Sixteen players to watch at the U17 finals
Thursday, May 5, 2016
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A midfielder who has made his senior debut for Rangers, a prolific UEFA Youth League scorer and the son of a former international keeper are among our 16 to follow.
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Group A
Farid Nabiyev (Azerbaijan)
An attacking midfielder with fine vision, Qäbälä's Nabiyev can pass or shoot with either foot, is a good header and presides over corners and free-kicks.
Mile Svilar (Belgium)
The Anderlecht player featured at the recent UEFA Youth League finals weekend, keeping goal in a 3-0 loss to eventual winners Chelsea. He is the son of ex-Yugoslavia and Royal Antwerp custodian Ratko Svilar.
José Gomes (Portugal)
Gomes is a prolific striker from Benfica who shone in the 2015/16 UEFA Youth League, contributing seven goals as well as two assists.
Liam Burt (Scotland)
Able to change a game from his midfield berth, Burt played in last season's competition aged 15 and made his first-team bow for Rangers on 1 March against Raith Rovers.
Group B
Romano Schmid (Austria)
The Sturm Graz midfielder was only called up for Austria's elite round campaign due to injuries, but scored the decisive added-time winner against France.
Nedim Hadžić (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The forward's two elite-round strikes, particularly the only goal against Italy, further enhanced the reputation of Sarajevo's rising star.
Renat Dadachov (Germany)
The Leipzig front-runner is technically gifted and likes to drop deep to get on the ball. He will be keen to impress in his parents' home country.
Serhiy Buletsa (Ukraine)
A set-piece specialist, the Dynamo Kyiv midfielder claimed three goals in the elite round, including one direct from a corner against Turkey.
Group C
Jens Odgaard (Denmark)
With all the gifts of a true poacher, the Lyngby front man plundered five qualifying and elite round goals, including a treble against Scotland.
Reiss Nelson (England)
A quick-footed winger who can also fill the No10 role, the Arsenal youngster hit a goal a game during qualification – six from six.
Ervin Taha (France)
The 17-year-old forward scored three goals and provided an assist in qualifying. He has yet to make his professional debut at Bordeaux, but caught the eye with a splendid goal in a friendly tournament in April 2015 in Spain.
Joseph Colley (Sweden)
Signed by Chelsea in July 2015, Sweden's captain is equally happy at the heart of defence as in midfield. He made three appearances, all in the group stage, during Chelsea's triumphant 2015/16 UEFA Youth League campaign.
Group D
Moise Kean (Italy)
Born in Italy to Ivorian parents, this formidable striker is considered the jewel in Juventus's youth system. Strong in the air, he possesses a coruscating shot.
Tahith Chong (Netherlands)
A highly-rated product of Feyenoord's academy, the left-footed forward operates on either side of the attack, boasting explosive pace and a powerful shot.
Dejan Joveljić (Serbia)
The speedy Crvena zvezda attacker helped himself to three goals on the road to Azerbaijan. He can feature either up front or on the wing.
Oriol Busquets (Spain)
This defensive midfielder from the Barcelona academy is blessed with a good physique, composure on the ball and excellent reading of the game.
This article also appears in the official UEFA European Under-17 Championship final tournament programme. Download your copy.