England’s 2017 U17 World Cup winners now – from Nani’s godson to Arsenal star
England's national football team enjoyed unparalleled success in 2017 across their youth formats.
One of those successes was the U17 World Cup squad in India, who under current Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper scored 23 goals on their way to winning the tournament.
A side littered with potential generational prospects cemented their unbeaten run with a 5-2 win over Spain in the final. But while several have gone on to become stars, others' careers have since dwindled.
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GK – Curtis Anderson
Manchester City academy star Curtis Anderson conceded two goals in the final and four leading up to that stage against Mexico, USA and Brazil. Unfortunately, the tournament turned out to be the pinnacle of his footballing accomplishments to date.
With City already in possession of one of the Premier League’s top keepers in Ederson, the shot-stopper joined US side Charlotte Independence in 2019 before spells at Wycombe, Eastbourne Borough and most recently semi-professional side Lancaster City.
RB – Steven Sessegnon
The twin brother of Spurs’ Ryan Sessegnon, Steven featured as a lung-busting full-back throughout the tournament, featuring five times.
He is still a Fulham player, making 15 appearances in the 2019/20 season. Sessegnon has spent the past three seasons on loan at Bristol City, Plymouth Argyle and now Charlton.
CB – Marc Guehi
Arguably one of the biggest success stories from the World Cup-winning squad. The Chelsea academy star scored the fourth goal of the final to help England become champions.
Guehi sought a move to Crystal Palace in 2021, where he quickly made an impact and became a first team star. The centre-back has more than 50 appearances for Palace already and could be called up to the World Cup in Qatar by Gareth Southgate.
CB – Joel Latibeaudiere
Another prospect from the Man City academy. Joel Latibeaudiere played 90 minutes against Spain but was never given the chance to feature for City’s first team.
He joined Swansea City in 2020 and has made 10 appearances for the Swans this season in the Championship.
LB – Jonathan Panzo
Guehi built a connection with fellow Chelsea academy prospect Jonathan Panzo at left-back. Panzo went on to captain England’s U19s.
His move to Monaco in 2018 did not pay off, however, and after giving it another go in Ligue 1 for Dijon, Panzo returned to England with Nottingham Forest. He is currently on loan at Coventry in the Championship as a centre-back.
CM – Tashan Oakley-Boothe
The 6ft midfielder made just one League Cup appearance for boyhood club Spurs before being sold to Stoke City in the 2020 January transfer window. He is currently enjoying a loan spell at Lincoln City in League One, where he has made 11 appearances.
CM – George McEachran
The younger brother of former Chelsea wonderkid Josh McEachran impressed at the tournament but never managed to make a senior appearance for the Blues. He was sent out on loan to the Dutch second division twice before being released by the west Londoners in the summer.
McEachran is currently without a club.
CAM – Morgan Gibbs-White
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Attacking-midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White scored once against the USA in the quarter-finals and again in the final against Spain. After breaking into Wolves’ first team after the tournament and being heavily involved in 2018/19, he saw his game time limited in the following seasons.
Gibbs-White joined Nottingham Forest for £10m at the beginning of this season. He’s made 12 appearances for the newly promoted Premier League side and registered two assists.
FW – Phil Foden
Phil Foden was always destined for great things but his two goals in the final threw him into the limelight for everyone to see.
The Man City playmaker had to demonstrate patience before being entrusted by Pep Guardiola to take over the mantle from David Silva in midfield, but he has since done exactly that. Now a four time Premier League winner, Foden is nearing a hundred senior goals and assists for City while being a regular in the England set-up.
FW – Rhian Brewster
The former Liverpool academy star was one of England’s players of the tournament as he netted successive hat-tricks against the USA and Brazil during the u17 World Cup. His was unsurprisingly the name on everyone’s lips as he went on to bag a goal in the final.
Yet Brewster was unable to make an impression under Jurgen Klopp for the Reds and after a loan spell at Swansea, the striker joined Sheffield United in 2020. He has scored just five in 60 appearances for the Blades.
FW – Callum Hudson-Odoi
Callum Hudson-Odoi had an influential role in England’s U17 World Cup triumph despite netting just once.
But the winger hasn’t quite lived up to the lofty expectations of being one of the Chelsea academy’s most promising prospects, despite making over 100 appearances. He is currently on loan at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, where he is hoping to get his career back on track.
Substitutes
Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe scored against Iraq in the group stage and set up one of Brewster’s goals against Brazil in the semis. The attacking midfielder was suddenly given huge responsibility by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in the 2020/21 season but thrived as the Gunners’ creative midfielder.
He went on to enjoy his best campaign yet last season by netting 10 Premier League goals. A lengthy groin injury has since hampered his progress.
Angel Gomes
Former Manchester United prodigy Angel Gomes captained the side throughout the tournament, scoring once against Chile and coming on as a sub in the final.
The godson of ex-United winger Nani was tipped for big things but found first team opportunities hard to come by at Old Trafford, opting to leave in 2020 for Lille. Gomes has featured regularly for the French side since then but has not made the waves many thought he would have by this point.
Conor Gallagher
Chelsea academy graduate Conor Gallagher is now a fully-fledged Premier League regular. His loan move at Palace in the 2021/22 season saw him net eight goals from midfield and receive widespread attention for his work-rate.
Now giving it a go in the Chelsea first team, Gallagher has been rewarded with four England senior caps by Southgate.
Nya Kirby
Nya Kirby was brought on as a second-half substitute against Spain. The former Tottenham and Crystal Palace academy midfielder is currently without a club after being released by Palace at the end of last season.
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