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Tor Christian Carlsen, ESPN
As the FIFA U-17 World Cup enters its decisive phase – without England or any Concacaf representatives – here is a list of 12 talents who have stood out over the first four matches of the tournament. As always, Brazil are strongly represented, even without Real Madrid-bound Indrek – and Spain progressed to the quarter-finals despite the absence of Barcelona’s impressive star, Lamine Yamal.
Meanwhile, surprise Mali and Uzbekistan also qualified for the quarter-finals with squads made up entirely of homegrown talent. We take a look at the rising names that have excited Indonesian fans.
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Claudio Echeverri, 17 years old, River Plate /Argentina
Having already been on the scouts’ shortlist for several top European clubs, Echeverry’s stock has certainly not dipped after the first four games in Indonesia. Echeverri, along with his teammates Agustin Roberto and Santiago Lopez, formed a formidable attacking force for Argentina. Not only do Argentina have the best generation of youngsters in years, they also appear to have brought in the next world number 10.
Technically brilliant, coupled with great vision and a powerful right-footed shot (his opening goal against Japan was a brilliant free-kick from 25 metres), the River Plate prodigy chooses intelligent positions between the lines and makes great use of his brilliant shot. Intuitive passing skills. Thanks to the same positional awareness, he is also fully capable of making intelligent late runs to finish with one-touch crosses or cuts. As difficult as it is to predict what lies ahead for a 17-year-old, there is every chance that the charismatic Echeveri could soon end up playing for one of the Champions League giants.
Kawa Elias, 17 years old, Street, Fluminense / Brazil
The joint top scorer at the South American Under-17 Championship has picked up where he left off in Ecuador in April. Elias, a powerful and compact centre-forward, leads the line well for Brazil by stretching the opposition defense with his pace and willingness to play off the shoulders of the midfielders.
In addition to being distinguished (at this age group) by his physical strength (useful for resilience purposes), the No. 9 is also effective in the penalty area, pouncing on counters and always on hand to test the goalkeeper with his quick execution. Goals (four goals so far). His good technical ability also makes him able to overcome defenders in difficult situations and create opportunities even in the absence of support.
Estevao Willian, 16 years old, striker, Palmeiras / Brazil
Despite only coming on as a substitute in Brazil’s opening match against Iran (a shock 2-3 defeat), Estévão gained momentum with the rest of the team. Arguably one of the most sought-after players in a star-studded squad, the 16-year-old has attracted rave reviews from his performances at youth level at home and showed some of his impressive talent in the 2-1 win over England. .
His nickname ‘Missinho’ offers some clues as to what he brings to the team: a left-footed player with amazing acceleration on and off the ball, and great body control (he’s adept at quick turns and changes of direction) as well. Such as the ability to hit the ball with power and accuracy from long range (including free kicks), as demonstrated against Ecuador where his brace sent Brazil through to the quarter-finals.
Dodo, 17 years old, Atletico Paranaense/Brazil
While Elias and Estévão (plus fellow striker Rayan) attract the biggest headlines, some scouts are praising the main instigator of the Brazilian free agent attack, Dudu. The left-footed No.10 (or 8) has registered an average of five key passes per game in Indonesia, with opponents yet to figure out how to keep the playmaker calm as he takes up intelligent positions in the half-spaces or drops deep to get the ball early in the game. Build the attack.
Dudu is adept at calling and setting up combinations in the final third, and has a highly developed football IQ for his age. His other intriguing qualities include tremendous set-pieces (particularly swinging corner kicks) and his knack for timing third-man movements into the penalty area. Which is unusual for a player who is so creative, he is also stubborn and rarely avoids pressing duties.
Joel Ndala, 17, striker, Manchester City/England
Not only did the Manchester City winger earn a place in the knockout stages thanks to a last-minute winner against Iran – a rather complicated shot which he smashed into the net from an almost impossible angle – but he was also England’s main threat man throughout the tournament. The tournament leaves Indonesia with the impression that the teenager is going through an interesting period of development. Bearing some similarities to Jeremy Doku, the Manchester-born right-footed winger possesses a tremendous change of pace and highly developed off-the-ball movement that often sees him receiving the ball on the defender’s blindside.
His sharp one-for-one abilities as well as great balance enable him to turn quickly and make a false mark (in any direction) with extremely fast body tricks. Entertaining and productive, it is only a matter of time before Ndala gets his first minutes at first-team level (ostensibly in a loan move).
Joachim Kay Sanda, 16, midfielder, Valenciennes/France
The fact that France reached the quarter-finals without conceding a single goal on the way indicates a strong and well-organized team rather than an amazing team. There is no doubt that some of the merit of the perfect defensive record goes to the central defensive duo of Bastien Meubio (Nantes) and Kai Sanda.
