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Euro 2024 will be a tournament, more than ever, which relies on having a strong squad as opposed to just a solid starting XI.
You’ll also want to keep an eye on our Euro 2024 predictions & bet builder tips across the month. Before the competition starts we’ve compiled some expert selections covering Euro 2024 golden boot tips, Euro 2024 underdogs and outsiders and plenty more Euro 2024 betting previews.
Make sure to pick up a bunch of free bets for Euro 2024, which we’ve compiled a list of.
Our Paddy Power Super Sub guide is a great resource to make the most of the initiative that can ensure your bet stays alive right up to the final whistle.
National team coaches have been given the opportunity to expand the number of players they take to this competition to 26, playing into the hands of nations with a larger player pool.
But it also means that substitutions and squad rotation will be more important than ever as more players will have the opportunity to shine.
Who are some of the players that punters should be looking out for coming off the bench to make an impact? Here are the top players watch.
🔄️ Best Players for Super Sub
🏴 Cole Palmer
It will be interesting to see what England manager Gareth Southgate does with Cole Palmer. Coming off a remarkable debut season with Chelsea, the 22-year-old only has two caps for his country to his credit but will surely amass many more this summer.
Southgate, though, is a creature of habit and is likely to give the youngster the role of being a wildcard for him. After all, it will be tough dropping the likes of Phil Foden or Jude Bellingham to make way for this thrilling upstart.
Palmer, though, is a massive talent, as reflected by his 22 goals for the Blues in the league this season.
🇪🇸 Nico Williams
Spain, meanwhile, have their own sizeable threat that is likely to be waiting in the wings. Nico Williams has been attracting interest from many of Europe’s biggest clubs, with the Athletic Club star having enjoyed a spectacular season.
He does not necessarily fit into the stereotype of a Spanish-style player in recent seasons in that he is a direct runner, though, of course, there is no shortage of skill to his game. Nevertheless, he could well find himself on the bench at the Euros and has the capacity to make a massive impact off it.
Williams will be a greater threat when it comes to assists. He posted 0.44 per 90 in La Liga this season as Athletic finished fifth.
🇪🇸 Lamine Yamal
Similarly, La Roja can call upon the sensational Lamine Yamal. At 16, his role for his country has not yet been defined, yet it is clear that he has the potential to be a generational talent.
Approaching the summer, he only has six caps to his credit but has two goals to his name and generated two assists in a March friendly against Brazil. This was seen as proof that he is the real deal.
Yamal could make himself a starter by the time the European Championship rolls around, but if he has not, he is sure to be one of the most dangerous substitutes in the competition.
🇩🇪 Niclas Fullkrug
For the host nation Germany, meanwhile, look out for Niclas Fullkrug. The burly frontman is likely to be behind Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz in the thinking of Julian Nagelsmann but will provide a different option from the bench for Die Mannschaft if they find themselves in difficulty.
Fullkrug will allow the Germans to become more direct and physical, offering opponents the unwelcome prospect of facing a battering ram in the closing stages of the game just as they are tiring.
The 31-year-old lacks subtlety but that could well be his strength as the host nation have this opportunity to change up their gameplan entirely as they chase glory on home turf.
🇨🇭 Breel Embolo
Sticking in Group A, Switzerland’s Breel Embolo is a wildcard to watch. The Monaco forward has spent much of the season out injured but recently returned to get enough game-time under his belt to force his way into the reckoning for Euro 2024.
With Zeki Amdouni in excellent form for the national team, the 27-year-old may have to make do with an unfamiliar role as a backup option. He is an excellent player for the Swiss to be able to call upon from the bench, though.
Embolo possesses vast experience on the international stage, having won 63 caps for a return of 13 goals, and having such a player to come on late in games will be a blessing for head coach Murat Yakin.
🏴 Lawrence Shankland
Another player to watch in the opening group is Scotland’s Lawrence Shankland. A poacher of goals, the Hearts striker only has a small chance of starting for Steve Clarke’s side purely because he offers little more than what he produces in the penalty box.
If the general belief of the Scots is that they need an industrious and strong no. 9 to hold the ball up to relieve pressure on the defence, Shankland offers a ‘Plan B’ late in games.
He offers credible goalscoring power, too. He notched 24 goals in the Scottish Premiership and also won the league’s Player of the Year award.
🇵🇹 Goncalo Ramos
From one player who is essential to his club to one who is on the periphery, Goncalo Ramos is set to play second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal this summer. At club level, the forward finds himself similarly frustrated by Kylian Mbappe, so the role of substitute is one that he knows well.
Ramos, though, is an incredibly strong option to have for the Portuguese. The 22-year-old has a strong scoring record for the Selecao, having scored eight times in 12 caps.
He displaced Ronaldo in the no. 9 role at the 2022 World Cup but has since lost the starting berth under Roberto Martinez and will be a major threat off the bench.
Portugal’s offensive depth is remarkable, and with the likes of Bernardo Silva, Diogo Jota and Joao Felix to pick from, Ramos would be a welcome player to come on with Super Sub in play.
🇩🇰 Jonas Wind
Meanwhile, Jonas Wind is likely to suffer from Rasmus Hojlund’s excellent second half to the season with Manchester United, with the Wolfsburg player struggling to get a starting spot for Denmark.
What he does give Kasper Hjulmand’s side, though, is an excellent option off the bench.
The 25-year-old has eight international goals in 27 caps and is coming off the back of an excellent season in the Bundesliga in which he scored 11 and assisted seven. Slovenia, England and Serbia have been warned.
* All odds displayed correctly at the time of publishing *
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