Football Wonderkid Scout

The annual Uefa European Under-17 Championships was held in Liechtenstein this year and as always serves as a preliminary competition for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, held every other year. The tournament which showcases some of the finest talent in football, usually gives spectators an insight into the next superstars of tomorrow. Previous players to have come out of the tournament include Wayne Rooney, Fernando Torres and Cesc Fabregas. Going into the tournament, Spain were hot favourites having won the competition twice in the last three years and did not disappoint after reaching the final. However, it was England who emerged as winners after coming from behind to win the tournament for the first time in a high-quality final against a talented Spanish side. Looking at players who caught the eye at the championships, it was perhaps Spain's potent attacking force which impressed the most. The star of the tournament was arguably Paco Alcácer who captained Spain to a runner-up finish and led by example. While he drew a blank in the final, Paco went on to score six goals in the finals, including a winner against France, a hat-trick against Switzerland and two in the semi-final against Turkey. His goals equalled the best since the showpiece stage was reduced to eight teams in 2002/03 and was also top scorer in qualifying with eight to become the most prolific player since the U17 classification was introduced in 2001/02. He now joins a prestigious roll of honour which includes names such as Bojan Krkić and Toni Kroos. Currently playing in the youth ranks at Valencia, Los Che fans may well have a readymade replacement for the world's best striker in Alcácer. Even though he is only 16, teams have been watching Paco for a very long time. Valencia signed him at the age of 11 after beating off interest from Real Madrid. Paco's decision to chose Valencia was mainly because he wanted to be close to his family who come from the province of Valencia, in a town called Torrent which is the same town as highly rated defender Joel Johnson Alajarín. An intelligent player who is good in the air and with devastating finishing ability, Alcácer is arguably one of the worlds most promising talents and Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly monitoring his progress. Valencia coach Unai Emery has already stated that the prolific marksman will be included in the senior side's pre-season training.

Helping Paco Alcácer in Spain's imaginative attacking play, were two superb Spanish wingers in Gerard Deulofeu and Jesé Rodríguez, both blessed with skill and pace. Of the two, it was perhaps Barcelona's Gerard who was most impressive after scoring twice in the group stage against Portugal, including one straight from a corner. Gerard began playing in the youth ranks of Barca with the Benjamin A's in 2003. A player of exceptional technical qualities, he is an intelligent player who usually operates on the left. A specialist in one-on-one situations due to his superb close control, he is very difficult to stop at full pace and he is also a great passer of the ball with superb vision. Still a cadet, this season Deulofeu played with the Juvenil B side La Masia and was one of the key players in Sergi Barjuan's league winning side. In June 2010, Gerard signed his first professional contract with Barcelona. Jesé Rodríguez who is currently playing his trade at Real Madrid is known for his raw pace, skill and trickery and is possibly the finest prospect in Real Madrid's Cadat class of Cantera. A player who can operate wide on the flanks or as a striker, has imagination and clinical finishing ability. In the centre of midfield was Sevilla Atletico's José Campaña who helped to pull the strings and gave Spain a link between the defence and attack. Barcelona right-back Edu also proved his worth and has excellent pace and was good getting forward and supporting Jesé Rodríguez.

Tournament winners England had talent throughout their team from Garbutt in defence to Joshua McEachran supporting the attack. The last success for England was at the European Under-18 Championships in 1993 when the team included Robbie Fowler, Paul Scholes, Sol Campbell and Gary Neville. Leading the front line for England was the formidable pair of Benik Afobe, who currently plays for Arsenal and Connor Wickham who is already a first team regular at Ipswich Town. While Wickham did not score in the group stages he was an influential and key figure who went on to score two in the semi-final defeat of France and the winner against Spain. Despite only recently turning 17, the highly-rated striker is already 6ft 4 inches and recently signed his first professional contract. Hailed as the next Wayne Rooney, Wickham possesses outstanding ability for his age and has been linked with the Premier League's big four. During the tournament, Wickham showed he has a good all round game and looks physically ready for the demands of the English game. Strike partner Afobe also impressed and seems to have gone from strength to strength since exploding on the scene for Arsenal's Under-16's in 2007 with 40 goals in 33 appearances. A powerful, energetic, strong and pacy forward, Benik joins a growing list of promising youth players who have been rewarded with professional contracts this season at Arsenal. In goal, England's hero of the hour was Birmingham City's Jack Butland who was on the bench for England's first two wins. Replacing Smauel Johnstone against Turkey in the final group game having already qualified, the tall keeper's performance was so impressive he retained his place and aided England to victory as they held on to beat Spain 2-1 in the final. Spain scored after Butland was beaten at his near post by a deflected shot that put Spain in front, but the Three Lions hit back with goals through Andre Wisdom and Connor Wickham, and it was Butland who was on hand on the hour mark to make a stunning save to push away a shot by Real Madrid's Jesé Rodríguez. At the back providing strength and stability was former Leeds player Luke Garbutt who is now at Everton and has already appeared several times for the first team already. In midfield there was the impressive duo of Liverpool and England captain Conor Coady and Chelsea's Joshua McEachran who suported the attack.

Reaching the semi-final was a very talented France team, inspired by players like Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Stade Rennais FC's Abdoulaye Doucouré. Pogba who was signed from French club Le Harve is rated as one of France's brightest prospects and was also wanted by Arsenal. A tall, powerful and commanding player, he has been likened to Patrick Vieira. Up front, France's Yaya Sanogo looks an exciting prospect and scored two goals in four games. The pick of Portugal's rising talent include Sporting Clube de Portugal striker Ricardo Esgaio who scored twice in the opening group game against Switzerland in a 3-0 victory. However, it was perhaps 15 year-old winger Bruma of Sporting who was our man of the match for the game. Portugal's main strengths were its defence which conceded only three goals in the whole finals, two of them late on against Spain when Rui Bento's side had to chase a big win. Tiago Ferreira of FC Porto was commanding, good in the air and formed a good partnership in central defence with Tobias Figueiredo. Turkey who made it to the semi-finals also boasted a number of impressive youngsters and much of the talk will be on captain Artun Akçakin, but it was VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach winger Taşkın Çalış who caught the eye with a number of impressive performances. The tricky number seven equalised in the semi-final game with Spain and possesses pace, skill and excellent vision.