Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Albania Manager Gianni De Biasi has named a 27 man provisional squad for this Summer’s European Championships and truth be told I only know of two of their players. Ex Sunderland Defender Lorik Cana makes the squad while in Midfielder Taulaxt Xhaka, brother of Arsenal target Granit is also included.
That is the extent of my Albanian squad knowledge but credit to them for qualifying for their first ever major tournament. They have been one of the real recipients of UEFA’s decision to extend the tournament to 24 teams. Below is the provisional squad in full
Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Lazio), Alban Hoxha (Partizani), Orges Shehi (Skenderbeu)
Defenders: Lorik Cana (Nantes), Arlind Ajeti (Frosinone), Berat Gjimshiti (Atalanta), Mergim Mavraj (Koln), Amir Rrahmani (Split), Elseid Hysaj (Napoli), Ansi Agolli (Qarabag), Frederic Veseli (Lugano), Naser Aliji (Basel)
Midfielders: Ledjan Memushaj (Pescara), Ergys Kace (PAOK), Andi Lila (Giannina), Migjen Basha (Como), Odise Roshi (Rijeka), Burim Kukeli (Zurich), Ermir Lenjani (Nantes), Herolind Shala (Slovan Liberec), Taulant Xhaka (Basel), Armir Abrashi (Freiburg)
Forwards: Bekim Balaj (Rijeka), Sokol Cikalleshi (Medipol Baksasehir), Armando Sadiku (Vaduz), Milot Rashica (Vitesse), Shkelzen Gashi (Colorado Rapids)
