World Soccer - UK (2020-12)

EUROPA LEAGUE2020-21

Europa League

playerstowatch

Jamie Evanshighlights the stars you need to

keep an eye on in this season’s Europa League

Bukayo

SAKA

ARSENAL

It was in last season’s Europa

League that Saka truly made

his name. Nobody claimed more

assists in the competition than the

teenager (five), while his displays

as a makeshift left-back have

been equally impressive.

This season he will be one of

Arsenal’s established stars rather

than an emerging talent, so may

even be rested during the group

stage. But assuming the Gunners

advance, Saka has the chance to

prove why he is one of Europe’s

most exciting prospects. England

boss Gareth Southgate, who handed

Saka his senior Three Lions debut in

October, will be watching closely.

Jamie

VARDY

LEICESTER CITY

While Zlatan has played over150

games in Europe, this will be Vardy’s

first time in the Europa League. To

some continental defenders, the

33-year-old may even be something

of an unknown quantity – but that

is sure to change once they’ve faced

him: Vardy is still a nightmare to

play against.

The ex-England striker has hit 40

goals against the Premier League’s

“big six,” and his Golden Boot-

winning form from last season has

continued into the new campaign.

Zlatan

IBRAHIMOVIC

MILAN

Agecreepsuponeveryoneeventually.

Everyone, that is, except Ibrahimovic.

Now 39, it is tempting to ask how long

theSwedehasleftatthetop,butthen

again, looking at his form and incredible

physical condition, it may yet be some

way off.

Milan’s squad can be characterised as

one of youthful exuberance and talent,

yet their main man is still the veteran

striker: his wealth of experience makes

him the perfect leader for the likes of

Sandro Tonali,Jens Petter Hauge and

Daniel Maldini, while his goalscoring

record remains impeccable, with12

goals in his first19 Serie A games

since returning to Milan inJanuary.

1

(^23)