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      How Kroenke family may have SAVED Arsenal from Everton-style fate with huge decision five years ago

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      THE Kroenke family may have inadvertently saved Arsenal from suffering an Everton-style penalty. Everton were handed a ten-point deduction that has seen them plummet into the relegation zone after being found guilty of breaching Premier League Financial Fair Play rules.
      David Ornstein explained how a decision from Stan Kroenke five years ago may have saved Arsenal from an Everton-style fateCredit: PA
      Everton-linked Alisher Usmanov was brought out of Arsenal five years agoCredit: EPA
      Josh Kroenke has been heavily involved in the running of the club during their rise up back up the tableCredit: Getty
      The Toffees recorded heavy financial losses of £124.5million over the past three years. This is £19.5m over the Prem’s budget of £105m.
      Part of these losses came as a result of Alisher Usmanov, a former shareholder in Arsenal, seeing his assets frozen in light of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
      Everton suspended its partnership with Usmanov’s holding company USM which had a five-year deal worth more than £12m.
      Usmanov held over 30 per cent of shares in the Gunners as of October 2013, before accepting a £550m bid for his shares in Arsenal from Stan Kroenke in 2018.
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      And it has been suggested by David Ornstein that the North London club could have suffered a similar fate to Everton had things worked out differently.
      Speaking on Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE, he said: “You’ll look at clubs like Arsenal for example who had, as a large minority shareholder, Alisher Usmanov at some point.
      “Who with Farhad Moshiri moved over to Everton and a lot of the problems Everton are facing are due to the loss of money that was on behalf of Usmanov.
      “You could say that might have been Arsenal had things worked out differently and KSE, the Kroenke family hadn’t taken full control.”
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      Amid Ornstein’s hypothetical argument, there has never a suggestion that Arsenal have broken FFP rules.
      Ornstein continued: “There were so many questions about why aren’t you spending more money for so many years.
      “And clubs like Arsenal, now Manchester United and even Newcastle under their Saudi ownership are saying ‘we can’t because of financial fair play rules and profit and sustainability.’
      “‘We don’t want to break them because of the potential consequences’, and perhaps now we are seeing why they were so firm on that.
      “And maybe their supporters will give back a little bit of credit or reduce their frustration that they expressed at lack of spending because if you’re not careful it could be you in this position.
      “Ultimately, whatever the politics or agenda around this – and there will be so much conversation and conspiracy theory – the Premier League are clearly trying to get tough and show they can govern properly and create a league that has the trust of the people.” More

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      Juventus ‘meet Thomas Partey agents as they look to push through huge triple transfer’ amid Jadon Sancho speculation

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      JUVENTUS have met with Arsenal ace Thomas Partey and his representatives ahead of the January transfer window.Juve have identified Partey as the perfect replacement to fill in for the suspended Paul Pogba, who tested positive for banned substance DHEA which naturally boosts testosterone production.
      Juventus have held a meeting with Arsenal ace Thomas ParteyCredit: Alamy
      Juventus have also been linked with Manchester United outcast Jadon SanchoCredit: Getty
      Pogba also returned a second positive sample and now faces a lengthy ban which could see the end of his career at top level.
      The star midfielder will face an anti-doping tribunal, and if found guilty, the 30-year-old could be banned for up to four years.
      According to Foot Mercato, Juventus are thinking ahead and that is why they held a meeting with Partey as well as his agents to discuss a potential move in the winter market.
      Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been deprived of the midfielder throughout the season following another string of injuries that have limited him to a mere five appearances across all competitions.
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      The Ghana international played a big part in the Gunners’ push for the Premier League title last term but it seems like Arteta is planning for life without him after the arrival of Declan Rice last summer.
      However, Partey is not the only player Juventus are looking to sign in the New Year.
      The Bianconeri are also looking to complete a deal for Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi and Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski.
      And Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri wants club chiefs to move quickly.
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      The Serie A giants have also been linked with a shock swoop for Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho.
      United appear open to letting Sancho go after his public spat with manager Erik ten Hag in September saw him being axed from the first team.
      However, the Red Devils have refused to talk with the Italians about a possible loan deal as Ten Hag’s side prefers to sell the winger outright. More

