EURO 2016: STAR PLAYERS AND PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR GROUP A

The 24 teams which will be competing for the European championship crown in France have announced their 23-man squads for the tournament.

The biggest absentee in the tournament would be Germany’s Marco Reus who was ruled out of the tournament through a groin injury.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder is set to miss his third international tournament after being left out of Germany’s squad for the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil through injuries sustained before both tournaments began.

Below are players which are likely to have a major impact in the tournament for their teams for group A.

Group A features hosts and title favourite France, Romania, Switzerland and Albania.

FRANCE

Star Player: Paul Pogba

Arguably the best box-to-box midfielder, the 23-year old French international will be carrying Les Bleus chances of lifting the crown on home soil. Pogba has been linked with a move away from Turin with English giants Chelsea and Manchester city showing interest.

Player to Watch: Anthony Martial

The 20-year Manchester United striker had a brilliant campaign in his first season at Old Trafford after a shocking move of £36 million from Monaco at the beginning of the season. The Frenchman scored 17 goals this season and provided five assists.

ROMANIA

Star Player: Vlad Chiriches

Vlad Chiriches is probably the most experienced footballer in the Romanian squad. The 26-year old defender currently plays for S.S.C Napoli in Italy and had a brief spell in England with Tottenham Hotspurs under Tim Sherwood and Andre Villas-Boas.

Player to Watch: Nicolae Stanciu

The 23-year old Steaua Bucharest midfielder made his international debut in March and has scored three goals for his country in four appearances.

SWITZERLAND

Star Player: Stephan Lichtsteiner

Stephen Lichtsteiner is a veteran defender for the Swiss national team. The 32-year right back is nicknamed “The swiss express” and “Forrest gump”. Lichtsteiner has been a full international for Switzerland for 10 years. He has represented his country for 80 times and scored five goals in the process.

Player to Watch: Granit Xhaka

Xhaka is an attacking midfielder who was recently signed by Arsenal from Borussia Monchengladbach. The 23-year old left-footed winger represented the Swiss national team in the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil.

ALBANIA

Star Player: Etrit Berisha

Berisha (27) plays as a goalkeeper for Lazio in Italy. He is known for his perfect penalty taking abilities. Berisha has made 33 appearances for Albania since making his debut in 2012. He has represented Lazio 33 times since joining the club in 2013.

Player to Watch: Frederic Veseli

Veseli is a 23-year old defender who had a brief 18 months spell with English football giants, Manchester United, and Manchester city. He failed to break into in the starting 11 for both teams. Vaseli currently plays for Swiss Super League side Lugano. He will be hoping this will be a perfect opportunity for him to secure a move to one of five Europe’s big leagues