England take on Slovenia on Tuesday night in their final group game of Euro 2024, with the Three Lions already qualified for the knockout stages.
Nevertheless, the match is a crucial one as only victory will guarantee top spot in Group C and prevent setting up a dangerous last-16 clash against hosts and rivals Germany.
Moreover, following lacklustre performances against Serbia and Denmark, Gareth Southgate and co. need a morale boosting performance, but Slovenia will be no easy opponent and will be going all out for the win in order to boost their chances of making the knockouts.
Key to their success will be star player Benjamin Sesko, the young striker whose lit up the Bundesliga and is a top target for Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United:
Who is Benjamin Sesko?
He may only be 21, but Sesko has been making waves for several years since he scored 59 goals in 23 games in the U15 set-up at Slovenian side Krsko.
He soon joined Slovenian top-flight outfit NK Domzale but it was only a year later that he caught the eye of Red Bull Salzburg, signing a professional contract with the Austrian side in 2019, aged just 16.
After two seasons out on loan, Sesko finally got his chance in the first-team and enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2022/23, notching up 16 goals in 30 league appearances.
There was much interest from a host of top clubs in Europe, but it was RB Leipzig, operating under the same Red Bull ownership conglomerate as Salzburg, that secured the striker’s signature for a fee of around £20million.
In his maiden Bundesliga campaign, Sesko found the back of the net 18 times in 42 games, leading to yet more transfer interest, and all indications suggested that Arsenal had won the race for his signature, with Mikel Arteta keen to add more firepower to his side.
But in a surprising twist, Sesko opted to pen a new deal which runs until 2029 though it is said that he has a gentlemen’s agreement with Leipzig where they will sell him next summer should they receive a suitable offer. The German club currently value him at upwards of £63m.
Why is Sesko so highly rated?
In addition to his club form, Sesko has 11 goals in 30 caps for his country, but aside from his goal record, it is the striker’s startling physical characteristics that catch the eye.
Two-footed and with an excellent turn of pace, the 6ft 4in Slovenian’s height and physicality allows him to play in a wide variety of tactical set-ups and has also drawn modern-day comparisons with Erling Haaland.
‘Such comparisons motivate me and give me energy,’ Sesko previously said when asked about the Manchester City striker sensation.
‘They do not represent pressure. I will listen and learn so I can be even better than he is. My teammates at the club tell me that Haaland and I are very similar, especially in terms of speed. Most of them even tell me that I’m better than him.’
How can Sesko hurt England?
Sesko is yet to score at Euro 2024 and will have extra motivation to do so as he looks to impress potential buyers from the Premier League but more importantly qualify Slovenia for the knockouts.
After 1-1 draws against Denmark and Serbia, Slovenia sit third in Group C on two points. Victory tonight will guarantee qualification, a draw should do as well, but defeat will likely see them eliminated depending on other results.
As mentioned, Sesko’s physical prowess is his biggest strength and he can use that to great effect against an England side that have looked sluggish and exhausted.
John Stones and Marc Guehi have been two of England’s better players at the tournament but the centre-backs are not immune from making mistakes and if he can react quickly enough, Sesko will have a chance to put one past Jordan Pickford.
A lack of clinicalness prevented Serbia and Denmark from doing more damage to the Three Lions. With Sesko up top, Southgate should be concerned.
It should be said though, there is a chance the young star won’t play in Cologne tonight due to a reoccurrence of a quad injury he picked up at the end of the season, but reports suggest he will make the starting XI.
‘We definitely can [catch England cold]. They know that we have played two great games,’ Sesko said ahead of the clash.
‘They’re not at their best. They are still doing great of course, but now is the best opportunity to play against them and show them the best we can do. I am sure we are going to shine.’
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