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Saturday, June 30, 2012

Robert Lewandowski (Poland)

Position: Striker

Country: Poland

Current club: Borussia Dortmund

Age: 23

Would suit: Lewandowski has been linked with Man Utd who are in the market for a striker with Michael Owen on his way out of Old Trafford, while Dimitar Berbatov’s future appears to be elsewhere. The striker’s physical strength and ability in the air suggest he could be a hit in the Premier League. After Didier Drogba’s exit, Chelsea are also in the hunt for a powerful striker to lead the line and Lewandowski is an option if they fail to sign Porto striker Hulk.

Did he enhance his value at Euro 2012?

Yes. Lewandowski came into the finals on the back of an outstanding season with Borussia Dortmund, and continued his fine form in the finals, scoring the first goal of the tournament against Greece.

Jakub Blaszczykowski (Poland)

Position: Midfielder

Country: Poland

Current club: Borussia Dortmund

Age: 26

Would suit: A hard-working, energetic midfielder, Blaszczykowski looks ideally suited to the Premier League. He normally plays on the right hand sight of midfield — a position where Liverpool have struggled in recent seasons. He could fit in well at Anfield or alternatively Tottenham given his final ball is more consistent than Aaron Lennon’s.

Did he enhance his value at Euro 2012?

It was Blaszczykowski’s glorious cross that Robert Lewandowski headed to the net for the opening goal of Euro 2012. In Poland’s next game, Blaszczykowski proved he can finish too as he fired home a thunderous equaliser against Russia. It was one of the tournament’s most memorable moments.

Alan Dzagoev (Russia)

Position: Attacking midfielder

Country: Russia

Current club: CSKA Moscow

Age: 22

Would suit: The Russian’s ability to score goals from midfield make him an attractive option. Arsenal are reported to be interested as Andrei Arshavin’s future is unclear while Gervinho failed to impress last season. Chelsea are in the process of rebuilding their squad and the player himself has indicated in the past a preference to join the Blues if he moves abroad.

Did he enhance his value at Euro 2012? His general play was average but his finishing was impressive. Both goals against the Czech Republic were taken emphatically while his effort against Poland showed that for a relatively diminutive player he’s a threat in the air. Not a finished product but a very exciting player.

Jetro Willems (Netherlands)

Position: Left-back

Country: Netherlands

Current club: PSV Eindhoven

Age: 18

Would suit: Man Utd have been linked with the Dutch starlet as they seek competition and a potential long-term replacement for Patrice Evra at left back. Newcastle have a policy of trying to sign young, relatively unheralded players and Willems fits that particular profile.

Did he enhance his value at Euro 2012? Willems made history at Euro 2012 as he became the youngest player to ever play in a European Championship finals game. But Willems received little assistance from his Dutch colleagues and was exposed time and time again throughout the tournament. Perhaps it was a tournament too early for a talented but raw player.

Mats Hummels (Germany)

Position: Centre-back

Country: Germany

Current club: Borussia Dortmund

Age: 23

Would suit: Hummels defensive class and his ability to initiate moves by stepping into midfield — think Matthias Sammer in Euro 1996 — mean he’s a player who could enhance most sides. Hummels is a player who would fit in seamlessly at Arsenal and would also be a more than able long-term successor to Rio Ferdinand at Manchester United.

Did he enhance his value at Euro 2012? Yes. Hummels wasn’t considered a certain starter before Euro 2012 with the expectation being that Per Mertesacker would start alongside Holger Badstuber. However Germany coach Jogi Loew gave Hummels the nod and although the Dortmund man was exposed in the lead up to Italy’s opening goal in Thursday’s semi-final, he was one of the stars of Euro 2012, winning praise from none other than Zinedine Zidane.

Yann M’Vila (France)

Position: Central midfield

Country: France

Current club: Rennes

Age: 21

Would suit: Arsenal have been linked with M’Vila on a weekly basis for most of the past four years. With good reason too: Arsenal have lacked a really top-class powerful defensive midfielder since Patrick Vieira left in 2005.

Did he enhance his value at Euro 2012? No. Injury ruled him out of the opening game against England before he came on as a substitute in the win over the Ukraine. M’Vila started in the defeats to Sweden and Spain but was replaced after making little or no contribution to the French cause. Potential suitors will also be concerned that M’Vila was one of a quartet of French players who fell out with the manager Laurent Blanc. Sound familiar? Home