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      Aaron Ramsdale to return to Arsenal first-team and replace David Raya in club’s first match since keeper’s dad’s rant

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      AARON RAMSDALE is set to return to Arsenal’s Premier League starting XI for the first time since September next weekend.The England man last started a game in the Premier League for the Gunners against Manchester United in Arsenal’s fourth league game of the season.
      Aaron Ramsdale will come back in for David Raya against BrentfordCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      That preceded the season’s first international break and since then Ramsdale has been dropped in favour of Brentford loanee David Raya.
      Ramsdale has instead been limited to Carabao Cup appearances against Brentford and West Ham.
      Arsenal’s no2 will step back into his former first-choice role against Brentford with Raya being ineligible to face his parent club.
      Raya’s agent claimed that Arsenal wanted to sign Raya outright but were prevented in doing so by FFP regulations.
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      So Raya is instead a £3 million Brentford loanee with Arsenal having the option to buy the Spaniard for £27m.
      It is widely expected that Arsenal will activate the buy clause this summer.
      Ramsdale’s chances of making a return as Arsenal’s no1 were harmed by a recent interview with Ian Wright where he said: “If you ask me to concentrate on a game of football for 90 minutes I’m finished. I can’t do it.
      “So that’s why I get involved with the fans and I’ll sing along with the songs.
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      “If someone’s giving me abuse I’ll turn around and I’ll give them a bit back.”
      Ian Wright looked stunned at Ramsdale’s admission before the keeper continued: “I’ve had my two/three minutes of sort of madness in my head, straight back to the football.
      “I’ve got 10/15 minutes of total concentration again – next thing you know half time is around.”
      Meanwhile Ramsdale’s father, Nick, this week hit back at critics of his son last week and labelled them a “disgrace”.
      He said: “It’s the unfounded stuff you find difficult. Football is all about opinion.”
      Ramsdale’s father was particularly angry about Jamie Carragher’s accusation that Ramsdale played up to the cameras when he applauded an excellent Raya save.
      He said: “Sometimes you find it difficult. Mr Carragher was talking like my lad was a phoney but he doesn’t know Aaron, he doesn’t know if he’s a phoney or not.
      “He was on Sky judging my son and he doesn’t even know him.” More

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      I spent seven years at Arsenal then quit for controversial Chelsea transfer – I had to find a new path

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      OMARI HUTCHINSON has insisted that the decision to quit Arsenal and join rivals Chelsea was right – despite making just TWO first-team appearances.The 20-year-old winger generated a lot of buzz and excitement when he joined the Blues from the Gunners in the summer of 2022.
      Omari Hutchinson is hoping to fire Ipswich Town to promotion this termCredit: Getty
      He controversially quit Arsenal to join Chelsea in 2022Credit: Getty
      He appeared to be on the verge of making the breakthrough at Arsenal under Mikel Arteta after his inclusion in a number of matchday squads towards the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
      However, after talks over a new deal broke down, he instead decided to head back across the capital to the club where he was part of their academy until 2012.
      Hutchinson soon hit the headlines when scoring a brilliant solo goal to help the U21s beat Leyton Orient 3-2 and he got two appearances under his belt under Graham Potter.
      However, following his departure from Chelsea and Todd Boehly’s takeover leading to an influx of new signings, he failed to get any more outings last term.
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      Then, this summer, he was sent out on loan to Ipswich Town following their promotion to the Championship from League One.
      The former England youth international, who has since gone on to be capped twice by Jamaica at senior level, has shown glimpses of his potential for Kieran McKenna’s high-flying Tractor Boys.
      And even though he does not appear to be in Mauricio Pochettino’s thoughts at present while at Portman Road, Hutchinson is confident that he can follow in Chelsea captain Reece James’ footsteps, who is now a regular following a previous loan spell at Wigan Athletic.
      The starlet told The Athletic: “I was at Arsenal from 11 to playing for the under-23s.
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      “I have a lot of friends there and obviously the coaching staff, so it was a difficult decision to leave.
      “I always felt loved there. All the fans were waiting for me to push on into the first team. But things didn’t just work out for one reason or another.
      “I just had to get over stuff like that. I spoke to the people at Chelsea, saw the pathway they had for me, knew the staff there and some of the players. I already knew Reece James and he told me to come. Everyone gave Chelsea a positive review. I believe it has worked out so far.”
      He then added: “Reece has been on the journey that I want to go on — from the academy, to a loan in the Championship, to the first team.
      “He told me to go and do my thing at Ipswich, to show what I’m about. Then come back and be ready (for Chelsea).
      “Reece was always on my team whenever I trained with the senior squad last season, so I never got to take him on. I hope to be taking him on soon.”
      Hutchinson only made two first-team appearances for Chelsea last seasonCredit: Getty More

