With the season over, footballing eyes across the world have turned to Euro 2016, not least in England where manager Roy Hodgson announced his provisional 26 man squad for the tournament.
Hodgson’s list included a number of shock in-and-exclusions, most notably Andros Townsend and Marcus Rashford who came into the squad, as well as both Mark Noble and Jermain Defoe who were, unfortunately for them, omitted despite terrific individual campaigns.
The former Liverpool manager will have to cut three players from the 26 man squad before their Euro campaign begins against Russia on June 11th, as England hope to impress during the tournament following a fine qualification record.
England and Russia are joined by Wales and Slovakia in Group B, and Hodgson’s men are favourite to emerge as winners of the group.
As they always are, Premier League scouts will be having a field day (or summer) eyeing up Europe’s most talented players coming together, as the tournament provides a perfect opportunity for clubs to eye up their summer transfer targets.
Chelsea will almost certainly be one of those clubs on the lookout for summer recruits, with incoming boss Antonio Conte set to reinforce heavily at the Bridge following the club’s worst Premier League finish in two decades.
Conte himself will be at the tournament, as he spearheads Italy’s Euro campaign, but the Italian manager will without question have one eye on the goings on elsewhere in the tournament.
Could the former Juventus man find his new Chelsea men in Group B? Our landlord takes a look at FIVE players Conte could recruit from group B…..
[ffc-gallery]
PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO SEE THE FIVE GROUP B STARS!
[/ffc-gallery]
Fabian Delph
A surprise inclusion in Roy Hodgson’s 26 man squad, Delph has been unlucky at Manchester City following his move last summer from Aston Villa, with a string of injuries having kept the talented midfielder out of the side.
The 26-year-old may now struggle for first team football with incoming boss Pep Guardiola set to bring a host of players with him to the Etihad, so Delph could jump ship in search of first team football.
Aaron Ramsey
Continually linked with a move away from the Emirates, Welshman Ramsey is set for another summer of speculation.
Despite not having the best season in North London, the 25-year-old is undeniably talented having attracted past interest from the likes of Barcelona.
A move to the Catalan club is unlikely, but a switch to West London is less so, as Chelsea and Conte are searching for a creative midfielder.
Ryan Bertrand
It would be audacious to say the least if Chelsea were to make a move for their former defender this summer.
Loaned out 9 times during his career at the Bridge, Bertrand has had an excellent season since his permanent move to Southampton last summer, and was unlucky not to make the PFA Team of the Year.
Once again Chelsea failed to recognise their young talent at the club and rued the mistake, as the Blues have cried out for a consistent left back this campaign.
Denis Cheryshev
Cheryshev is set for a move away from home club Real Madrid this summer following his loan spell with Valencia in the latter half of this campaign.
The Russian has impressed during his half season at the Mestalla Stadium, and was also instrumental for Villarreal during his loan spell last season where he scored 6 goals and provided 11 assists as The Yellow Submarine finished 6th in La Liga.
A transfer target of Liverpool, Chelsea could swoop in and steal the exciting winger’s signature.
Marek Hamsik
Hamsik goes about his business quietly at Napoli, but the Slovak – who has now made over 400 appearances for the club – has been the engine behind the Partenopei’s reinvention over the last half decade.
The Euro’s will provide Hamsik a chance to shine and the 28-year-old will certainly turn some heads.