I have chosen 8 strikers from the U17 Euros in Albania, I've chosen one from each nation. England, Portugal, Czech Republic, Belgium, Germany, France, Albania. I'll be describing how they are doing in the present, how the future looks and did they perform in Albania? So let's get started. Note: I chose these strikers out before the tournament started. Today, I discuss Group A. Group B to follow.
ALBANIA:
Name: Gabriel Kulla
Club: Sassuolo
Age Group: U20
International Age Group: Albania U19s
Gabriel Kulla was a player who I had eyes on before the tournament. Kulla featured for Albania who were automatically in the tournament as a host nation, but their form beforehand, wasn't to be frowned upon. In Round 1 qualifying, Albania played against Croatia, Netherlands and Faroe Islands. They lost 5-0 to Netherlands, drew 1-1 with Croatia and defeated Faroe Islands 1-0. Kulla scored all of Albania's goals. Albania then played against Poland in a friendly in which Kulla scored two in a 3-2 win. He then scored in a final game vs Azerbaijan in 4-1 win. However, Albania were drawn into the group of death at the U17 Group stage, Germany, France and winners Portugal. Albania lost 4-0 in every game and it wasn't a great tournament. However, In the 25/26 season, Gabriel netted 24 goals for club and country and is now scoring for Albania's U19s. In March, Kulla scored 5 goals in 3 games in U19 Euro Qualifying. So, after blanking at the final tournament, Kulla has been on fire since, decent choice in the end.
PORTUGAL:
Name: Anisio Cabral
Club: SL Benfica
Age Group: Benfica B
International Age Group: Portugal U19s
Anisio Cabral for me was a very easy choice for a goal machine at the U17 Euros. Anisio was absolutely scintillating in the U17 Euros qualifying. 6 goals in 6 games getting 2 assists too. Portugal went into the main tournament with confidence after scoring 27 goals in 6 games of qualifying. Cabral scored an 81st minute goal in the opening fixture Vs Albania. Anisio was pretty quiet for the rest of the tournament until he scored the opener in the final vs France in a 3-0 victory. Cabral then scored in a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia in his second Portugal U18 game. Anisio would then switch between U19s and U23s for Benfica before approaching the U17 World Cup in Qatar, where Anisio would explode. Anisio led Portugal to U17 WC glory and also won the golden boot with 7 goals. Anisio would also score the winner vs Austria in Qatar to bring it home. Anisio then scored on his Benfica debut Vs Estrela and began to be a substitute for the men's team and was on the bench vs Real Madrid! Then in February, Anisio scored an 86th minute winner vs Alverca for Benfica's men's team. Anisio is now a Portugal U19 and in autumn will help them qualify for the U19 Euros. Very Impressive.
FRANCE:
Name: Djylian N'Guessan
Club: Saint Etienne
Age Group: First Team
International Age Group: France U20s
Before the U17 Euros, Djylian was already heavily involved in the Saint Etienne first team last season, often featuring off the bench. In the qualifying leading up to the Euros, Djylian scored 5 goals in 3 games as France breezed past Greece, Denmark and Finland. Then it was time. Djylian scored 3 goals in 3 games in the groups Vs Germany, Portugal and Albania. N'Guessan then scored a decisive goal Vs Belgium which would send them to the final. Unfortunately they were defeated 3-0 by Portugal. But Dyjlian isn't done there. He was then called up for the U20 World Cup where he was the youngest in the squad. They reached the third place play off before defeat to Colombia. One month later, Djylian scored a senior goal for Saint Etienne vs Quetigny and has recently contributed to keeping Saint Etienne in Ligue 1 after they defeated Rodez in the Relegation/Promotion play off. He is the future. Not as much to say about him other than that he has more first team experience than others and is looking at a bright future.
GERMANY:
Name: Alexander Staff
Club: Eintracht Frankfurt
Age Group: Frankfurt II
International Age Group: U19
One thing that's fair to say, is that Staff loves a goal. Staff hit the headlines as at 16 years old he hit a hat trick Vs TSV Schott Mainz. He then scored 3 goals in 2 games vs Mexico and England. Staff scored 3 goals in 3 games in the U17 Euro qualifying vs Andorra, Belarus and Czech. He then hit the headlines again as he netted 4 goals against Hoffenheim U19s. He then scored another 3 goals in 3 qualifying games vs Spain, Norway and Austria. Unfortunately, Germany were grouped but Staff made his mark in a 4-0 win vs Albania. Then Staff scored 9 goals in 1 month for Frankfurt U19s. Staff then took to the U17 World Cup, he scored in a 7-0 thrashing of El Salvador, before a Ro32 shock exit to Burkina Faso. Not even 10 days later, Staff scored a hat trick vs Atalanta U19s in the UEFA Youth League. Staff had then been on Frankfurt's UCL bench vs Tottenham and Qarabag. Staff is now scoring goals for Germany U19s and scored 3 goals in 3 games vs Israel, Bosnia and Austria. He is on fire. Remember The Name.
MY OVERALL RATINGS:
Gabriel Kulla
Before Euros: 8/10
Euros: 4/10
After Euros: 9/10
21/30
Anisio Cabral
Before Euros: 9/10
Euros: 7/10
After Euros: 9/10
25/30
Djylian N'Guessan
Before Euros: 7/10
Euros: 8/10
After Euros: 10/10
25/30
Alexander Staff
Before Euros: 10/10
Euros: 5/10
After Euros: 9/10
24/30
