7 players to look out for in the tournament

pulse-ghana admin 11:16 - 05 October 2017

Pulse Sports takes a look at seven players who could lighten up the U-17 world cup in India.

It’s just a day more to the opening of the 2017 U-17 World Cup in India.

And as the world sets sights on the Asian country, there are also certain players that will be expected to lighten up the tournament.

In previous tournaments, there have always been stars born, with some going all the way to become international superstars and building impressive senior careers.

India 2017 offers another big platform for these youngsters to showcase their talents to the world, and to power the respective nations to glory.

But the main aim of this tournament is to help nurture youngsters in the game.

On the backdrop of this, Pulse Sports takes a look at seven players who could lighten up the U-17 world cup in India.

1. Eric Eyiah (Ghana)

Captain of Ghana’s U-17 side, Eric Ayiah grabbed all the headlines after U-17 Africa Nations tournament, with his four goals helping Ghana to the final.

The attacker, who loves to wear the no.6 jersey, was a kingpin in the Black Starlets side that placed second in that tournament, and has been widely tipped as one for the future.

Ayiah will again be leading Ghana in India, and will hope to show to the world his best form possible.

2. Abel Ruiz (Spain)

Perhaps the most highly-rated youngster in this year’s U-17 showpiece. Abel Ruiz is a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy.

The 17-year-old plays for the Barca B team, and has been tipped by many scouts to soon be promoted into the senior team set-up.

Ruiz currently has 17 goals for Spain at U-17 level – four of which he scored to propel the Spanish U-17 team to Euro glory.

3. Josh Sargent (USA)

The Werder Bremen man is undoubtedly one of the players to look out for in this year’s U-17 world cup.

Josh Sargent made history when he scored for the USA in the U-20 world cup – becoming the youngest player to ever score in the tournament for the USA.

The 17-year-old is one of the hot shots in US football currently, and should prove to be one of the stars of the tournament.

4. Aniket Jadhav (India)

India is not known to be a world footballing force, however, one player who gives hope to Indians who love the game is Aniket Jadhav.

The diminutive winger is the star man in the Indian U-17 team, and will look to bring his A-game as the hosts bid for to make an impact on home soil.

Jadhav’s pace is his biggest strength, and on a good day can run down any defense in the tournament.

5. Emmanuel Toku (Ghana)

Sixteen-year-old playmaker, Emmanuel Toku, is definitely the star man for Ghana at the U-17 world cup in India.

Toku was adjudged the best player at the U-17 Africa Nations Championships, following his stellar outings for the Black Starlets.

He was subsequently courted by Europe’s bug guns, including Manchester City, Lyon and PSG. The 16-year-old is one of very few playmakers who adds lots of goals to his game, and is one to look out for in the tournament.

6. Amine Gouiri (France)

Amine Gouiri emerged as one the top scorers at the Euro U-17 championships with a record-equaling eight goals.

The Lyon striker is normally a handful for opposition defenders, as his pace and trickery make him a daunting prospect to defend against.

Gouiri will be lining up for the French U-17 side and will hope to translate his form from the Euros into the world cup.

7. Jadon Sancho (England)

The young winger is rated as one of the brightest prospects in English football at the moment. Sancho was an integral member of the English U-17 side that emerged as runners-up in the UEFA European U-17 championships, and was even voted player of the tournament.

His club, Borussia Dortmund, showed how highly they rate him by handing him the no.7 shirt immediately after the departure of Ousmanne Dembele to Barcelona.

The 17-year old boasts some good dribbling skills, a unique eye for pass and will be one of the players to look out for in India.