Euro 2020: 5 players who could be X-factors in the knockout stages

Phil Foden could be a key player for England in the knockout stages of Euro 2020
Phil Foden could be a key player for England in the knockout stages of Euro 2020

#3 Jamal Musiala | Germany, Bayern Munich

Germany v Hungary - UEFA Euro 2020: Group F
Germany v Hungary - UEFA Euro 2020: Group F

At Euro 2020, there have already been a few wonderful stories, but Jamal Musiala's journey has been an intriguing subplot of Germany's campaign. The teenage sensation had the chance to play for England and could have come under consideration to be named in Gareth Southgate's squad, but he chose to represent Germany and it has proved to be the right call.

He's absolutely fearless on the ball and has bags of natural talent, he's in that mode as a young player. From an opposition perspective, there will be very little information on him, as he has only just burst onto the scene for Bayern Munich and Germany. If you're preparing against a lesser-known player, it's honestly a bit frightening as you never quite know what to expect from them.

Coming to his performance against Hungary, he was outstanding after coming on as a substitute, as he created the opening for Leon Goretzka's goal with a brilliant piece of play. As a young player, he is really exciting to watch and could play a big role at Euro 2020, depending on how far Germany go in the competition.

England will have long conversations about him, with players like Jude Bellingham and Jadon Sancho aware of what he's capable of as they are currently plying their trades in the Bundesliga. That is the beauty of having players across different leagues in a national team set-up, so England need to be up to speed with what he could potentially do. Musiala is a dangerous player who could cause some serious damage, the fact that Joachim Low threw him on as a substitute when he needed a result against Hungary shows he trusts him.

We know a lot about the rest of the German side, but Musiala could well be their X-factor at the business end of Euro 2020.


#2 Antoine Griezmann | France, Barcelona

Portugal v France - UEFA Euro 2020: Group F
Portugal v France - UEFA Euro 2020: Group F

Antoine Griezmann needs no introduction. He is a World Cup winner with France and has performed admirably so far, but you just get the feeling that he's saving his best for the knockout stages of Euro 2020. He has played well within himself, but I'm hoping to see a different Griezmann - someone who can take the game by the scruff of the neck with a match-winning pass or score a stunner from 25 yards out.

He's got so much talent, I've loved watching him play at Euro 2020. He combines really well in attack with Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann and also helps out defensively, indicating that he's one of the biggest team players around despite his superstar status.

He has a superior goal per game ratio than Mbappe for France and has been a key player for Didier Deschamps over the years, having played a pivotal role in their FIFA World Cup triumph in 2018 and also winning the Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2016.

Griezmann doesn't feel the need to be France's best player, he is more than happy to be a team player and let the other players get the plaudits. He's been good so far, but there's a bit more to come from him and France. They've had a sense of vulnerability about them, but I think they will take their game up a notch in the knockout stages of Euro 2020.


#1 Phil Foden | England, Manchester City

England v Scotland - UEFA Euro 2020: Group D
England v Scotland - UEFA Euro 2020: Group D

Phil Foden is another player who could hit new heights in the knockout stages of Euro 2020. I've watched him play a lot over the past 12 months and this young man is a magnificent player. When he's in his happy place, he plays football like he's having a kickaround with his mates on a five-a-side pitch!

I remember his performance against Paris Saint-Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinal last season. In the second half, he picked up the ball, rolled two PSG midfielders and calmly passed the ball out wide - that moment changed my perception of him. He was a different player from that moment, he needed that to give him the confidence. I'm waiting for him to have that moment at Euro 2020 and if that happens, my confidence in England winning the tournament gets tripled.

Similarly, he came on as a second-half substitute against West Ham United in the Premier League and changed the game for Manchester City. He turned the game on its head and that was another important moment in his career, in my opinion. As I mentioned about Federico Chiesa earlier, he's got that childlike innocence about him. Some of the more experienced players tend to show rehearsed reactions in adverse situations, but the younger ones like Foden can't help but express their feelings candidly.

He is a fantastic talent coming on the back of his best-ever season as a professional footballer, so he could play a big role for England in the games ahead at Euro 2020.


Also Read: Jim Beglin column - 5 young players who could become household names after Euro 2020

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