Thursday 26 March 2015 10:04, UK
There is a feast of international football on Sky Sports this weekend as the European Qualifiers return. On view will be a number of the continent's finest young players - many linked with moves to the Premier League.
We take a look at five of the future stars you can see in action...
Jetro Willems - 20, PSV & Netherlands, left-back
Netherlands v Turkey, 7.30pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 5 HD
The youngest player ever to feature at a European Championships, Jetro Willems was linked with Manchester City before signing a long-term deal with PSV in 2013. Since then, the left-back has continued to hone his reputation as one of the most promising prospects in European football.
Willems – who represented the Netherlands as an 18-year-old at Euro 2012 – missed out on the 2014 World Cup squad due to a knee injury, but has bounced back this season to play a key role in PSV’s title charge in the Eredivisie.
The defender made headlines last month when he was controversially sent off just 29 seconds into PSV’s match with NAC – the fastest red card in Eredivisie history.
Marco Verratti - 22, PSG & Italy, central midfield
Bulgaria v Italy, 7.45pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 5 – Red Button
Chelsea fans will be familiar with Marco Verratti after the Italian midfielder helped PSG knock the Londoners out of the Champions League this month – and the Blues players knew just what to expect from the talented Italian. “I think Verratti is an exceptional talent. He reminds me a bit of Xavi,” said Cesc Fabregas ahead of the second leg.
Verratti made his pro debut as a 16-year-old for then-Serie B side Pescara, before joining PSG in the summer of 2012. His international debut came against England that year and he played a leading role as Italy defeated Roy Hodgson’s men at the World Cup in 2014.
His strike against Barcelona in the Champions League earlier this season demonstrated his aptitude for delivering on the big occasion and five assists from a deep-lying midfield position in Ligue 1 this term highlights his creative spark. Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal have all been linked with a move for him.
Koke - 23, Atletico Madrid & Spain, central midfield
Spain v Ukraine, 7pm, Friday, Sky Sports 5 HD
Spain are currently blessed with an abundance of midfield talent but Koke – who is a key lynchpin in the middle of the park for La Liga title-holders Atletico Madrid – could become one of the world’s best playmakers.
“From a football point of view, Koke is possibly one of the midfielders that reads the game best, especially because he can play different positions in the midfield,” said Atletico boss Diego Simeone recently. “With a 360-degree vision that is great always, he always thinks in ways that help us control the offense. When he plays his best, he allows us to have a more dynamic game, not because of his body's speed, but because of his mental speed.”
Koke picked up a La Liga winners’ medal last season and was seconds away from Champions League glory, however his success in Spain has led to reports Chelsea and Manchester City could be lining up a move for the international. Four assists and two goals in seven Champions League games this season is an impressive return, and the former U21 European Championship winner will be one to keep a close eye on this week.
Kevin de Bruyne - 23, Wolfsburg & Belgium, attacking midfield
Belgium v Cyprus, 7.45pm, Saturday, Sky Sports 5 - Red Button
Sold by Chelsea in January 2012 after making just three first-team appearances, De Bruyne has proved a hit in the Bundesliga this season with a remarkable 16 assists for Wolfsburg – the same number Cesc Fabregas has managed for the Blues.
The Belgian cost Wolfsburg £18m but, with the club second in the league behind Bayern Munich, coach Dieter Hecking is delighted with the purchase. “De Bruyne makes the difference,” he said. “He wants to play, score goals and set them up. He also wants to win and that's precisely the sort of player you need if you want to go a long way in all competitions."
The midfielder’s form will no doubt have caught the attention of Premier League managers but De Bruyne said recently he “lost his joy” at Chelsea.
Karim Bellarabi - 24, Bayer Leverkusen & Germany, winger
Georgia v Germany, Sunday, 5pm, Sky Sports 5 – Red Button
It’s been quite a season for Karim Bellarabi. Just nine seconds into it, the Bayer Leverkusen man kicked it off with the fastest goal in Bundesliga history to silence the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund. Five months on, the right-sided attacking midfielder is a Germany international being linked with a summer switch to Arsenal or Manchester United.
The 24-year-old has 11 goals in 26 appearances in the Bundesliga this season and the tricky dribbler has a chance to showcase his talents on the international stage once again this week, when Germany travel to Georgia looking to keep the pressure on Group D leaders Poland.
Older than the other selections in this list, Bellarabi has come of age this term. “I knew this season would be important. I decided to attack it with everything. You only get so many chances in life,” he said. “Something's clicked for him. He's embraced our game plan and is now working for the team,” explained Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt. “He's always had great pace and dribbling ability. But now he also uses that pace when he doesn't have the ball. He's now becoming a team player.”
