Euro 2020: Rising Stars – Denis Zakaria of Switzerland

As Euro 2020 gets underway, there will be lots of talent on display. Aside from the usual superstars, there will be a few young players who look to become the next generation to take over European football, and a few of them could even be on their way to the Premier League.

The 24-year-old midfielder, Denis Zakaria, fits just that bill and will be playing in his first international tournament for Switzerland.

The physical player started his career in his native Switzerland for Servette FC before making a move to the BSC Young Boys, where he really started to flourish.

In 2017, Zakaria made the move to German side Borussia Monchengladbach, becoming an integral part of the team and has since represented them in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

All English Premier League

Zakaria plays a more defensive role in midfield and has since made the role his own, using his size, at 6ft 4, and strength to tackle attackers off the ball.

In the 2020/21 Bundesliga season, Zakaria made 0.9 interceptions per 90, 1.2 clearances per 90 and 1.2 tackles per game.

In the Champions League that year, Zakaria upped his performances making 2.2 tackles per 90, showing the world that maybe he is ready for the step up.

The Swiss midfielder’s talents do not just lie in defence, Zakaria is an exceptional dribbler and very good for starting counter-attacks.

He makes 1 long dribble per 90 and passes the ball at 88% passing accuracy, so Zakaria can bring the ball forward after winning it, and he does not give the ball away often.

Zakaria will most likely be one of the first names on the team sheet for Switzerland should he stay fit. The central player will be on show for the world to see.

Should he put some good displays on, the links to Arsenal and Liverpool could soon become real and we could see him in the Premier League before we know it.

Look out for him in Group A alongside Wales, Italy, and Turkey.