Euro 2024, Champions League, and World Cup Standouts Emerge
As the road to Euro 2024 heats up, a number of unexpected players have emerged as key figures in the lead-up to the tournament. While Jamal Musiala and Lamine Yamal remain unsurprising candidates for star status, several other names have caught the attention of football enthusiasts across Europe.
Marc Cucurella (Spain and Chelsea)
Following Chelsea’s post-Todd Boehly takeover spending spree, the Blues’ new signings have received mixed reviews. However, Spanish full-back Marc Cucurella has managed to work his way back into the national team setup. After a run of 12 consecutive Premier League starts, Cucurella earned positive reports in Spain’s recent clean sheet victories over Croatia and Italy, solidifying his position as Luis de la Fuente’s first-choice left-back. The Chelsea man’s resurgence has fueled his manager’s belief that La Roja is the “best in the world” heading into Euro 2024.
Remo Freuler (Switzerland and Bologna)
One of Nottingham Forest’s countless summer signings, Remo Freuler opted to join Serie A side Bologna on loan instead. The 32-year-old Swiss midfielder has proven vital to his national team’s setup alongside Granit Xhaka, and his performances have justified Switzerland’s status as Football365’s official Euro 2024 dark horses. With two assists in three games, Freuler has showcased a broader range to his game, ensuring Switzerland will be a tough adversary for most opponents in the knockout stages.
Niclas Fullkrug (Germany and Borussia Dortmund)
At 31 years old, Niclas Fullkrug has burst onto the scene later in his career, but his stellar form for Werder Bremen and now Borussia Dortmund has earned him a place in the German national team. The striker has scored 13 goals in 19 caps for Germany, challenging Arsenal’s Kai Havertz for a starting spot up front. Fullkrug’s brace off the bench in the group stages has kept the pressure on Havertz as Germany look to make a deep run at Euro 2024.
Marc Guehi (England and Crystal Palace)
Much of the pre-tournament discussion around England centered on concerns about Guehi being a potential weakness in Gareth Southgate’s defense. However, the Crystal Palace center-back has been a standout performer for the Three Lions so far, with Football365 predicting he could secure a post-Euro 2024 transfer. Guehi has been arguably England’s best player, as Southgate grapples with other issues in his starting lineup.
N’Golo Kante (France and Al-Ittihad)
Despite France’s stuttering start to the tournament, they have done enough to reach the knockout stages, largely thanks to the phenomenal performance of Al-Ittihad’s N’Golo Kante in their 1-0 win against Austria. The France international continues to prove he can cut it at the elite level, bucking the trend of players whose careers have been impacted by a move to the Saudi Pro League.
Dennis Man (Romania and Parma)
Romania have been one of the surprise packages at Euro 2024 so far, with Parma winger Dennis Man and Tottenham’s Radu Dragusin playing key roles. While Romania were unable to follow up their deserved 3-0 win over Ukraine with another positive result, Man, the joint-leading assister in Germany, has helped the Tricolours secure a spot in the knockout rounds.
Dan Ndoye (Switzerland and Bologna)
Ndoye, Freuler’s teammate at both international and club level, has emerged as one of the breakout stars at Euro 2024. The 23-year-old caused Germany no end of issues in Switzerland’s most recent outing, and England must be wary of the tenacious Swiss approach as a quarter-final matchup looms.
Pepe (Portugal and Porto)
While Euro 2024 has largely been a tournament for the young guns, with Spain’s starlets making them a team to beat, the old guard still have a part to play. At 41 years old, Pepe continues to be an integral figure in the heart of Portugal’s defense, as Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates have begun the tournament with two straight victories.
As the competition progresses, these unexpected standouts will look to continue making waves and potentially secure their place in the history books of Euro 2024, the Champions League, and the upcoming FIFA World Cup and Women’s World Cup.
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