The Under-21 European Championships begin on Friday – and Tottenham should be watching.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah vs Borussia Monchengladbach
With the league season over, the attention has turned to international football, with England picking up a 2-2 draw at Scotland before losing 3-2 to France on Tuesday night.
Now, it’s the turn of the England Under-21’s, as they feature in the Under-21 European Championships in Poland this summer, with their campaign kicking off against Sweden in Kielce on Friday night.
Aidy Boothroyd’s men will be hoping for success in Poland, but they will face stern competition from the likes of Spain, Germany, Italy and Portugal in the battle for the trophy.
The tournament will be a platform for many young players to put themselves in the shop window for the summer transfer window – and here are five talents Tottenham should keep an eye on in the competition…
Swansea City’s Leroy Fer in action with Leicester City’s Demarai Gray
Jonathan Tah, Germany
With Kevin Wimmer seemingly set to leave Tottenham this summer in search of first-team football, Spurs will need to look into the possibility of signing a new centre back. Germany’s Tah fits the bill, with the Bayer Leverkusen defender set to feature at the European Championships. Standing at more than 6ft 3in tall, Tah is a physically dominant centre back who left Hamburg in 2014, and would bring real power to the Tottenham defence, making him a player Mauricio Pochettino should keep an eye on.
Joao Cancelo, Portugal
Kyle Walker could also leave Spurs this summer, and whilst Kieran Trippier has proven himself as a more-than-able deputy, Tottenham could still move to sign another right back. Valencia ace Joao Cancelo has impressed in Spain since joining from Benfica in 2014, possessing real pace and versatility. Expected to start for Portugal, Cancelo has played all the way up the right flank for Valencia, and if Pochettino wants a replacement, Cancelo could be an option.
Demarai Gray, England
According to The Mirror, Tottenham are keen on signing Leicester winger Gray, who struggled to break into the Foxes side last season. Gray is a pacey wide man impressed in his limited playing time, and if Pochettino is looking for a speedy winger to mould and develop, then former Birmingham man Gray should be near the top of his radar – and he will be given a chance to shine in Poland.
Germany’s Max Meyer
Inaki Williams, Spain
Another pacey forward, Athletic Bilbao star Williams has the added bonus of being able to play up front, and he has caused mayhem in La Liga with his combination of speed and strength. Despite Spain having a number of attacking options, Williams should feature prominently in Poland this summer, and he fits the profile that Tottenham look for, possessing real potential – but Athletic certainly won’t want to sell on the cheap.
Max Meyer, Germany
Schalke ace Meyer has been linked with Spurs for some time now, and with his contract expiring in 2018, Schalke may be forced to sell this summer. The attacking midfielder didn’t have his best season last term, but he should feature for Germany at the Under-21 European Championships. This will give Tottenham another chance to look at Meyer and see whether his club form is carried into international football, or whether he can rediscover his best form for his country.
Who would you like to see Tottenham target at the Under-21 European Championships?
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