Three Players Of Nigerian Descent Tipped To Shine At Euro 2016

Allnigeriasoccer.com profiles three players of Nigerian descent that will feature at the 2016 European Championship holding in France from 10 June to 10 July 2016.

Ross Barkley

Ross Barkley is not expected to be one of the regular starters for England at the forthcoming European championship (Euro 2016), but he will be available nonetheless should the need arise.

He endured a poor season with Everton and could easily have missed out on the final squad to France.

But that notwithstanding, the 22-year old is a huge talent and can be an immense impact player or even match winner for the Three Lions this summer.

He played all of Everton’s 38 Premier League games this past season scoring eight goals, and while he may be behind the likes of Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Jack Wilshere, in the pecking order, his blistering pace, energy and ability to shoot from outside the box will provide England with an alternate option to Alli, Dier and Wilshere.

Dele Alli

What a difference one year makes. This time last year, the 20-year old had just finished the season with MK Dons in League One, and fast-forward to one year later and he is a full England international and on the plane to the Euros on the back of a splendid debut season in the Premier League with Tottenham Hotsupur.

While he has more experienced internationals like Jordan Henderson, James Milner and possibly Wayne Rooney to battle with for a starting spot in the England midfield, Alli is arguably the best central midfielder in the Three Lions’ 23-man squad and unarguably had the most impressive season.

His composure, tenacity and eye for goal makes him a real option for Roy Hodgson and based on form, should be the first name in midfield on the team-sheet. Yes, he is that good.

David Alaba

He is arguably Austria’s most important player going into the Euros.

Despite being only 23, he is one of the leaders in the Austrian team and he has already played 45 games and has 11 goals to his name.

He will be influential to their chances of making any impression in France.

Despite being predominantly a left-back for Bayern Munich, Alaba plays often from the midfield for the Austrians and playing against Portugal, Hungary and Iceland in group F – a seemingly fair group – his contributions will go a long way in determining how well they perform.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : thefa.com