EURO 2008 INFO

While the European Championships might not be the ideal place for Europe's top managers to go bargain hunting, what with all the big-name players on show, there are still plenty of undiscovered talents that have emerged at Euro 2008, ready to make the step to the next level...

Which players could be making the move to your side this summer?  Here are some suggestions, we, at goal.com, think could represent quality players available at the lower end of the price scale.  

The purpose of the article is to try and identify which players could be capable of moving to a top European league, without generating a huge transfer fee. Therefore we left out the like of Arshavin, Zhirkov as they won’t go for anything less than 10 million.  The same could be said for Schweinsteiger, Podolski and David Villa, who could move from one top league to another.

Furthermore the like of Korkmaz and Modric, who both excelled at the tournament, have already agreed moves prior to Euro 2008 getting underway, so there is no further potential from this article’s perspective.

Arda Turan – Galatasary & Turkey

The 21-year-old has been one of the shining lights for Turkey at Euro 2008.  The excellent run that Turkey enjoyed was kick started by the arrival of Arda Turan, when he was started in the second game against hosts Switzerland.

The nippy left winger initially struggled to get into that game but his late long range drive after a cute run cutting in from the flank set up the Turkey qualification at Switzerland’s expense and he has continued to impress during the tournament.  A goal in the final group match against the Czechs helped confirm qualification and, simultaneously, Arda Turan as one of the hottest properties at the tournament.

The Galatasary player was a key part of the Championship winning side as Cimbom wrested away the Turkish title from their perennial rivals Fenerbahce.  His small frame (1.76 or 5”9) and his potent left foot immediately drew inevitable comparisons with one-time Galatasary legend Gheorghe Hagi.  Turan prefers a wider role than the Romanian, but his confidence on the ball and willingness to take players on is certainly reminiscent of the great man.   

With 19 full international caps to his name, the youngster has already caught the eye of national coach Faith Terim.  Galatasary, sensing interest growing in the player, tied him down to a long term contract signed the same day he made an appearance in a friendly against Sweden earlier this year for Turkey.  The contract will officially keep him in Istanbul until 2012, but with interest already mounting in the player from the like of AC Milan, as well as Premiership clubs, the question is more when, rather than if Turan will move on.   

Daniel Pranjic – Heerenveen & Croatia

The Croat left wing-back has been one of the revelations of the tournament.  One of the least well-known players in the Croat squad of 23 named by Slaven Bilic, Pranjic has certainly generated plenty of attention with his runs up and down the left flank, as well as his defensive reliability.   

Playing at one of Europe’s greatest nurseries, SC Heerenveen of Holland, Pranjic has been a revelation since scoring on his debut in 2005.  Playing at the same club that has also developed the like of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Klaas Jan Huntelaar, Petter Hansson and Alfonso Alves, Pranjic is another one of the long line of talents that have passed through the Abe Lenstra Stadion.  

Pranjic was a relatively late starter at international level not playing a full 90 minutes until this March aged 26. Nevertheless, Bilic’s faith in the player was justified when his crosses proved instrumental in goals against both Germany and Poland in the group stages at Euro 2008.

His presence on the left wing allowed Ivan Rakitic to drift in field to great effect at times, especially against Germany, and his ability to deliver telling crosses will have got plenty of managers excited across the continent.   

Several Premiership managers have already shown an interest in the player, whilst Palermo from Italy are thought to have already made their intent to sign the player clear.  This season Pranjic managed 10 goals in 41 appearances for Heerenveen, playing often as an out and out attacker.  Standing at just 1.72 (5'9"), his playing in the Premiership as a defender is unlikely to be an option, although Patrice Evra at Manchester United has shown that it can be done.  Pranjic’s attacking output this season in the Eredivisie, plus his attacking contributions in the Croat shirt, indicate he is more suited to an attacking role, but the sort of winger that can be relied upon to help out defensively as well. In other words, he's versatile.

Orlando Engelaar – FC Twente & The Netherlands

Engelaar proved to be one of the revelations of the tournament at the heart of the Dutch midfield, and was one of only two Dutch players to start all 4 games for Marco van Basten.  The FC Twente midfielder was rewarded for a fine season at the heart of the FC Twente midfield with a call-up to the national squad.  The 27 year old was captain of the provincial Dutch side that stunned both friend and foe when they beat Ajax to the second Champions League spot, with Engelaar playing a captains role in the midfield.   

His excellent form continued for Oranje at Euro 2008 slotting in alongside Nigel de Jong in a defensive midfield position.  Engelaar’s thoughtful passing was a key element of the Dutch win in their opening match against Italy, and he also helped to stifle the creativity of Andrea Pirlo, his direct opponent.

His form at Euro 2008 has sparked a wave of interest in the player, with several clubs thought to be interested in acquiring the midfielder.  Steve McLaren, new FC Twente boss, will have his work cut-out retaining the services of the club’s most influential player, with German side FC Schalke nearest to making a move for the player.  Everton have also shown an interest in Engelaar as a replacement for the departed Lee Carlsey and his physical approach, allied with his range of passing would make him an ideal candidate for any Premiership midfield.