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      Ivan Toney torn over January transfer despite Arsenal and Chelsea interest as he vows to repay Brentford debt

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      ENGLAND hitman Ivan Toney is torn over a January move, SunSport can reveal.The Brentford ace will return to action after Christmas and is widely tipped to leave the West London club.
      Ivan Toney is weighing up his options ahead of the January transfer windowCredit: PA
      Arsenal are thought to be at the front of the queue for his services.
      But a source close to the player said Toney – banned for gambling offences – feels he has a “debt to repay” to Brenford and to the club’s manager Thomas Frank which means any move could be held off until the summer.
      The source said: “A lot of people assume Ivan will be on his way after Christmas, but no deal has been done – and nothing has been decided.
      “Ivan is torn over his future. Brentford have stood by him and the club have been brilliant. Part of him wants to help them by hitting the ground running straight away in January and scoring the goals which will ensure they stay in the Premier League.
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      “There are a lot of clubs interested in Ivan but his focus, for now, is getting back on the pitch at Brentford and doing the business for his manager Thomas Frank, to whom he feels he has a big debt to repay. The same goes for the fans.
      “He’s determined to get back in the England squad and Ivan fully believes in himself to make the first squad once he’s back playing football.”
      The source also said Brentford are under no pressure to sell their ace striker.
      “They don’t need the money,” the source said. “Toney is their player and they will only consider selling him if the offer is right for the club.
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      “As far as the manager is concerned he is planning for his return in January. Ivan will come back in and be a key member of the team.
      “Thomas Frank realises nothing lasts forever and that his star man will probably move on one day.
      “But he hopes to have Ivan until the end of the season at least – then they will reassess.” More

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      Where Alex Song’s team-mates from final Arsenal game are now including club legend and flop-turned-failed-restaurateur

