In a tournament boasting some of the world’s biggest stars, only one man is really living up to expectations at EURO 2016.
West Ham’s Dimitri Payet is the only player to really light up the group stages, leaving a star-studded list of disappointments as the summer threatens to be defined not by ‘have-a-go heroes’, but by ‘misfiring maestros’.
And with this in mind, here are EURO 2016’s biggest flops so far…
1. Harry Kane (England)
A year ago everyone was asking if England striker Harry Kane was a ‘one-season wonder’. Was his breakthrough season at Tottenham a flash in the pan? Could he do it again?
Now, after a second season that saw him smash 25 goals to win the Premier League Golden Boot, the 22-year-old is hot property.
But he is yet to show it at the EUROs. Two games, no goals and a host of wayward free-kicks and corners. There is even talk he could be dropped for England’s next game.
Although our next flop has already lost his place…
2. Paul Pogba (France)
The French midfielder has made a huge name for himself at Juventus and also won Best Young Player of the 2014 World Cup.
Les Bleus flew out of the blocks, qualifying for the last 16 in just two games but Pogba is yet to shine and was even dropped after a poor showing in their opening win over Romania.
The 23-year-old is rumoured to be an £80million target for Manchester City – but he will have to improve if he expects Pep Guardiola’s new side to spend that sort of money on him.
And he’s not the only one struggling to seal a move, click next…
3. Andriy Yarmolenko (Ukraine)
Transfer window after transfer window, Yarmolenko is linked with a lucrative move to the Premier League – but still he remains at Dynamo Kiev.
And you can see why as his Ukraine side are already out of EURO 2016 after two defeats and the winger has barely registered on the radar. England’s big clubs may be relieved not to have wasted their money.
And if it’s big-money duds you are after, look no further than our next contender…
4. Raheem Sterling (England)
The young winger cost Manchester City a whopping £49million from Liverpool last summer, such was his stunning potential.
He impressed at the last World Cup two years ago but has lost his way big time. Roy Hodgson kept faith with him in England’s first two games but he was hauled off at half-time in the 2-1 win over Wales.
Sterling has struggled with injuries all season and confidence seems to be a rock bottom. Nothing he tries comes off and he struggles to beat his man.
A good performance might get him back on track, but you just cannot see where that is going to come from.
Our next hot-shot was not struggling for form ahead of the tournament – but he is now…
5. Robert Lewandowski (Poland)
Poland’s talismanic hitman had scored in five straight competitive matches for Poland before EURO 2016 – but now he is goalless in two.
Lewandowski racked up 30 goals for Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga but he cannot buy one in France.
Northern Ireland’s Jonny Evans kept him quiet in the opener and he lost a tight head-to-head battle with Germany’s Mats Hummels last time out.
But now from a megastar who can’t score, to one who can’t even shoot straight…
6. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Sweden)
This must be Zlatan’s last chance to shine at a major tournament. The 34-year-old missed out on the 2014 World Cup with Sweden not qualifying.
‘Ibra’ was scoring for fun for PSG all season – 38 goals en route to the title – but not only has he had no shots on target in France this summer – neither have the rest of his team.
And time is running out as Sweden look set to crash out unless Zlatan can start firing.
Next we go from a French champion – to a world champion…
[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]
7. Thomas Muller (Germany)
The expectations on Bayern’s Thomas Muller are only so high due to a frankly ridiculous domestic season.
The forward, who ended Germany’s World Cup-winning campaign in Brazil as Golden Boot holder, plundered 32 goals this term but has rarely threatened at the Euros so far.
That shouldn’t come as a major surprise – he has never scored a EUROs goal. But there will still be thousands of punters that have backed him to fire Germany to more glory in France.
Finally, click here to see who is top of our flop parade…
[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]
8. Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)
The self-proclaimed world’s best player may have the stats to back it up – but his EURO 2016 has been a nightmare so far.
Real Madrid ace Ronaldo has failed to score in two matches against European minnows Iceland, then Austria – and even missed a penalty against the latter.
Fans are expecting goals, tricks, skills and just general quality from the king of the egos – but instead he is huffing around, whining at team-mates and failing to inspire a Portugal side that have very little else to offer.
[ad_pod id=’writeforus’ align=’center’]
