One of the most anticipated competitions in the world is just around the corner. In under two months, the Euro 2020 finals begin, one year after they were originally scheduled to kickoff. The competition was called off last year due to Covid-19 but it seems it is all systems go this time, with the groups drawn and host cities identified.
As the world gears up for the Euro 2020 fanfare, not everyone will be quite pleased to see days roll down towards the topmost competition in Europe. Players with injury are currently in a race against time to be fit for the competition while the fit ones are hoping they can put up great performances to punch their tickets for the showpiece.
So, who are the top players set to miss the tournament, or at least are major doubts for the competition?
1. Virgil van Dijk
The Liverpool defender has been forced to stay out of action for a better part of the 2020/21 season after sustaining a knee injury in October 2020. Van Dijk came off worse in a poor challenge by Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside Derby.
Initial reports had indicated the Netherlands international would be back in April but that still seems unlikely, though lately he has been involved in gym sessions as he continues with his recovery.
2. Robert Lewandowski
Polish international Robert Lewandowski has easily been the best forward in Europe over the past two seasons. This season alone, he’s scored more than 40 goals but two months to the top competition in Europe, he is forced into a race against time after suffering a knee injury while on international duty.
He suffered the injury towards the end of March and reports indicated he would be out for four weeks. He recently posted a video making short runs as he starts his recovery process. His absence is already being felt at Bayern Munich and at 32, this could be his last Euro Championships chance so he will do his all to feature. Whether he will or not, time will tell.
3. Axel Witsel
Belgian international Axel Witsel is yet another top star facing a race against time ahead of the competition. The Borussia Dortmund midfielder tore an Achilles tendon in January 2021 and the club stated he will be out for an “extended period of time”.
Witsel remains one of the top talents in Europe, and having been capped 110 times says all he means to the Belgium team. He is provisionally scheduled to return to action in August, clearly ruling him out of the competition.
4. Kieran Tierney
After working so hard in the season and to aid Scotland return to a major competition since featuring at the 1998 World Cup, Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney has emerged as a major doubt for the Euros. He suffered a knee injury in his team’s 3-0 loss to Liverpool early in April and the club has indicated that his season is over.
With Scotland drawn in a group that has England, 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia and the tricky Czech Republic, it will be interesting to see how the Wincomparator experts call this group in the Euro 2020 odds and predictions. One thing remains doubtful though – if one of Scotland’s best players in recent times will get to feature.
Other top players not yet ruled out include Liverpool skipper and England midfielder Jordan Henderson who is out with a groin injury. He had surgery in March and is continuing with his recovery. This group will could also miss another top player in Croatia’s Marko Rog, with the Cagliari midfielder sitting out since December with an ACL injury.
England winger Jack Grealish has been out since February with a shin injury but reports from the Aston Villa camp indicate their skipper is very close to a return to action.
