Benjamin Sesko is leading the line for Slovenia at Euro 2024 (Photo: Getty)
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.
Sesko scored 18 goals for RB Leipzig last season (Picture: Getty)
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?
Sesko can use his speed, strength and height to cause England problems (Photo: Getty)
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 …read more
Source:: Metro
