After a tough and gruelling season in the Premier League, some of Leeds United players will have the honour of representing their national teams at Euro 2020. The Whites, who finished 9th on their return to the Premier League, finished the season on a high and the players will hope to take the good form into the Euros.
A few of Leeds’ top players will play for their national sides in the Euros. Let’s take a look at the top 5 Leeds United stars to watch out for in Euro 2020:
Ezgjan Alioski
Leeds United left-back Ezgjan Alioski is an important player for his national side, North Macedonia. The 29-year-old is a key attacking force for his national team, bombing forward from left-back or left wing-back for his side. Alioski, in his 42 appearances, has scored 7 goals and provided 12 assists for North Macedonia.
North Macedonia has a tough task to get out of their group with Netherlands, Austria, and Ukraine in Group C.
Liam Cooper
The Whites’ captain Liam Cooper could be a part of the Scotland backline at Euro 2020. Cooper could be one of three defenders in the defence and he will have a lot of defending to do with England, Croatia and Czech Republic in their group.
Cooper, who had a stop-start season with Leeds, will hope to remain fit for the entirety of Euro 2020. The 29-year-old has made just five appearances for his national team, but could be a starter in their first game against Czech Republic thanks to his good form over the last two years.
Mateusz Klich
Another player who could be a vital player for his national team at Euro 2020 is midfielder Mateusz Klich. Klich missed the international fixtures in March after testing positive for COVID-19. But, he could be in the running to be a part of the Polish midfield as a starter or come on as a substitute.
Klich, who has 31 caps for his national side, could feature if manager Paulo Sousa decides to play a single striker, i.e. Robert Lewandowski. The Whites midfielder could play behind the Bayern Munich ace, and use his energy and dribbling ability to link midfield and attack.
Diego Llorente
Spain will have a big hole in defence due to the absence of star defender Sergio Ramos. Diego Llorente had a decent end to his first season with the Whites and the former Real Sociedad and Real Madrid defender could maybe get an opportunity at Euro 2020.
Pau Torres, youngster Eric Garcia, and new Spain call-up Aymeric Laporte are the other options for manager Luis Enrique. Llorente could be used in rotation, especially against relatively easier teams like Lithuania if the need arises.
Kalvin Phillips
Like Llorente, English midfielder Kalvin Phillips could get an opportunity if a starting player is given a rest. Phillips has to compete with Declan Rice – who seems to be Gareth Southgate’s first-choice defensive midfielder – as well as teenager Jude Bellingham, and Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson.
Phillips could perhaps get an opportunity if Rice and Henderson are both injured or suspended, to be used in the anchor role in midfield.