Why the Euro performances matter for club football

During and after every major international tournament there are many moves of players between clubs, and it would seem that many tournament performances serve to reawaken interest from major clubs, not least of which is the Premier League. It’s how Manchester United got Paul Pogba back – he starred in the 2016 Euros and subsequently became the club’s biggest signing.

The movement of players after the big tournaments

So, the 2020 Euros are at an end, and it’s interesting to see who the major movers and shakers have been.

• Raphael Varane was having a stunning Euro soccer tournament until he came up against Switzerland. Now though, he is close to completing a move to Manchester United and some say that his performances against Germany and Portugal sealed the deal.

• Memphis Depay has joined Barcelona on a free transfer, and the Catalans see big things from him. The performances that he has put in at the group stages of Euro 2020 had the Spanish press noting what a good deal this looks like for Barca and Spanish football as a whole.

• Axel Witsel had not played for a while in the Bundesliga, and now having had a game or two, the rumour mill has him moving out of Germany to one of the Spanish giants. It is probably Real, as Barcelona’s midfield is already jam-packed. His German team may not like it, but he has shone for his country and sparked interest in the player that his agent will surely take seriously.

• Mikkel Damsgaard, the 20-year-old playing at Sampdoria and who has scored two magic goals for Denmark, is a hot item, and it would seem a bit of an unknown. The Sampdoria owners are in a great spot, and there are hints in the news that he will, like Dennis Bergkamp before him, make a move into the Premier League and supposedly with Bergkamp’s alma mater, the Gunners. North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur have also shown an interest, as have Leeds United and AS Roma.

• Italy’s Manuel Locatelli is more than likely to start next season playing for the Bianconeri. He is a player who many had thought was past his best, and yes, he was reliable, but not great. He has proven many people wrong, and a big money transfer looks to be on the cards to Juventus, although a few other Premier League clubs, most notably Arsenal, have also noted interest.

• Evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo set the rumour mill going the moment he scored the first goal; he is his spritely self and showed the same ability to control a game and the special touches to change games in his favor. This one has been going for a while, but his performances have set tongues wagging that he should make an unexpected return to his starting point, and a few titles for Manchester United would be the cherry on top of a career from the footballing gods.

All major soccer tournaments make for great watching, and the entertainment is fantastic, but these tournaments are also the best stages for players to either cement themselves at the top or make a move into the top echelons of football. The same will happen across the world, where Copa America will also be sure to have released some new talent onto the global stage

Why the Euro performances matter for club football