Scouting report: could Bastian Schweinsteiger and Andres Iniesta cope in the Premier League?

BASTIAN SCHWEINSTEIGER (GERMANY)

Verdict: Worth monitoring

Linked with Manchester United on the morning of the final, the Bayern Munich winger certainly looks like a player who could do a job in the Premier League if - and it is a big if - his club were willing to sell. His tournament began awfully, with a red card against Croatia, but he came to life in the knock-out stages, scoring against Portugal and Turkey, and, while he was not at his best in the final last night, he again showed the tenacity that would make him a plausible, if not necessarily attainable, target for United or any any of their more affluent rivals. With only a year remaining on his contract at Bayern, his situation will certainly be monitored.

ANDRES INIESTA (SPAIN)

Verdict: Too good for the Premier League

The antithesis of Schweingsteiger. Whereas the German is all about energy, pace and aggression, Iniesta is an artist. He and Xavi, his Barcelona team-mate, have not always been at his best in this tournament - and some would argue that Spain's best moments have come when they have been replaced by Santi Cazorla and Cesc Fabregas - but they played beautifully in the final as their team put on the kind of passing exhibition that neutrals across Europe will have loved. He, Xavi and David Silva are three wonderful footballers. Would they thrive outside of Spain, let alone in the hurly-burly of the Premier League? There can be no guarantees. Keep them in La Liga where their talents are appreciated and would not have to be sacrificed at the altar of industry and physique.

- Oliver Kay

Comments

[Carlos Rubio, from Segovia (SPAIN)]

This huge victory has been a wonderfull new for everybody in Spain, Teams of domestic leage got many championships in last years, but nathional team did not follow this way. But now we feel happy. Thank you to Great Britain for supporting the Spanish team.

[Martin.1984]

From Spain, we are the champions!! at the end we get it.