Enes Unal 17

Turkey and Bursaspor

A surprise inclusion by the Turkey manager, Fatih Terim, Unal is still to start a league match this season. The centre-forward was picked on his performances for the U19s and U21s as well as on pure potential. He is no stranger to scouts, as this two-footed, physically imposing front man has broken goalscoring records at academy level and is widely seen as the most talented No9 to come out of Turkey since Hakan Sukur.

Hakan Calhanoglu 21

Turkey and Bayer Leverkusen

From scoring the winner in the first leg of the Champions League knockout tie against Atlético Madrid to producing a poor, poor penalty in the shootout of the return leg last week, it has been a rollercoaster spell for the Germany-born attacking midfielder, crowned by his return to playing for his country following a brief but controversial absence. The elegant, high-scoring midfielder has the quality that Turkey have sorely missed since the wonderful generation that reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2002.

Danilo 23

Brazil and Porto

Brazil’s Danilo chases after the ball in a friendly against Turkey in November 2014. Photograph: Ozan Kose/AFP/Getty Images

Friendlies against high-quality opposition such as France and Chile will offer top European clubs an opportunity to assess the Porto right-back before the summer transfer window. Dani Alves’s Seleçao successor is said to be wanted by Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester United, meaning Porto are once again likely to cash in heavily on a South American import. Impressive going forward, excellent in the air and equipped with tremendous physical attributes, Danilo – who still has room for improvement – is already considered as one of the best in his position.

Alen Halilovic 18

Croatia and Barcelona B

While Sunday’s clásico featured one sublime Croatian playmaker per side, the 18-year-old, who signed for Barça from Dinamo Zagreb last summer, also has the ability to one day dictate the proceedings of the biggest game in the world. Perhaps closer to Luka Modric than Ivan Rakitic in playing style, Halilovic is blessed with the same intelligence, vision, balance and ball control that make his two countrymen stand out at the highest level.

Silvan Widmer 22

Switzerland and Udinese

Not only is the defender emerging as the eventual long-term replacement for Stephan Lichtsteiner at right-back but the robust, tireless runner is also becoming a hot property on the transfer market. With high-class right-backs hard to find, Premier League as well as Bundesliga clubs are keeping a careful eye on the attack-minded Swiss, who has also featured as a wing-back in Serie A this season.

Alexandre Lacazette 23

France and Lyon

Immense in Ligue 1, though still to find the net for his country, the Lyon forward is currently just about the most sought-after name in European football. Without the opportunity to show his talent in the Champions League, a good run for France may convince the big guns to trigger a bidding war for the opportunistic, quick striker in the summer. In terms of his playing style – full of movement and clever runs – he provides an excellent complement to Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud in the France squad.

Alexandre Lacazette in action for France against Sweden. Photograph: Manuel Blondeau/Corbis

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco 21

Belgium and Monaco

Another product of what seems an endless line of first-class Belgian talent, the Monaco forward has taken every challenge in his stride since marking his club debut with a wonderful free-kick goal in 2012. If given the chance, he will be hoping to make a similar impact on his debut for his country. An unpredictable second striker or winger, he is hard to read and exceptionally quick with the ball at his feet.

Davy Klaassen 22

Holland and Ajax

The supremely talented attacking midfielder is in line for his second cap after impressing for Ajax in domestic as well as European competition. With his silky touch, excellent finishing and wonderfully timed attacking runs, Klaassen very much fits the description of the archetypical Dutch midfielder. Likely to follow his manager Frank de Boer to wherever he might move next.

Havard Nielsen 21

Norway and Eintracht Braunschweig

While the 16-year-old Real Madrid wonderkid Martin Odegaard – who is also in the squad to face Croatia – has been grabbing all the headlines, this versatile front man is turning into the most influential player of Norway’s Euro 2016 campaign. The left-footed forward, who is built like a centre-forward but has long favoured playing out wide, is still being monitored by Premier League clubs eager to observe whether he can make the final step to the very top level. With his finishing skills especially showing signs of improvement, there is every chance he can.

Rafael Borré 19

Colombia and Deportivo Cali

The Colombian hotshot earned his first call-up to the senior side following an impressive South American U20 championship last month and by scoring six goals in four starts for Deportivo Cali since the restart of the league. A temperamental striker with a direct approach to his game, thanks to quick legs and equally quick thinking, he is good at finding and exploiting space behind opposing defences.

Jonathan Rodríguez 21

Uruguay and Benfica

Jonathan Rodríguez celebrates after scoring for Peñarol. Photograph: Prensa Uruguay

Only weeks after joining Benfica from Peñarol, the Uruguayan has made a huge impact playing for Benfica’s B team and is certain to assume a key role for the first team. Another trademark passionate South American forward whose rugged physique and determination to score goals make him a nightmare for opposing defenders, he is likely to be the next South American striker to be sold on from Benfica for huge profit.

Jürgen Damm 21

Mexico and Pachuca

The Mexican-born winger with a German grandfather – he also possesses a German passport – earns his first national team call-up for the friendly fixtures against Ecuador and Paraguay. Mexican fans have grown accustomed to the somewhat bemusing sight of such a tall wide player – who is still a little unpolished tactically and physically – charging down the right-hand flank for Pachuca and will be hoping that he can transfer his fine form in the domestic league to the international scene.