strong right foot – and above all a very strong one right hoe. About a month ago he refined a free kick from Ilkay Gündogan in the 4-3 win in Newcastle with the same – dream goal, celebrated globally. In total, he met three times that evening. Just as often he stabbed in the historic debacle of the DFB-Elf in the Nations League against Spain. There is hardly a ball that he cannot accept and use.
Sasa Kalajdzic (23, Austria)
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2 meters tall and weighing less than 80 kilos: Sasa Kalajdzic.
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Viennese shameful and crazy goals: Sasa Kalajdzic played her way into the hearts of the fans of VfB Stuttgart last season. The two-meter slang fit in the Stuttgart storm like a Mozart ball on the tongue. After months of failure due to a serious knee injury (total loss with cruciate ligament, outer meniscus and inner ligament tear), he came back – and how! He scored and headed 16 goals for the Swabians. The Austrian is now benefiting from the corona-related shift in the euro. Due to his performances in the Bundesliga, he was nominated for the Austrian national team for the first time in October 2020. In the past few games he was allowed to play from the start. Coach Franco Foda may even let the double storm Kalajdzic and Marko Arnautovic off the leash. It won’t be easy for Kalajdzic and Co. against the Netherlands, Ukraine and North Macedonia in the preliminary group, but if he has proven one thing in 20/21, it will be that he can score goals from all situations. Sometimes the attacker had to laugh about it himself. “I thought: cool, eat it again,” he said after a goal against compatriot Martin Hinteregger.
Eljif Elmas (21, Northern Macedonia)
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Tongue out!
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Do you still remember Eljif Elmas? The German DFB defensive probably already. Less than three months ago, the 21-year-old North Macedonia shot sensationally to the acclaimed World Cup qualifying victory against the German team. The professional who earns his money at SSC Napoli is at home in the midfield and can be used in various areas. While he hardly makes it into the starting XI in Serie A, he is seeded in the North Macedonian team, mostly central. He has already scored seven goals and six assists in 27 games. This underlines: Elmas has already gained a lot of experience in the national jersey for his 21 years. The North Macedonian is a good dribbler with a street footballer mentality, he lives for the creative moments. His team will need them too. North Macedonia is at EM for the first time and is a clear underdog. The advantage: you have nothing to lose. Like at the end of March against Germany. The outcome is known.
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