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The England national team have long been criticized for having star names but failing to produce when matters on the big stage but that seems to have taken quite a turn as their youth outfits had an impressive summer in various major tournaments.
Their U20 side won the FIFA U20 World Cup, the first FIFA tournament the Three Lions have won since the days of Sir Bobby Charlton and Sir Bobby Moore, while their U19 side won the UEFA U19 Euros. Although they crashed out from the U21 Euros in the semi finals, the most disappointing result was for their U17 side, who lost to Spain on penalties in the U17 Euro final, a result the Young Lions would surely like to put behind them as they set their sights on the World Cup.
The England U17 side have plenty of players, all of whom are touted to become the next big for their country in the years to come with some putting on impressive displays while playing for the youth sides of major Premier League clubs. We look at 5 players to watch out for in the England U17 side.
#1 Jadon Sancho
When Pep Guardiola asks you to join his first team training session and even tells you to not be afraid to take players on, you have to be someone special. Jadon Sancho is one of the hottest young English prospects at the moment and has attracted attention from major European clubs already. The 17-year-old was born in London and started his career at Watford at age 7 and in March 2015 was signed by Manchester City after causing quite a stir with his attacking displays for the Watford Academy.
He was a key figure in the City team that went to the FA Youth Cup final last year and was England's main player and top goal scorer in the recently concluded UEFA U17 Euros. He scored five and assisted five in the Young Lions' six matches which won him the UEFA Golden Player of the Tournament award, the previous recipients of which include world beaters like Wayne Rooney, Cesc Fabregas, and Toni Kroos. Sancho recently sealed his move to Borussia Dortmund after a summer of speculation and will be wearing the number 7 shirt vacated by Ousmane Dembele. A major move for a player who could light up the U17 World Cup in India.
#2 Rhian Brewster
A talented striker with an eye for goal, Brewster will be one of the key figures in England's attacking plans. He arrived at his present club Liverpool from Chelsea as a 15-year-old two years ago and since then made a rapid progress through the ranks at the club.He put on an impressive display for the Red's U18 side, which got him promoted to the U23's for whom he scored his first goal in January this year in a 3-0 victory over Ipswich in the Premier League Cup. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was impressed with the youngster and hence handed him a first team shirt and even put him on the bench against Crystal Palace earlier this year.
Brewster is a regular in the present England U17 side and can be touted to have a big influence in his side's performances in the coming World Cup.The London-born striker has scored 12 times in 17 international appearances this season for the Young Lions, three of which came in the six matches in the U17 Euros.
#3 Angel Gomes
Gomes is considered as one of the best youth prospects to come out of Manchester United's Academy in recent years, and in his time with the club, the youngster has even managed to oust Wayne Rooney to become the youngest recipient of the prestigious Jimmy Murphy award, given to the best young player of the year after he scored 12 goals in 19 starts for the U18s.
The 17-year-old, who is highly regarded by Jose Mourinho, debuted for United last season as he came on as a substitute for Wayne Rooney and became the second youngest player for the club since the great Duncan Edwards. Gomes has already captained England at U16 and U17 levels.
He scored four minutes into his debut while captaining his nation to a 3–1 victory over Belgium in August 2016. He even played a part in England's European Championship qualifiers but eventually missed out on the tournament through injury. The attacking midfielder is one of the hottest upcoming talents and after his recent U18s call up could very well be back for the Young Lions in the FIFA U-17 World Cup
#4 Phil Foden
Phill Foden is one of Pep Guardiola's favourites and among the top talents to come through the Manchester City Academy in recent years. Guardiola has been so impressed by the England midfielder that he has already included him in previous first team squads, even as recent as City's 2-1 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League this season where the youngster was on the bench.
The Stockport-born midfielder was the crux of the England U17s that reached the U17 Euro final this summer. Foden can play both centrally and down the wings and has been successful in his role for the Young Lions. He scored four goals in six matches during the U17 Euro qualification and scored two more in his six outings during the tournament phase. Foden, who could very well be a part of Guardiola's plans for City this season, would be an essential figure during England's World Cup campaign in India.
#5 Lewis Gibson
Lewis Gibson was considered one of the brightest young talents at Newcastle United academy, which has subsequently seen the England U17s defender seal a £1.10 million move to Everton this transfer window. Gibson was long monitored by a lot of other Premier League clubs, but it's the blue half of Merseyside who have snapped him up.
The 17-year-old operates as a left back by trade, but can also play as a centre-back.The Durham-born defender had made 118 appearances for the Newcastle U18 side which earned him a call up for both the Newcastle reserves and the England U17 side. He cemented his place in the team and became one of the constant members of the England U17 side, starting all their matches in both qualification and the tournament phase of the U17 Euros concluded earlier this summer. Gibson is expected to lead the defensive line for the Young Lions during their visit to India this summer.
