Aleks Zinchenko has enjoyed such a brilliant season at Manchester City that Pep Guardiola now trusts him to start every match.
In recognition of his achievements, his home country Ukraine have awarded him the captain’s armband for the Euros.
Zinchenko, at 24 years of age, has not always enjoyed such a good relationship with his native Ukraine.
After a mistake in the Nations League, which allowed Leroy Sane to score for Germany, the fans reaction was vile and death threats were made against Aleks and his family.
He said one read: “For losing the ball in the opponents half of the field, they with you and your family are dead.” Zinchenko has an interesting history and had to swear an allegiance to his home country after fleeing to Russia in 2014 when war broke out.
He informed his then club, Shakhtar Donetsk that he would not honour his contract and signed for a Russian team.
Despite being used as a left back at City he will play in his favoured role in central midfield during the Euros.