Five Must-Watch Players At 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro

With the 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro just days away, here is a guide to five must-watch players across the tournament. 

This month will see 368 players across 16 national teams converge onto England for 2022 UEFA Women’s Euro, which promises to be a strong competition with multiple stand-out stars looking to guide their team to glory at Wembley Stadium come 31 July.

It is therefore difficult to just know which players to watch out for across a tournament littered with quality talent across the pitch, so here is a guide to five players who promise to be must-watch across the tournament.

 

Alexia Putellas (Spain)

As the reigning FIFA Best World Player, Spain’s Alexia Putellas comes into this tournament as one of the top talents to watch out for across the tournament.

Maximising her versatility in midfield and attack mainly on the left flank, Putellas this season has established herself as one of the leading stars on the Women’s stage in European football with 39 goals and over 20 assists for Barcelona and Spain in total.

Spain however find themselves in this tournament’s ‘group of death’ alongside UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 runners-up – Denmark plus Germany and Finland, meaning that all eyes will be on Putellas to help La Roja avoid a shock early exit.

 

Beth Mead (England)

Since Sarina Wiegman arrived on English soil to replace Phil Neville as permanent manager last summer – following a caretaker spell under Hege Riise – Beth Mead has been one of England’s breakout stars heading into this summer’s Euros.

Already famed for her excellent attacking ability as a winger on both domestic and international stages, Mead this season has found new levels to her game as both a starter and substitute which will make her someone which opposition defences will fear.

Mead also is coming into this tournament in fantastic form with 28 goals and 26 assists in all competitions for club and country this season, of which 14 goals and 10 assists came for England alone underlining why she will be a key player for the Lionesses in attack.

Having been snubbed by Team GB for last summer’s Olympics in Tokyo, Mead will also be extra motivated to prove her worth in major tournaments which makes her a huge player to watch out for, especially with the Euros on home soil to boot.

 

Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands)

Even though the Netherlands are only fourth-favourites with bookies, we definitely can’t rule out Vivianne Miedema from spearheading the Oranje’s title bid.

From having burst onto the international stage aged 17 years-old in September 2013, Miedema has established herself as one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards who should never be discounted despite having enjoyed a quieter season at Arsenal than usual.

Miedema has also developed the ability to play deeper within midfield if required tactically, which will only make this all-time record Dutch goalscorer more dangerous for opposition, especially given her strong playmaking ability in terms of producing assists when not scoring herself.

At just 25 years-old, Miedema is also beginning to hit her peak years and given her attacking talent, she should never be underestimated as a player to watch out for at any tournament – particularly given her improved ability to play deeper into midfield when needed.

 

Mary Earps (England)

Having spent recent seasons on the fringes of the England set-up, Mary Earps has suddenly found herself as the Lionesses’ no.1 goalkeeper coming into this tournament after unexpectedly establishing herself as first-choice under Wiegman.

Earps however now faces the huge task of being England’s first-choice goalkeeper heading into a major tournament for the first time – albeit on home soil to boot – which will place huge pressure on her to impress from the first match onwards.

The 28 year-old Nottingham-born goalkeeper though has been one of the best-performing English players in the Women’s Super League this year, underlining why Wiegman has trusted her in-between the sticks ahead of Ellie Roebuck and Hannah Hampton.

Earps’ biggest challenge ultimately will lie in how she adapts to her biggest international stage yet on home soil, especially in front of sell-out crowds with all eyes on her goalkeeping ability as the Lionesses go for glory at home.

 

Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France)

Despite their lack of success over the years, France have established themselves as a tough team to face and boast a top young forward talent in Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

Aged just 23 years-old, Katoto has already established herself as a fierce striker with high goal-scoring vs appearance percentages for both her club – PSG (90.8%) and national team – France (82.76%), underlining her quality heading into the tournament off the back of her strongest season yet.

France meanwhile will be without their all-time record goalscorer Eugenie Le Sommer following her omission from the squad, leaving Katoto as their highest-scoring striker in a young forward selection which will place extra pressure on the 23 year-old to spearhead their attack.

Throw in France finding themselves in a tough group with Belgium, Iceland and Italy and the stage is set for Katoto to step up and showcase her talent against difficult opposition, which could well prepare her to impress against tougher opposition in the knockout stages.

There however lie internal issues between individual players and manager – Corinne Diacre which have quietly simmered behind the scenes, which will add a psychological edge to publicity surrounding this France team and particularly Katoto throughout the tournament.

Either way, Katoto is certainly set to be a star worth watching out for on the pitch, regardless of any tensions within the squad behind-the-scenes.