Top 10 best players to watch out for at FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023

Published at :November 10, 2023 at 6:08 PM

Modified at :January 14, 2024 at 1:03 AM

The tournament has been previously lit up by the likes of Phil Foden, Cesc Fabregas & Toni Kroos

While the focus of the footballing world is predominantly on club football right now, for some of the game’s brightest young talents, all eyes are on international duty and helping to lead their team to glory at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which kicks off on Friday, November 10 in Indonesia. The tournament has been previously lit up by the likes of Phil Foden, Cesc Fabregas & Toni Kroos. Many big clubs will keep an eye on the tournament to get quality young players for their respective clubs.

As the FIFA U-17 World Cup 2023 approaches, we look at the top ten players worth watching in Indonesia:

10. Pau Cubarsi (Spain)

Pau Cubarsi is a player with a good body mass ratio, athleticism, and power who can develop very well physically shortly. Like many up-and-coming defenders, the 16-year-old is supremely comfortable when in possession, though it is his reading of the game at such a young age which makes him stand out from his peers. Very concentrated, intelligent, and committed player with a very good rate of individual and collective work.

9. Noah Darvich (Germany)

Noah Darvich is an advanced playmaker. He is able to play on the wing as well as in the mix of wide playmaker and winger. A very creative player with excellent technique on the ball, mobility, acceleration skills, fast direction shifts, short-dribbling, and good short-mid-through passing ability. Expect to see him play in an advanced midfield role in Indonesia having scored twice for Germany in their triumphant U17 Euros campaign earlier this year.

8. Claudio Echeverri (Argentina)

Claudio Echeverri is a fast, agile, dynamic and mobile player, a very vertical player who likes to have the ball at his feet and speed up the game with his progressive runs and passes, and excellent in combination play. He has great footwork and retention skills under pressure. Argentina have high hopes for Echeverri, who will captain his country in Indonesia after finishing as joint-top scorer at the South American U17 Championship in May with five goals from his attacking midfield role.

7. Marc Guiu (Spain)

Standing at 6’2″, Guiu’s height and physicality are his defining characteristics. Marc Guiu uses his size to his advantage perfectly, allowing him to excel in different facets of the game. His ability to hold up the ball, win aerial duels, and create space for his teammates adds a unique dimension to his team’s attacking play. Though not a natural goalscorer, the youngster too netted four times at the aforementioned U17 Euros, and Guiu is likely to be a handful for defenders to deal with when the tournament gets underway.

6. Mathis Lambourde (France)

Mathis Lambourde likes to play in an inverted role on the right where he can use his skills to beat defenders, cut inside, and create a decent opportunity to score from, very strong in 1v1 situations and confident of his skills. A player with ‘quick feet’ who’s incredibly explosive over the first meters, very good technique on the ball, fast direction shifts, and short-dribbling skills. France will be relying on him to lead them to the latter stages in Indonesia after playing a key role in them reaching the U17 Euros final earlier this year.

5. Lorran (Brazil)

Lorran is a versatile offensive player who can line up wherever around the front line. He has excellent physical strength, power, and natural fitness, as well as a very good body mass ratio. Has excellent close control, footwork, and dribbling abilities in confined spaces. He prefers to play in a free attacking role where he is allowed to move around the field and find openings.

The 17-year-old has emerged as one of the brightest midfield talents in world football and has already become the youngest player to ever score for Flamengo after making his debut for the Brazilian giants back in January.

4. Ethan Nwaneri (England)

Nwaneri is arguably one of the best youth prospects in England, having already been capped at U16 and U17 level for his country. A modern midfielder who sees the game differently from most revealing creativity, cleverness at his off-the-ball movements, great vision, and passing ability orchestrating or providing dynamism to the team’s build-up process with ease and effectiveness. England will look to him to provide the goals as they aim to win the U17 World Cup for the first time since Foden & Co. in 2017.

3. Amara Diouf (Senegal)

One of the youngest players at the tournament, Diouf arrives having led Senegal to their first U17 Africa Cup of Nations title in May, with his five goals enough to win both the Golden Boot and surpass Osimhen’s record for the most scored in a single tournament. Very unpredictable player who likes to vary his play by cutting inside, entering the penalty area, making quick combinations with his teammates, running to the by-line, or swapping wings. Many big clubs are already very keen on signing him.

2. Assan Ouedraogo (Germany)

He is a box-to-box midfielder with good playmaking skills. Very versatile and intelligent player who can play in various positions and roles in the midfield. A tall player with a great body mass ratio, physical strength, power, and natural fitness who feels comfortable in contact situations.

His creativity and passing skills allow him to provide some last-through/killer passes near or even inside the 18-yard opponent’s box. Makes many important tackles and interceptions thanks to his anticipation, ability in 1v1 duels, astute positioning, and intelligent use of his frame.

1. Estevao Willian (Brazil)

He is a player with a low centre of gravity, superb agility, body balance, changes of pace, and coordination, often uses his skills to beat defenders, cut inside, and create a decent opportunity to score from. A spectacular dribbler able to make effective solo runs to beat the defensive line. Arsenal and PSG have also previously shown an interest in signing a player who can operate anywhere across the forward line. He will be a key player for his team.

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