We are getting ever closer to the start of Euro 2024, the continental event for the national teams which will see Luciano Spalletti’s Italy at the forefront in trying to defend the title won at Euro 2020. Certainly not an easy undertaking, although, obviously , as reigning European Champions, Italy will do everything to deserve respect and consideration.
Beyond the national teams involved in the event, there will be many players to keep an eye on as, just after the European Championships, they could become prized pieces in the international transfer market. Young people ready for anything but also already established champions waiting for an imminent leap in quality.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Certainly one of the most anticipated footballers is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a Georgian phenomenon who dragged his national team to their first historic participation in the European Championships. Kvaratskhelia comes from a good season on a personal level but decidedly insufficient from a team point of view, with Napoli proving to be one of the worst reigning Italian Champions clubs on a statistical level, in a year marked by many errors of judgment and a bit of bad luck.
Kvaratskhelia is Georgia’s star and has spectacular football: he is an offensive winger capable of aiming and jumping man, as well as truly remarkable ballistics. The typical player who, alone, can rock a game. At the moment the Georgian is followed in particular by Barcelona and PSG but it is not certain that the Premier League will decide to remain silent about it. If his stay in Naples seemed almost a given in recent months, at least for now – with a contract yet to be renewed and many technical uncertainties – everything still seems in the balance.
Georgiy Sudakov
Ukraine also qualified for the European Championships via the playoffs, after finishing in the groups behind Italy. One of the most interesting players who will be part of the squad is Georgiy Sudakov, attacking midfielder of Shakhtar Donetsk, considered one of the brightest Ukrainian talents of the last decade.
Sudakov was followed by Napoli in January, as well as Juventus. His club demands no less than 40 million to let him leave but the suspicion is that, in the case of the boy’s European Championships at the highest level, the price of his price tag could increase dramatically, making it more feasible for the rich Premier League clubs than for those of the other championships.
Federico Chiesa
For years indicated as one of the strongest Italian footballers with the greatest prospects, Federico Chiesa has certainly demonstrated all his qualities but has also been held back, very often, by the more or less serious injuries he has suffered. Reigning European champion with Italy and waiting for a possible confirmation of the title, even if second the winning odds for euro 2024 the Azzurri are currently not in the top positions as far as favorites for the cup are concerned, Chiesa only has one year left on his contract with Juventus and will have to understand how to manage his future.
In the event of a change in the technical leadership of the Bianconeri, the son of art could also stay. But there are still many market rumors about him, so much so that not only in Italy (Rome and Naples) but also abroad (the usual Premier League clubs, especially Arsenal) the esteem towards offensive winger is full-blown.
Arthur Dovbyk
Perhaps one of the best surprises of this season, LaLiga top scorer Artur Dovbyk, who led Girona to qualification for the next Champions League, also coming close to potentially triumphing in the Spanish championship, will defend the colors of his Ukraine like Sudakov. And, like his colleague, he is a real prized piece of the European transfer market.
At the moment, mainly two teams are interested in him: Napoli, who will most likely have to replace the departing Victor Osimhen, as well as Atletico Madrid, who are looking for another top striker to reinforce Simeone’s department.
Benjamin Sesko
Surprising Slovenia has qualified for Euro 2024 also thanks to striker Benjamin Sesko. Leipzig’s centre-forward, Sesko has positioned himself as one of the best young players around not only in the Bundesliga but in the entire European football scene.
Milan have been following him for many months now and would like him instead of Olivier Giroud. On his trail, however, there are also two clubs with enormous financial resources such as PSG and Chelsea.