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      ALEX SONG has retired from football and he will now join many of his final Arsenal team-mates in going on to a life outside of the sport.The former Gunner announced his retirement from football with his last club being Djibouti Premier League side Arta Solar 7.
      Alex Song has retired from footballCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Former team-mate Wojciech Szczesny is playing for JuventusCredit: The Mega Agency
      How Arsenal lined-up in his last game for the club
      Song, 36, enjoyed a long career that saw him star for the likes of Arsenal, Barcelona, West Ham and Russian outfit Rubin Kazan.
      His last game for the Gunners came in May 2012, as he helped the club finish third in the Premier League with a 3-2 win over West Brom.
      He was sold to Barcelona that summer. However, he never managed to hit the heights expected of him at the LaLiga outfit.
      Song left behind an Arsenal squad that would all go on to their own things in life.
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      Here, SunSport takes a look at where the rest of the stars who played that day are now.
      Wojciech Szczesny
      The goalkeeper, 33, joined Juventus in 2017 and has since made 227 appearances for the Serie A giants.
      He battled Gianluigi Buffon for the No1 spot when he first arrived but he has made the position his since the Italian legend left in 2021.
      Last season, he suffered a health scare on the pitch as he started to feel chest pains, but has since made a full recovery.
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      Carl Jenkinson
      Carl Jenkinson is playing in AustraliaCredit: Getty
      Jenkinson, 31, is still playing football but down under at Newcastle Jets.
      He had two loan spells away from Arsenal at West Ham and one at Birmingham City.
      He left the club permanently in 2019 and joined Nottingham Forest before moving to Melbourne City on loan in 2022.
      Thomas Vermaelen
      Thomas Vermaelen worked for Belgium’s coaching staffCredit: PA
      Vermaelen left Arsenal in 2014 to join Barcelona, but like Song, he also struggled to star at the club.
      He retired from football in 2021 after spells with Roma and Vissel Kobe.
      He was most recently an assistant coach for the Belgian national side.
      Laurent Koscielny
      Laurent Koscielny left Arsenal in 2019Credit: AFP or licensors
      The Frenchman has returned to Lorient where he is an under-17 coach.
      Arsenal signed the now 38-year-old from the Ligue 1 side in 2010 and he played 353 times for the Gunners, and was appointed captain of the club in 2018.
      He left under a cloud when he signed for Bordeaux after the club failed to convince him to stay.
      Andre Santos
      Andre Santos opened a restaurant in BrazilCredit: Getty
      Santos was very much described as a flop during his time at Arsenal.
      He left the club after two seasons and returned to Brazil to play for clubs such as Gremio, Flamengo and Figueirense.
      He retired from football in 2018 and set up a restaurant called Flavours in Sao Paolo, however, it appears to have since permanently closed.
      Francis Coquelin
      Francis Coquelin is now playing in SpainCredit: AP
      Coquelin, 32, struggled to hold down a starting role at Arsenal throughout his time at the club.
      He had loan spells at Lorient, Frieburg and Charlton before eventually leaving on a permanent deal in 2018 to Valencia.
      He is now starring for Villarreal, having joined the club in 2020, and in his first season won the Europa League.
      Gervinho
      Gervinho most recently played for ArisCredit: Getty
      Gervinho enjoyed a colourful career as he left Arsenal a year after Song.
      He moved to Italy and played for both Roma and Parma either side of a spell in China with Hebei China Fortune.
      The rapid winger then moved to Trabzonspor before his most recent club in Greece, Aris Thessaloniki.
      In the summer, he was linked with a move to Serie D side Trapani.
      Tomáš Rosický
      Tomas Rosicky is working at Sparta PragueCredit: Alamy Live News
      Rosický retired from football in 2017 one season after leaving Arsenal for his boyhood club Sparta Prague.
      He is now working at the club as the sporting director.
      Yossi Benayoun
      Yossi Benayoun is a sporting directorCredit: Getty – Contributor
      Benayoun was only at Arsenal for that season as he was on loan from Chelsea.
      He continued to play until he was 39 at clubs such as West Ham, QPR, Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Maccabi Petah Tikva.
      Like Rosicky, Benayoun is also working as a sporting director, but at his last club Israeli side Beitar Jerusalem.
      Robin Van Persie
      Robin van Persie is coaching at FeyenoordCredit: Getty
      The Dutchman, 40, is now back in his native Netherlands where he is the assistant coach of Feyenoord.
      Erik ten Hag reportedly wanted Van Persie to join him at Manchester United but he was rejected by the former striker, who revealed he wanted “stability”.
      He played for United after leaving Arsenal following a controversial transfer in 2012.
      Substitutes
      There were also some notable names on the subs bench for Song’s last game for Arsenal.
      Goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski is currently playing at West Ham while Aaron Ramsey is back at his boyhood club Cardiff City.
      Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had a missed spell at Liverpool and is now at Turkish outfit Beşiktaş.
      Striker Marouane Chamakh retired in 2019 and has since earned his coaching badges in Morocco. More

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      Arsenal fans call for Gabriel Martinelli position change after footage emerges of first ever Brazil goal

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      ARSENAL fans have called on Mikel Arteta to change Gabriel Martinelli’s position after he scored his first goal for Brazil.The Arsenal winger netted Brazil’s only goal of the game as they lost 2-1 to Colombia.
      Martinelli celebrates after his strike vs ColombiaCredit: Getty
      Martinelli poked in his first ever Brazil goal

