The Women’s Euro 2022 Championship is set to be an exciting tournament that will be a showcase for some of the most talented players in the women’s game. From exciting youngsters to Ballon d’Or winners, there will be some amazing players trying to lead their respective countries to the title.
So as the tournament gets closer, here are SBOTOP’s picks for the top five players to look out for during the tournament.
Laura Hemp, England
There will be a ton of expectation on hosts England to end the country’s long drought in football silverware – on both the men’s and women’s side. The Three Lionesses possess a star-studded side and are among the favourites to win the tournament.
Aside from having home advantage, another major reason why the Women’s Euro 2022 betting odds are so bullish on the Lionesses is because of young Lauren Hemp, who is being touted as one of the breakout stars of the tournament. The 21-year-old is set to play in her first major international tournament, and she looks more than ready to shine on the big stage.
The Manchester City winger was brilliant in the recently concluded WSL season. She scored with a team-high 21 goals and added 10 assists as she won the PFA Young Player of the Year award for a record fourth time.
The hopes of a success-starved nation will be on the Lionesses’ shoulders, and Hemp could just be that special player who can blaze them to the top.
Ada Hegerberg, Norway
Ada Hegerberg was primed to be the next big thing in women’s football when she won the inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or in 2018. However, her career took a significant blow when she suffered a serious knee injury in 2019 that kept her out for nearly two years.
Hegerberg also stepped away from the Norwegian national team for five years in protest at the way the country’s women’s football program was being run.
But the 26-year-old forward finally returned to action this past season and is slowly getting back to Ballon d’Or-winning form. She scored 16 goals in 26 games for Lyon, including one in the Women’s Champions League final as she helped the French giants upset Barcelona Femini.
Hegerberg has also finally returned to the fold in time for the Euros, and Norway could be a potential dark horse with her leading the charge. She scored a hat-trick in her first game back against Kosovo and looks set to produce more Women’s Euro 2022 highlights in England.
Alexia Putellas, Spain
Alexia Putellas scored the consolation goal in Barcelona’s 3-1 defeat to Lyon in the Women’s Champions League final, but the Spanish superstar will be keen to make up for that heartbreak at the Euros.
The 28-year-old is the reigning women’s Ballon d’Or and is coming off another tremendous campaign with the Catalan club. She scored 18 goals last season, including 11 in the Champions League, which is a tremendous return from a midfielder.
Putellas will now lead a Spanish side that is tipped to be one of the top contenders for Women’s Euro 2022, in large part because of the Barcelona ace and her ability to take the game by the scruff of the neck.
Vivianne Miedema, Netherlands
Reigning European champions the Netherlands are out to defend their title in England.
Most of the stars of that title-winning side – including Player of the Tournament Lieke Martens – are still going strong, but Vivianne Miedema could just be the one who shines brightest of all.
Miedema, who was just 21 in that tournament, scored four goals – including a brace in their 4-2 win over Denmark in the final – to take home the Silver Boot.
Now 25, Miedema is still at the peak of her powers, and the Arsenal striker looks set to add to her astounding international goalscoring record of 94 goals in 111 caps at the Euros.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto, France
As prolific as the likes of Hegerberg and Miedema are, Katoto could very well pip them both for the Golden Boot in Women’s Euro 2022. The French forward is just that good.
The 23-year-old Katoto has an absurdly good goalscoring record for club PSG. She has scored 24 or more goals in each of the last five seasons, including 32 goals in 33 appearances last year. Not to be outdone, she has scored 25 goals in 30 caps for Les Bleues.
With the French lacking the amazing depth of firepower that they enjoyed in past years, Katoto will have a big burden on her shoulders to score most of the team’s goals. But the 23-year-old has proven with PSG that she is more than capable of delivering.
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