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.
This article was written by Oliver Jones and is courtesy of our partner website thisisfutbol.com. Read the latest news and blogs about European Football at TiF. – ed
Follow us on twitter @live4Liverpool or like us on Facebook
Live4Liverpool is recruiting columnists. For further info contact the site editor at live4liverpool@snack-media.com
This week it is LFC WAG Michela Quattrociocche!
————–
CLICK ON THE IMAGE OR HERE TO GET TO THE GALLERY