      Luis Diaz starred as he scored a brace with his father, now released after being kidnapped, watching on from the crowd.
      There were emotional scenes as Diaz’s father broke down in tears of pride and relief in the crowd.
      Martinelli’s goal opened the scoring in the fourth minute of the game.
      The winger picked the ball up on the left wing, his usual position for Arsenal, before exchanging a brilliant one-two with Vinicius Jr before finishing as he fell to the ground.
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      With Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both being sidelined recently, Arsenal fans have been keen to see Martinelli deployed down the middle.
      In response to Martinelli’s goal on Twitter, one fan said: “Mikel needs to play him down the middle already.”
      Another wrote to agree with the poster, saying: “Trossard left wing and Martinelli centre forward.”
      But not all fans agreed with the suggestion with one replying: “This goal didn’t come from him staying at the middle It started from left wing.”
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      Another wrote: “He didn’t play down the middle he was on the left.”
      Martinelli’s position has always been somewhat of a debate.

      The youngster, 22, initially played as a striker when he was being blooded into the team in 2019.
      But Arteta has always favoured playing Martinelli as a left winger as it allows him to make use of both his dribbling and ability to finish when cutting inside. More

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      Nine incredible stars to watch at U17 World Cup including ‘Brazilian Messi’ and record-breaking Arsenal starlet

