FIFA U-17 World Cup: Top five players who have caught the eye in India

Dheeraj Moirangthem was one of the main reasons why India did not concede more goals. (Source: PTI)

The Indian goalkeeper is one of the main reasons why his team did not concede more than what they did. Dheeraj became a bit of a fan favourite in Delhi. This was evident from the fact that the crowd cheered every time he made one of his monster throws after which he almost does a cartwheel in the follow-through. Goalkeepers often tend to fly under the radar despite their immense contribution into the team’s results. In Dheeraj’s case, though, he is the one who has caught the eye most.

Alan

Alan was told that he could be for Brazil what Iniesta is to Spain.

The Sao Paolo academy staff told him that he could be to Brazil what Andres Iniesta is to Spain. He is one of the shortest players in the squad but his freekicks have been used to devastating effect. He has been so good in the tournament and throughout the year that Real Madrid are reportedly ready to shell out $50 million to bring him to their academy.

Phil Foden

Phil Foden sprung up in England’s knock-out matches. (Source: PTI)

Foden came as one of the three most talked about England players. He came alive in the knockouts and his work rate down the flanks and crosses into the middle were a big reason why England trounced Brazil. Foden is reagarded as one of the brightest prospects in the Manchester City academy and it will be interesting where his career goes from here.

Rhian Brewster

Rhian Brewster followed up his hat-trick against USA with three goals against Brazil. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Consecutive hat-tricks in the knockout stage of any tournament is always something to be proud. Brewster has done that in a World Cup. His performance against United States and Brazil earned him plaudits back home in Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp said recently that Brewster had “become a man.” Steve Gerrard had already earmarked him as a bright prospect.

Abel Ruiz

Abel Ruiz is learning his craft at Barcelona. (Source: Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar)

Ruiz has proven himself to be a captain as much as a goalscorer. He wore the armband when Spain defeated England earlier in the year to lift the Euro Under-17 title and it is his goals and work rate that has taken his side to the final of the World Cup. He is learning his craft at Barcelona B, probably the reason why he remains a striker as much as he is a midfielder