The UEFA Nations League makes its fourth outing this week as part of the first international break of the new season.
The bi-annual tournament, designed to bring an end to meaningless friendlies, the scourge of the fans, was launched in 2018 and has successfully brought internationals to life, in between the big summer tournaments. There have been three winners of the European Nations League, France, Spain and Portugal and the early UEFA Nations League 2024 betting odds say the 2025 award will land in one of those countries again, with Germany also in the mix.
No mention of England you notice…well that’s because the Three Lions were relegated in the last competition and now interim manager Lee Carsley will lead them into Group B battle, facing the likes of Finland, Greece and the Republic of Ireland.
Euro 2024 champions Spain start with a trip to Serbia and there’s another eye-catching clash on Thursday when Portugal host Croatia. The match of the day on Friday pits together old rivals France and Italy and then, on Saturday, Germany host Hungary while England take a short trip across the Irish Sea to meet the Republic.
There will be a galaxy of stars on show over the next week, so let’s take a look at five who we’re really keen to see how they fare. Five players who have had mixed fortunes over the past 12 months but each will be hopeful of making some special UEFA Nations League 2024 highlights over the next few days.
Bruno Fernandes – Portugal
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been a constant figure in the Selecao’s first 11 since making his debut in 2017, and the attacking midfielder has scored 23 goals in 71 internationals. He has a one in three scoring record for his club side too, but he has had a frustrating time in four years at Old Trafford, playing for a team in transition and in the shadow of their city neighbours Manchester City. To make matters worse the Red Devils have just been slapped by fierce rivals Liverpool and have settled in the lower reaches of mid table in the Premier League. Of course these are early days and the ever ebullient Fernandes will do all he can to spark a revival at his club…and a week away in the sunshine will do him a world of good.
Pedri – Spain
With wingers Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal in the Spain squad there is no shortage of youthful star quality, but the player I’m keen to see this week is midfield ace Pedri who made an electric start to his career at Barcelona and with La Roja. He was blighted by injury last season and the Blaugrana have welcomed Pedri back with open arms. Still only 21 he has already made over 100 appearances for Barca and has 24 international caps and, if he is back to his best he will be a standout performer once again this year.
Sandro Tonali – Italy
The SBOTOP match of the week comes on Friday when Italy face France at the Parc des Princes and Kylian Mbappe and co will welcome some of Serie A’s finest players. One star who will be desperate to make a positive impact is Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali who has just completed a ten month worldwide ban. After winning the Scudetto with AC Milan, Tonali had only just signed for the Magpies, the £70m fee making him the most expensive Italian of all time, when he was banned for betting irregularities. A cultured deep-lying midfielder who is still only 24, Tonali can get his career back on track right now.
Michael Olise – France
22 year old Olise made a name for himself at Crystal Palace as a tricky, pacey and dangerous winger, one to rival the likes of Williams and Yamal, and he has impressed in his two games in the Bundesliga, having switched to Bayern Munich in a 60m Euros deal. He has yet to play for Les Bleus but Olise had a highly successful Olympics, scoring five goals in nine appearances, and he has all the attributes to take the step up to Didier Deschamps team.
Cole Palmer – England
A player who was on the fringe of Gareth Southgate’s starting 11, Palmer never failed to get the fans off their seats when he came on, memorably scoring a brilliant equaliser in the Euro 2024 final but, of course, Spain went on to win. Following his £40m move from Manchester City to Chelsea, Palmer scored 22 goals and made 17 assists last season and, while England have a host of riches in attacking midfield, including Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka, Palmer is not a player you can ignore for long.
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