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There are a number of outstanding young Swiss prospects to choose from at Euro 2008 including Liverpool’s new arrival Philipp Degen, 24 year old Gelson Fernandes and 19 year old Eren Derdiyok, who scored on his debut at Wembley in March. However, perhaps the player the most likely to have a strong impact at the tournament is Gokhan Inler. The young Swiss central midfielder Gokhan Inler could be one of the stars of the Euro 2008 tournament in the Swiss midfield. Like many of his team-mates Inter has a mixed ethnic background the name giving away his Turkish heritage. Although Switzerland have lost several quality players after they elected to play for another country, such as Ivan Rakitic who opted to play for Croatia, the Swiss FA are delighted they’ve managed to persuade Inter, despite his Turkish roots, to commit his international future to Switzerland. At the heart of the Swiss midfield, Inler and Gelson Fernandes could form an excellent partnership that could take the host country to at least the quarter finals of Euro 2008. The 23 year old has just finished as first season in Serie A after making the move to Italy from FC Zurich last summer. It’s been an outstanding season for him as he claimed a first team starting spot and helped Udinese to an excellent finishing position in Serie A helping them to challenge for Europe all season long. Indeed such was his performance that in the end of season review Italian newspaper Gazetto dello Sport elected him the best foreign player to arrive in Serie A for the season 2007/08 after his 37 appearances and 2 goals. It hasn’t always been plain sailing for Inler though, who after coming through the youth team at FC Basel was unable to break through into the senior team. A trial spell with Fenerbahce followed in the summer of 2004 but he wasn’t deemed to have sufficient ability to warrant being given a contract and only Swiss relegation candidates FC Aarau were prepared to give him a chance. Even then he wasn’t given his debut in the team until January of that season for Aarau. His three goals in 14 appearances as well as his all round contribution helped Aarau retain their top flight status and also yielded his first international recognition when he was called into the U21 team. A strong start to the 2005/06 season prompted FC Zurich to come in for him, as they looked for a replacement for the departed Mihai Tararache, who had left for MSV Duisberg. In his 18 months at the Letzigrund helped them win the Swiss league in both seasons. Despite a contract until 2009 keeping hold of their starlet was always going to be a struggle and with former boss Lucian Favre showing an interest in taking him to his new side Hertha Berlin at the end of the 2006/07 season it was eventually Udinese, who stepped in to snap him up. The strong spell at FC Zurich also saw him called into the full side after a long discussion with Kobi Kuhn, Swiss coach and he has since gone onto to make 15 appearances for the full national team already. He has made an excellent impression at both club and international level thanks to his strong technique, excellent sense of positioning and ability to play with either foot. Paired with the more attacking Gelson Fernandes at the heart of the Swiss midfield for the preparations for Euro 2008 the pair have formed a promising partnership, which bodes well for the tournament. A number of Europe’s top sides have already registered their interest with Udinese for the player including most recently Liverpool, who have already signed international colleague Philipp Degen from Borussia Dortmund. In just 4 short seasons Inter has catapulted himself from reject to international superstar and if he can continue his recent club form at Euro 2008 they sky could be the limit for him. Posted by Walter Townsend on Thursday, 5th June 2008 (Average rating 9 from 1 votes. Vote) (0 Comments) |