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      SCOUTS have been out in force at the Fifa Under-17 World Cup in Indonesia as the planet’s most promising teenagers bid to follow in the footsteps of some illustrious former winners.Neymar, Alisson, Toni Kroos and Ronaldinho have all appeared at previous editions while Cesc Fabregas (2003) and Phil Foden (2017) shone brightly enough to be awarded the tournament’s Golden Ball.
      The Under-17 World Cup is heating up as it hits the business endCredit: EPA
      Teenagers from around the world are putting themselves in the shop windowCredit: GETTY
      But who will be the name on everyone’s lips at the end of this month’s event?
      SunSport is on hand with nine players we think have lit up the tournament and have bright futures ahead of themselves.
      Estevao Willian (Brazil)
      Brazil’s greatest teenage talent earned the nickname ‘Messinho’ long before he came to national prominence during an acrimonious switch from the Cruzeiro youth set-up to Palmeiras at the age of 14.
      Like the famous Argentine number 10, Estevao is predominantly left-footed and insanely skilful in tight spaces with a burst that can free him from defenders.
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      He can also shoot, as he proved when curling a 25-yard effort home in Brazil’s 9-0 demolition of New Caledonia earlier this week.
      Former Barcelona scout Andre Cury, the man who helped take both Ronaldinho and Neymar to the club, has been advising Estevao.
      And while Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have also shown interest, the 16-year-old recently admitted that the Nou Camp is his dream destination.  
      Brazul’s Estevao Willian is one to watch out for in the tournamentCredit: EPA
      Amara Diouf (Senegal)
      Diouf – one of the youngest players at the tournament – learned his trade at the famous Generation Foot academy in Dakar, which launched the careers of current senior Senegal stars Sadio Mane and Ismaila Sarr  
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      The powerfully built left-winger now looks set to follow in the footsteps of Mane and join Metz in France’s top flight, although probably not for long.
      Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid were all reportedly circling before he made his decision.
      Diouf’s displays in Indonesia, where he scored twice in Senegal’s 2-1 win over Argentina, suggest he may soon be ready for a bigger stage.
      Amara Diouf is the one to watch in Senegal’s talented squadCredit: Getty
      Claudio Echeverri (Argentina)
      Overshadowed by Diouf in Argentina’s opening game, Echeverri produced a moment of magic to get his team back on track for the knockout stages when he opened the scoring with a delightful long-range free-kick against Japan.
      Like Messi, the attacking midfielder wears the captain’s armband and the famous Number 10 shirt, but Echeverri is right-footed and bears a closer resemblance to current Argentina Under-17 coach Pablo Aimar.
      He came through the same River Plate finishing school that produced Aimar, plus City’s Julian Alvarez, with the Treble winners following Echeverri closely throughout the South American Under-17 Championship he top scored in earlier this year.  
      Juventus, Real Madrid and PSG are also said to be sniffing around the teenager, who will be eligible to move to Europe in January when he turns 18.
      Claudio Echeverri is a real prospect for ArgentinaCredit: GETTY
      Assan Ouédraogo (Germany)
      Son of a former Burkina Faso international, Ouédraogo is a box-to-box midfielder and perhaps the most physically impressive player at the tournament.
      In Germany, where he has been playing regularly for Schalke, he has already been compared to ex-Chelsea star Michael Essien for his ability to win the ball and drive forward.
      But his liking for slide tackles and sheer size, at 6ft 3in tall, bring back memories of ex-Arsenal star Patrick Vieira.
      Another of Vieira’s former clubs, AC Milan, are understood to be keen on signing him but they could face stiff competition from Liverpool plus Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig.
      Assan Ouedraogo is rated highly by many in GermanyCredit: GETTY
      Noah Darvich (Germany)
      Barcelona beat Bayern, Ajax, Arsenal, Manchester City and PSG to the signature of Darvich in the summer and his displays in Germany’s first two games suggest they were right to pay Freiburg almost £4.5million.  
      A beautifully-balanced left-footer with an ability to glide past opponents like former Gunners idol Mesut Ozil, Darvich played a starring role with a goal and an assist in Germany’s 3-1 win over Mexico on Sunday.
      He assisted again in another 3-1 win over New Zealand on Wednesday, having earlier struck an upright with a bending free-kick.
      Germany’s Noah Darvich effortlessly glides past playersCredit: GETTY
      Marc Guiu (Spain)
      Barcelona’s famed La Masia production line has not turned out any tall, strong centre forwards that draw comparisons to Erling Haaland until now.
      Guiu may still be a long way from emulating the success of Haaland, but he is ahead of the curve in some respects, having scored the winner for Xavi’s side in a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao last month.
      The 17-year-old was one of the top scorers at this year’s U-17 European Championship, together with Barca teammate Lamine Yamal who he has played alongside since the age of seven.  
      Spain’s Marc Guiu has several people purringCredit: Getty
      Hamidou Makalou (Mali)
      One of Mali’s many talented stars certain to be on the big clubs’ radars after the tournament, midfielder Hamidou Makalou has taken his chance to shine in front of the assembled scouts.
      Playing in a double pivot with Red Bull Salzburg-bound Sekou Kone, Makalou helped Mali dominate the middle of the park against Spain and got on the scoresheet in their final group game against Canada.
      His clean touches and line-breaking passes are sure to attract lots of attention.
      Hamidou Makalou of Mali is one to keep an eye onCredit: GETTY
      Ethan Nwaneri (England)
      At the tender age of 16, Ethan Nwaneri is one of England’s brightest talents.
      The midfielder has dominated matches for Arsenal’s Under-18 and Under-21 sides, so much so that Mikel Arteta rewarded him with two first-team starts last season.
      Nwaneri has had to make do with one solitary first-team appearance so far this campaign.
      The youngster has shown poise and versatility well beyond his years.
      He may not be well known right now, but he’ll definitely be a household name come the end of the tournament.
      Ethan Nwaneri is expected to be one of England’s top stars at the U-17 World CupCredit: Getty
      England ace Ethan Nwaneri has already showcased his talents for Arsenal’s first teamCredit: AP
      Ishe Samuels-Smith (England)
      CHELSEA signed up promising defender Ishe Samuels-Smith from Everton for £4m in the summer
      The 17-year-old made the switch to Stamford Bridge after impressing for Everton Under-21s and is delighted to be a Blue.
      The highly-rated teenager featured prominently for Everton’s youth sides last season and was named on the first-team bench for the 4-1 Carabao Cup defeat by Bournemouth on November 22 as well as the 3-1 defeat to Fulham on April 15.
      He has also represented England at under-15, under-16, and under-17 level,
      Samuels-Smith was the only Englishman named in the Uefa team of the tournament at the Under-17 European Championship last summer.

      Ishe Samuel-Smith in action against Mahan Sadeghi of IranCredit: EPA More