After an average spell at Celtic during 2013-14, it appeared that Teemu Pukki was destined not to fulfil his potential for the remainder of his career. However, Pukki has reinvented himself since 2016, scoring 109 goals in all competitions on the club scene to emerge as one of the nation's best-ever players. The 30-year-old has also helped Finland qualify for their first-ever major tournament but at a time when there is excitement ahead of Euro 2020, the search is on for players who can cement themselves in the national squad for many years to come.
Just like Siru mobile casino, Aapo Halme looks like being one of the top bets to emerge as one of Finland's key men over the next decade. While the 22-year-old has endured a frustrating campaign at Barnsley due to injury, that should not take away from his potential in defensive areas. There will come a time when Finland need to reduce their average age in defence, and the Under-21s skipper is realistically on the cusp of becoming a mainstay with the seniors. His lack of game time has prevented him from earning his first cap, but it is only a matter of time before he is selected by Markku Kanerva.
Sticking with the Championship theme and Queens Park Rangers defender Niko Hamalainen has made his case to become Finland's left-back on a regular basis. Due to being born in the United States, the 24-year-old has only recently become a concrete option, but making 20 appearances in English football's second tier has proven that he has the ability to become one of the first names on the team sheet. Whether that happens before Euro 2020 remains to be seen, but there is every suggestion that Kanerva is an admirer of the player.
There is little doubting that Finland need more goals from midfield areas to complement Pukki, and there is optimism that Onni Valakari and Fredrik Jensen can establish themselves as important players. As far as Valakari is concerned, the Scottish-born player has already been linked with Premier League outfit Leeds United due to his form with Cypriot side Pafos FC. The versatile playmaker has contributed 17 goals and five assists from just 33 appearances, and it is only a matter of time before he makes the switch to a bigger club. Jensen has found game time more difficult to come by at Bundesliga side Augsburg, but the fact that the 23-year-old has already scored seven times in 16 outings for Finland suggests that there will always be a place for him in the national squad.
Despite his switch to CF Montreal, Lassi Lappalainen is another attack-minded player who has the potential to become a key man with Finland. The winger, who is now 22 years of age, has represented his country at every age group since Under-16 level, and nine goals from 25 appearances in the MLS has kept Lappalainen in the spotlight. While he may benefit from regular game time at a European side in the future, the signs are there that he can become a permanent fixture in the side. body check tags ::
