Top 5 English players to watch out for this U-17 World Cup.

Published at :September 29, 2017 at 9:41 PM

Modified at :September 29, 2017 at 9:41 PM

The Three Lions have always been known to have the brightest talents in World Football, and we take a look at the five best at their disposal at the World Cup.

English teams and their youth academies have been conventionally doing very well of late in nurturing homegrown talents. Raheem Sterling, John Stones, Dele Alli and Harry Kane are some of the prominent English homegrown talents who have been exceptional at one of the best and most challenging league one could compete in.

With U-17 World Cup set to be played next month, all eyes would be set on the 21 English talents who all could go on to bring glory back to the senior English National Team in future.

England U-17 squad has been announced and they will face Mexico, Chile and Iraq in the first round. The squad is full of prodigious talented lads eager to make this once in a blue moon opportunity count. No doubt, England are one of the firm favourites to win this competition.

We take a look at five names of the lot to look out for this tournament -

5) Rhian Brewster

Rhian Brewster is a former Chelsea starlet who's now plying his trade at Anfield since previous three seasons. Rhian Brewster is a physically strong, skilled striker with excellent finishing attribute. He was poised to be the first player born in 2000’s to appear in Premier League until Angel Gomes happened.

He features regularly for Liverpool U-18’s and often starts for U-23’s side too. He has scored on his U-23’s debut and has already won praise from the senior team coach Jurgen Klopp. Brewster idolises former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez and has admitted that he tries to copy Roberto Firmino.

4) Angel Gomes

Angel Gomes has already been compared with some of the finest midfielders to have graced the field. Dubbed as the future Manchester United star, Angel Gomes has been at United since the age of six.

He already has made his first-team debut after coming on as a substitute against Crystal Palace in a league game becoming the first player born in 2000’s to appear in Premier League and the youngest player to represent Manchester United since Duncan Edwards in the process.

Having missed UEFA Under-17 Championship of May 2017 due to an injury, Gomes would be keen to not let this opportunity get wasted and leave a big impact on the tournament and the fans.

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3) Callum Hudson-Odoi

Prominently a winger, Callum can also play as an attacking midfielder. He is one of the most in-form players of this talented bunch.

Last season he was involved in 17 goals in 24 games and was one of the main reasons why England reached the finals of UEFA U-17’s Championship. In the tournament, he scored three goals including one against Spain in the final and assisted another two.

This season too, he has started on a blazing run of good performances having scored one and assisted one in two UEFA Youth Champions League games for Chelsea. No wonder why Chelsea is very eager to hold on to him by giving him a three-year contract.

2) Phil Foden

The “Stockport Iniesta” (yes that's what they call him) or simply Phil Foden is a 17 year old Manchester City youth product who plays as an attacking midfielder. Foden has been at City since the age of eight and is been touted to be the next big thing at Etihad Stadium. Foden wants to fill the shoes of his long-term idol David Silva and has been often compared to him by senior team coach Pep Guardiola.

Playing as a midfielder last season, Foden scored 15 goals in 31 appearances for City's youth team and has also scored 10 goals in 16 games for England U-17s team including two in UEFA U-17s Championship.

Foden has already made his debut for City having played against arch-rivals United in a pre-season friendly where he impressed one and all. He will surely be a treat to watch when he steps on Indian football fields.

1) Jadon Sancho

If you follow English football, you might already be aware of Jadon Sancho. Jadon Sancho is already in line to play first team football this season with Borussia Dortmund having signed for them this transfer window after a fall-out with Manchester City.

Jadon Sancho is seen as the one who could replace Dembele and hence has been awarded the same jersey number as that of Dembele.

Sancho has scored 11 goals in 16 appearances for this England U-17s side and was named the best player of the recently concluded UEFA U-17s Championship.

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Sancho’s inclusion in the squad has started a fire between FA and his club as the club is of the opinion that he's not physically prepared for the tournament and might end up harming himself by participating in it.

England team will surely miss a player of his calibre if he doesn't get to play.