Sportsmail's resident scout is a top football expert who attends matches every week searching for the next star of the game.
But with the Euros in full flow, the action across the continent is throwing up a few surprise names that have taken the tournament by storm.
Here, they look at the five players that are lighting up this year's competition.
The European Championship is in full flow and several players are shining brightly so far
A Europa League winner with Villarreal, this 6ft 4in centre back has stepped into Sergio Ramos’s shoes and is emerging as a big talent. Confident and composed, he is yet to be exposed.
Most teams at the Euros are playing with one striker, so Torres has coped comfortably alongside Manchester City’s Aymeric Laporte. Covering with great awareness, he has not been put under major pressure.
A left-footed defender who uses his right foot to feed his full back early, he assesses the chance of a forward pass whenever possible. A clean sheet against Sweden was a comfortable start to the tournament but a greater test came from Robert Lewandowksi in Spain’s second game. He challenged the outstanding Pole comfortably. Torres will have more difficult games but he is certainly making his mark.
Pau Torres has stepped into Sergio Ramos’s shoes and is emerging as a big talent
This 6ft defender has taken the long road since joining Juventus from Siena in 2012. He has emerged as a mature, athletic left back with drive and energy who adds balance to the Italy team.
Comfortable on the left as a right-footed player, he enjoys thrusting forward to overload in the middle and final third. He is effective offensively without neglecting his defensive duties.
He covers well, has aerial strength and is capable of defending inverted wingers who cut inside to meet the Italian’s stronger right foot. Going forward, he shows power and subtlety with his use of the ball. His attacking runs down the left have been a major weapon for Italy. An impressive late developer.
Italy's Leonardo Spinazzola is effective offensively without neglecting his defensive duties
This speedy, lean striker plays in a front two and desperately needs a quality supplier. With his pace, he can race behind a high defensive line but needs a clever passer to put him through.
Right-footed and tricky at close quarters, he has been starved of the ball. His goal tally at Sociedad is good but he has been given few chances to score at the Euros.
Outpowered