Dorin Goian – Steaua Bucharest & Romania

One of the rocks at the heart of the Romanian defence, Goian was solid at centre-back against both France and Italy.  Despite blotting his copybook with a soft booking, which ruled him out of the match against The Netherlands, the tall centre-back has certainly done enough to add to the numerous clubs already interested in signing him.   

At just under 2 metres Goian is comfortable in the air and a threat from set pieces, as the Dutch found out in qualifying, when his header was firmly planted past van der Sar in a 1-0 win in Bucharest.   

Even before Euro 2008 there was already plenty of interest in Goian, most notably from England and Germany: the likes of Manchester City, Middlesbrough and Borussia Dortmund were all looking at the player.  He was one of the key players in Steaua’s run to the UEFA Cup semi final in 2005 and he has also looked impressive in the Champions League in the last two seasons.   

His composed and steady defending at Euro 2008 has since attracted the interest of several more clubs including Aston Villa, Newcastle and Werder Bremen.  After spending the last 4 seasons with Romania’s most successful club, a move from Steaua in the summer would come as no surprise.   

A fee of around £5 million has been mooted by various sources, and for such a strong defender this would be a bargain

Libor Sionko – FC Copenhagen & Czech Republic

Whilst the name of Sionko will be for ever tarnished in the memory of Rangers’ fans after his poor spell at Ibrox, the Czech ringer winger Libor Sionko showed himself capable of outstanding contributions.  The 31 year old might not be in the first flushes of youth anymore, but his exciting runs down the right wing showed that he certainly has plenty to offer any suitor.   

Synonymous with the disastrous reign of Paul le Guen, after the former Lyon manager brought him to Scotland from Austrian football, Sionko gave a glimpse of what he could do when he scored on his debut.  However, his time in Scotland was blighted with injuries and a loss of form, but a move to the Danish Superligaen last summer has suited him better.   

In an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Czechs, Sionko was one of the few bright points as his darting runs into the box and crosses caused problems for all opposition sides.  His goal against Portugal drew the Czechs level and it was tough on Sionko that it counted for little.  Although he struggled to get into the match against Turkey, after Hakan Balta reigned him in, he was widely held to be the best Czech performer at the tournament.   

After showing that he can still make a difference at the European Championships despite playing in a relatively mediocre team, interest could increase in taking Sionko on.  Although officially Sionko is committed to continuing with FC Copenhagen, were the right offer to come along, the Danish side could yet be tempted in to selling him.

Giorgio Chiellini – Juventus & Italy

While most of the other players at the tournament ply their trade in some of Europe’s lesser followed leagues, Chiellini has been with Juventus in Serie A this season.  By no means an unknown player, Chiellini was told prior to the tournament that he could leave Juventus.  

Indeed he was even offered to Palermo in an effort into tempting them into selling their star striker Amauri.  Although, since Chiellini and Juventus have sat down for contract talks, Juventus may still be open to an offer for the defender and it would be no surprise to see him move on.   

Primarily known as a left back, Chiellini attracted some interest from the Premiership last summer, certainly from Manchester City and possibly others too.  However, his level of performance at centre-back, after being switched there after the concession of three goals to the Dutch in the first game, will have aroused the interest of many sides.  Italy conceded just one further goal in open play in the next three games with Chiellini playing at the heart of defence, so his impact was certainly clear for all to see.

Comfortable on the ball, as well as an efficient tackler, Chiellini’s composed defending alongside veteran Panucchi (who was also moved from the right into the middle in the wake of the 3-0 defeat to the Netherlands) will have been noted.   

Ivan Klasnic – Unattached & Croatia

The former Werder Bremen striker showed that he is beginning to recapture the form that saw him knock in 15 goals just three seasons ago for his previous side.  Health problems have forced him onto the sidelines over the course of the last 2 seasons, and it has only been in the last 3/4 months that he has been able to recover full match fitness.   

When given the chance to play for Werder he has done well, but despite scoring 7 goals towards the end of this season in Germany, was surprisingly told he had no future at the Weserstadion.

The two goals that Klasnic managed against Poland and Turkey have shown that he can certainly be relied upon to find the back of the net and he has already been linked to several European sides including Wigan, Osasuna and other German teams.   

The goals at Euro 2008 could make him one of the hottest properties in European football especially given his current unattached status.

The Rest

There are of course other players, outside of the ones we have listed here who will move onto other clubs as a result of their European performances, but may command bigger fees such as Andrei Arshavin of Russia or Joao Moutinho.  They were both being linked with moves to the like of Marseille in Arshavin’s case and Manchester United in Moutinho’s case before the tournament started and nothing has changed in that respect.

But away from the big buys are players just like the above who could emulate the more prestigious names. There could even be some more obscure names that we didn't mention here. Goal.com invites you to share your thoughts on any and all of the rising stars of Euro 2008...