Although there is not much quality between them and neither made a single mistake in the entire tournament, the latter plays with an aura that belies his age. In fact, the French captain earned his first-team debut in Ligue 2 for Valenciennes before leaving for the Under-17s. Calm, dominant, physically strong, excellent in the air and a confident passer, bigger clubs are likely to follow in the coming months for Kaye Sanda.
Noah Darvitch, 17 years old, Barcelona/Germany
The German captain is another left-footed prodigy – they seem to look thick and fast on the world stage – and is richly deserving of accolades in Indonesia. Signed by Barcelona in August (€2.5m) from Freiburg as just a youngster, Darvić could get a chance to prove himself at first-team level following Javi’s long-term injury.
The elegant and technically advanced midfielder – who is equally comfortable playing as a number 8 or 10 or as an inverted winger on the right – certainly has Barcelona written all over him. Great tactical judgment mixed with first-class movement – his opening goal against Mexico is a fitting example – and a brilliant first touch makes everything he does look effortless and deliberate. Never in a hurry and with a clear mental picture of the action around him and the flow of the game, the 17-year-old already looks ready to take on bigger challenges than what the youth level can offer him.
Sekou Kone, 17, DM, Guedars Football Club/Mali
One of several standout players in Mali’s impressive side in which the strikers have attracted the most attention (unsurprising after scoring 13 goals in the first four matches), Kone has made a major impact in midfield. Not only is he a great athlete covering vast areas, the 17-year-old is also fluid on the ball – his delivery of long passes and switches is a particular joy to watch – and his first-class positional skills allow him to anticipate the path of the ball in Early time for objections.
Despite losing to Spain 1-0 (Mali’s only defeat), Kone showed that he has just as much consistency when the tempo of the match picks up a few notches. Against one of the pre-tournament favourites, the mobile defensive midfielder registered no less than nine tackles, while his ability to identify deep passes saw him make three key passes as well. An exciting prospect who is said to join RB Salzburg when he turns 18.
Taha Benrahzil, 17 years old, goalkeeper of the Mohammed VI Football Academy / Morocco
What the Moroccan goalkeeper may lack in height, he makes up for with amazing reflexes, perfectly timed exits, and not least a larger-than-life personality. At 17 years old, Bennerhüzel presents a rare but refreshing image as a goalkeeper, playing with a high-risk temperament and a hot temper.
Although his style may not be to everyone’s taste, seeing a teenage goalkeeper improvise and stick to his own flamboyant style is quite rare. The strange lack of aerial interception – mainly due to its relatively modest altitude – does not seem to bother it much. Instead, Player #1 quickly picks himself up and returns to the line to be ready for whatever may come. As written in the stars, Benrozelli also became the Moroccan hero when he saved the decisive penalty kick that saw the North African team defeat Iran (on penalties) in the first round of the knockout.
Yaya Demi, 17 years old, striker, Diambars/Senegal
Senegal were dealt a major blow when their star player, 15-year-old Amara Diouf, was injured after scoring twice in their opening match against Japan. With Diouf failing to return in time for subsequent matches, other Senegalese attacking players stepped up in his place.
16-year-old winger Yaha Diame was particularly bright, serving as a constant thorn in the side of defenders before losing his steam towards the end of matches. Despite losing to France on penalties in the round of 16, the Africans were on top for long periods of the match and it was Diame in particular who provided the main threat down the right wing as the French failed to cope with his acceleration, turns and brilliance. Of creativity.
Pau Cobarci, 16 years old, midfielder, Barcelona/Spain
In a Spain squad that featured no less than eight Barcelona players (and there could easily be another if Yamal wasn’t busy playing for the first team), the elegant centre-back emerged as the best defender in the competition. Although the Catalan side may not be known for producing central defenders, the 16-year-old is sure to have a promising future at the highest level.
As expected from a La Masia player, he is exceptionally consistent on the ball, picking up passes with both feet. With a large number of fast strikers in the tournament, his speed was also tested, and although speed is not his primary strength, he handled speed duels well through good timing and positioning. Perhaps less unexpectedly, Koparci is also a strong defender in the penalty area – handling aerial duels well and being alert for rebounds and loose balls.
Amirbek Saidov, 17, striker Bunyodkor/Uzbekistan
Along with captain Lazybek Mirzaev, Saidov was Uzbekistan’s best player and posed a constant threat throughout the tournament. Although built like a centre-forward, he is more of a movement-based striker and always looks to run behind the opposition’s backline rather than receive the ball with his feet.
That talent was clearly highlighted against Spain when Saidov broke the offside trap – thanks to VAR intervention after the goals were disallowed for the first time – to score both goals in Uzbekistan’s thrilling 2-2 comeback. Although he may not be too concerned about his pressing duties or defensive work, he is quick, sharp, recognizes advantageous positions and is capable of finishing with both feet, proving to be a rather effective goal poacher.
