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As the Under-17 team from England has acclimated to their environment in Indonesia this week, they may have noticed an increase in activity around them. This is not just because their World Cup tournament begins on Friday, but also because it is a hub for the future of football and showcases how the sport has progressed. Numerous scouts and club representatives have journeyed here to witness the potential of the world’s upcoming talents. This future is approaching at a much faster pace nowadays.
The Under-20 World Cup used to hold this prestigious position, where Lionel Messi initially made a name for himself. But with the rapid pace of football nowadays, players at this level are expected to already be regularly playing at an elite level. Although Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala are still eligible, the average age of players in the sport has decreased due to advancements in tactics and science.
That is the reason why many clubs are focusing on the Under-17s, where potential is still the main factor. The 2017 champions of England were full of potential, with players such as Emile Smith Rowe, Conor Gallagher, Marc Guehi, Jadon Sancho, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Phil Foden all included in the squad.
Foden progressed from the U-17 team to the official World Cup, where he netted a goal for England in Qatar.
Several members of the current group have a high likelihood of replicating their success, both in their professional journeys and in leaving a similar mark on the tournament as their predecessors did in 2017.
The pick is probably Chelsea full-back – if that’s even the correct description – Josh Acheampong, who is one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe. He’s a modern inverted right-back who has exquisite technical ability but also breathless athleticism. The view in football is that he is as close to a modern-day hybrid player as you can get, with a real potential for more growth.
Almost every scout at the World Cup will be closely observing him, as he has been a consistent presence in the English youth teams at the 16, 17, and 18 age levels. He is currently wearing the number 2 jersey at the World Cup, but he is also capable of playing as a center-back and has the versatility to fill multiple positions.
One intriguing anecdote is about Tommy Setford, a goalkeeper who plays for Ajax alongside his older brother Charlie, who is also a goalkeeper. Their father, professional golfer Chris Setford, resided in the Netherlands for his job.
Myles Lewis-Skelly, a versatile midfielder, was highly sought after by top clubs in England, but ultimately chose to sign with Arsenal. He recently inked his first professional contract in the past month.
2019.
In October 2019, Myles Lewis-Skelly inked his initial official agreement with Arsenal as a professional player.
Joel Ndala, who previously qualified to play for the Democratic Republic of Congo, has now chosen to represent England and will be playing in the forward line. He is joined by Matty Warhurst, a Manchester City player who is renowned for his ability to play as a traditional No 9.
Potential standouts include Samuel Amo-Ameyaw of Southampton, Chris Rigg of Sunderland, and Michael Golding of Chelsea, all of whom play in midfield. Additionally, Lakyle Samuel, son of the late Jlloyd Samuel, is a promising centre-half at Manchester City.
The distribution of clubs within the squad provides insight into the current output of top youth academies. Chelsea and Manchester City have the most players, accounting for 10 out of 21, which aligns with the recent trend in junior level football.
Chelsea has six, Manchester City has four. Following them are Southampton with three, but two of those players – Amo-Ameyaw and Jayden Meghoma – have spent a significant portion of their training at Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal has two players, while Manchester United, Rangers, Luton Town, West Ham United, Sunderland and Ajax each have one.
Last season, Samuel Amo-Ameyaw was seen playing in a Premier League match against Liverpool.
Despite the success of English Premier League academies, England is not considered the top contender. That title belongs to Brazil, led by standout player Lorran Lucas from Flamengo, and also featuring Kaua Elias from Fluminense, Vitor Reis from Palmeiras, and Estevao Willian from the same team. Paris Brunner, a star player from Borussia Dortmund in Germany, will also be closely watched. However, it is worth noting that Spain’s Yamine Lamal was expected to participate but will not due to his success in the senior game.
Several of these may potentially be observed at the 2026 World Cup, not to mention the 2030 World Cup.
Source: independent.co.uk
