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The Euro 2020 saw 14 Manchester City players selected to represent seven different nations. After enduring a glorious premier league campaign, Manchester City was beaten by Chelsea in the champions league final. England and Spain individually had the highest number of players selected for the tournament.
Luckily the two teams are still in the tournament and have chances of proceeding further. There were different categories of players in the contest; some were star men in their teams like Raheem Sterling alongside Kane. Some had a point to prove, like Ferran Torres, and others played a different role in the national team, such as Zincheko.
Before we get to the players, don’t forget cybersecurity if you’re watching the games at home. Using a VPN UK can be a great way to secure your connection and keep personal data encrypted.
Now, let’s take a look at seven of the best performers of the Euro 2020 so far! Let's get started;
Oleksandr Zincheko
Manchester City has always had problems at the left-back position for the better part of Guardiola's tenure, but things have improved with Zinchenko. He is nicknamed "baby De Bruyne'' after his senior teammate Kevin De Bruyne because of his passing abilities. Given that this is not his natural position, Zincheko has proved pivotal for Guardiola, especially on big occasions.
While in the national team, Zincheko plays naturally as an attacking midfielder and has been vital in Ukraine's Euro campaign. Andrei Shevchenko, Ukraine national team head coach, capitalizes on Zinchenko's steely nature defensively, great energy, and passing ability to influence games.
Despite losing two games in the group stages, Ukraine is in the quarter-finals, and Zinchenko has played different roles in all four games. He played behind the two strikers in the round of 16 match against Sweden, scoring one and assisting another to propel his team to the quarter-finals.
Although they face tough opposition, England, in the quarter-finals, Ukraine is happy for the far they have come. Zincheko will undoubtedly head back to Etihad head high.
Raheem Sterling
Raheem Sterling is one the best wingers the premier league has had so far and continues to impress. His performance at the club level is also reflected in the national team, making him almost un-droppable. However, Sterling endured a low second half of last season, losing his place to young national teammate Phil Foden.
Despite registering the lowest goal tally for the club since the 2016/2017 season, sterling has had an outstanding tournament so far. Gareth Southgate, England national team head coach, decided to maintain his belief in Sterling, and he has undoubtedly performed well.
Sterling scored the only goal in their group opener against a solid Croatia team. He also scored the only goal in the final group game against the Czech Republic. After scoring again against a creative Germany team to proceed into the quarter-finals, it is evident that Sterling is a crucial player in decisive games. As they head into the quarter-finals against Ukraine, Sterling is likely to perform even better.
Ferran Torres
The young Spanish winger endured an excellent debut season with the city. During that maiden campaign, Ferran scored 13 goals despite getting most of his chances from the bench. He played in all positions across the front three, and that has also been reflected in the Spain squad for the Euro 2020.
Luis Enrique, the Spain head coach, is a fan of young talents, as seen in the squad selected for the Euro games. Because of Luis's experience, the likes of Ferran were likely to shine, which has been the case so far.
Starting in the first game against Sweden at the right side in a front three, Ferran was dropped in the consecutive games but impacted from the bench. For example, he came off the bench in the final group game against Slovakia and scored. Despite impressing in that game, Ferran did not start in the round of 16 match against Croatia but also came off the bench to score one and assist another. Heading into the quarter-finals against Switzerland, Ferran is likely to continue performing well, impacting his city career.
Kevin De Bruyne
KDB is a back-to-back Professional Footballers Association (PFA) player of the year and is an essential player in any team. He endured a successful campaign with Manchester City winning the premier league but failed to win the champions league. He sustained an orbital bone fracture that kept him out during the first Belgium game against Russia.
The Belgium national team coach, Roberto Martinez, relies on KDB's ability to pass in between tight spaces to find Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard. He came off the bench to score one and assist another in their second group game against Denmark.
After impressing from the bench, KDB started in the final group game against Finland and assisted. Despite sustaining another injury in a highly competitive against Portugal in the round of 16, KDB is expected to play the quarter-finals game against Italy.
Aymeric Laporte
Aymeric Laporte is another Manchester City player playing for the Spanish side after switching allegiance from France to Spain recently. Despite being seen as a regular starter for Guardiola's defense two seasons ago, Laporte has fallen behind in the pecking order after the arrival of Ruben Dias.
Even when he impressed at club level, he still had difficulties making it in the French squad full of talents. But after switching to Spain, and given that Sergio Ramos is not available, Laporte has started all the games in Euro 2020 and played full time.
So far, Laporte has been a regular starter in the Spanish team lining up alongside either Pau Torres or Eric Garcia. Generally, he has endured a successful campaign under Luis Enrique, even going ahead to score against Slovakia.
As they head into the quarter-finals, he is likely to impress. After the tournament, Laporte is among Manchester City players who will head to Etihad in good spirits.
Kyle Walker
Kyle Walker endured a successful campaign with Manchester City despite facing competition from Joao Cancelo. He managed to convince Guardiola and earned more starts during the final stretch of the season. The performance and great pace he possesses earned him a spot in Southgate's squad, where he has continued to excel.
Despite the stiff competition from Kieran Trippier and Reece James, who play in the same position, Walker has started three of the four games in Euro 2020. England will face Ukraine in the quarter-finals, and Walker is expected to continue excelling.
Rodri
Rodri is another Manchester City player who endured a successful campaign as a central defending midfielder until the Champions League final when Guardiola decided to omit him. He is a talented midfielder who can read the game and make decisive passes in between tight spaces.
It was to the benefit of Rodri when legend and captain Sergio Busquets tested positive for Covid-19 a few days before the tournament. He has played in three of the four games in the tournament, starting two of those. Spain heads into the quarter-finals against Switzerland, and Rodri is poised to continue shining in the midfield role.
Conclusion
Manchester City is one of the best premier league teams so far with a talented group. Most of the players are young and are likely to represent their national team for an extended period. Even after most of them have left the tournament earlier than expected, many city talented players are involved in the quarter-finals and are likely to do well.