Five Premier League players to watch at the 2024 Olympics

The 2024 Olympics begin in Paris later this month and football is once again on the summer schedule in France.

Argentina, France and Spain are among the leading nations going for gold and there’s a collection of Premier League stars each hoping to get their hands on a medal.

Here are five Premier League players to watch out for at the 2024 Olympics.

Julian Alvarez (Argentina)

Julian Alvarez’s marathon campaign is set to continue into the 2024 Olympics, with the Manchester City forward named in Javier Mascherano’s travelling party for the games. Alvarez is aiming to complete the set for La Albiceleste after Copa America, Finalissima and World Cup triumphs in recent years.

The 24-year-old is currently with the world champions at the Copa America, where he has scored twice in four appearances. Argentina will take on Colombia in the final this weekend.

After 54 appearances in all competitions at club level in 2023-24, it is a serious schedule for the striker who will be key to Argentina’s hopes of a record-equalling third gold medal, and first since 2008.

Jean-Philippe Mateta (France)

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s purple patch for Crystal Palace last season has seen the Frenchman included in the Olympic squad for Paris 2024. The 27-year-old is one of the overage players in Thierry Henry’s squad after scoring 16 league goals in the Premier League in 2023-24.

Mateta represented France up to u-21 level but has never made a senior appearance for Les Bleus. His performances last season, however, in which he was named Crystal Palace Player of the Season have led to international recognition for Paris.

The host nation will start as one of the favourites for success and have a strong squad, that will be captained by former Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette.

Boubacar Traore (Mali)

Boubacar Traore will represent Mali at this summer’s tournament with the Les Aigles having qualified after a third-place finish at the u-23 AFCON in 2023.

Traore is the most recognisable name in the Mali ranks and made 24 appearances for Wolves in the Premier League last season. The 22-year-old has earned four senior caps for Mali.

Gabriel Slonina (USA)

Gabriel Slonina has formed part of Chelsea’s remarkable recruitment drive of recent transfer windows with the highly-rated goalkeeper joining the Blues from Chicago Fire. Slonina became the youngest goalkeeper to keep a clean sheet in MLS, aged just 17, before spending the 2023-24 campaign on loan at Belgian side Eupen to gain experience.

It was a challenging campaign as Eupen finished bottom of the table to be relegated from the Belgian Pro League and Slonina will hope the Olympics can provide a more fruitful experience.

The 20-year-old will battle Patrick Schulte for the role as number one with both goalkeepers having earned one cap for the senior side. Each will be hoping to make an impression and put themselves in contention for The Stars and Stripes ahead of a home World Cup in 2026.

Lesley Ugochukwu (France)

Another of Chelsea’s collection of young talent, Lesley Ugochukwu endured a frustrating first season in the Premier League as a hamstring injury limited his impact. The midfielder returned for the final two games of the Premier League season and will hope the Olympics can be a springboard towards first-team football next season.

Ugochukwu forms part of an exciting midfield group alongside Manu Kone, Desire Doue and Ryan Cherki, for a French team that has warmed up for the tournament with thrashings of fellow Olympic entrants Paraguay (4-1) and Dominican Republic (7-0).

Read – Five young talents to watch at the 2024 Olympics

See more – Seven Euro 2024 stars we expect to move clubs this summer

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