Euro 2012 Preview: Five Players To Watch

Five Players To Watch

5.  Sebastion Giovinco - Italy - Forward

The 25-year-old Azzurri striker, who plays his club football for Parma, is a sensational young talent. After spending four years at Juventus, his 2010 transfer to Parma sparked his emergence on to the international level.  Nicknamed, Formica atomica (atom ant), for his small size and on ball technique, Giovinco will be a force for Italy and should be a regular in Cesare Prandelli's starting XI.

4.  Ivan Perisic - Croatia - Forward

Perisic has been hailed as the future of Croatian football.  The 22-year-old attacker has an eye for goal and the size (6'2) to play physical when needed.  He could be seen along side names such as Eduardo, Klasnic and Olic up front for Croatia. Watch for his talents to be used as a sub as well, potentially operating as winger or in an attacking midfield role.

3. Mario Gotze - Germany - Attacking Midfielder

Creative, skillful, dominate and young.  Gotze has all the tools to secure a spot in the already powerful German midfield, which includes the likes of Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Sami Khedira and Lucas Podolski.  After breaking into the Borussia Dortmund starting XI, he's begun the process of becoming a household name.

2.  Christian Eriksen - Denmark - Attacking Midfielder

The Ajax starlet will be "burning down the house" at the European Championship.  Eriksen is confident and shifty with the ball at his feat, while his vision is unmatched for those similar in skill at his age.  A target of Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham, all signs point towards a big money move this summer.  

1. Thomas Mueller - Germany - Forward

Muller and fellow forward Miroslav Klose 

Thomas Mueller made his presence felt during the 2011 World Cup. He was vital in Germany's success in reaching the semi-finals, and has since become the most influential piece of his nations attack.  Mueller is just 22 and already regarded as a world-class talent, having scored 10 goals in 25 caps for Die Mannschaft.  The future center piece of the German national team will have a large role to play as they go in search of their first European Championship since 1996.