El Chadaille Bitshiabu
The towering centre-back will be the rock at the heart of the France backline during the U-17 Euros, where he’ll be keen to bring his outstanding form from Paris Saint-Germain’s Youth League campaign to bear in Israel.
He’s already featured for Mauricio Pochettino’s side at senior level, although with his route to more playing time with PSG’s first team arguably blocked, the likes of Bayern Munich, ManchesterCity and RB Leipzig are all understood to be monitoring his services.
Dario Essugo
With experience already of having played with Portugal’s U-19 team, Essugo has the potential to dominate contests at the U-17 Euro.
He’s already become Sporting Lisbon’s youngest ever player—a remarkable achievement at such an institution—and the youngster, who’s also eligible for Angola, should impress with his defensive qualities and work with the ball.
Elyaz Zidane
Son of French footballing royalty, Zinedine’s son Elyaz certainly has some high standards to live up to, although having progressed through the ranks at Real Madrid, he’s well used to demanding environments.
Eligible for both Algeria and Spain, Zidane jr is turning out for France at the U-17 Euros, and while he’s the youngest of Zidane’s four boys, he may turn out to be the most exciting.
Antoni Milambo
Feyenoord’s youngest ever first team player, Milambo made his debut for the Dutch giants only four months and nine days after his 16th birthday—testament to his maturity and his raw ability.
Eligible for the Democratic Republic of Congo, but featuring for the Netherlands at the U-17 showpiece, Milambo has the quality to hurt teams between the lines, and there won’t be too many players at the tournament who already have experience of playing in senior level continental club competitions.
Gabriel Misehouy
Yet another Dutch wonderkid to make our shortlist, Misehouy could also represent Ghana’s Black Stars, although appears primed for a long international career with the European heavyweights.
Comfortable as a No. 8 or in a more advanced attacking role, Misehouy has already tasted senior football with Jong Ajax in the Dutch second tier, and having been linked with both Chelsea and ManchesterCity, he appears destined for great things.
Isaac Babadi
The third Dutch player to make our selection, Babadi will be able to choose the Netherlands or Sierra Leone when it’s his time to make his decision at senior level.
For now, he’s one of the stand-out players in the Oranje’s U-17 team, where his creative abilities just off the striker or from the left flank should make him a key asset in Israel.
He’s certainly got PSV Eindhoven fans excited, and having just turned 17 last month, his future looks particularly bright.
