Tournament football usually provides a clear lens towards deducing which teams are a cut above the rest, as the summer months play host to the world and region illustrious show-piece events, like the Euros, World Cup, Copa America and more. For most, the purpose of such spectacles is for teams to joust for the position of top dog and return home newly minted; however, for others, it’s a perfect window into the state of football and the talents it beholds, especially at the youth level.
Given this, it is not an understatement to consider the u17 Euros and similar competitions a gaze into the future and possibly one of few opportunities to identify top-level talents before the market takes hold of them. Given this, using RMA data and dashboards, let’s look at four players who impressed at the recently concluded 2024 U17 European Championships that I suggest you add to your shortlists.
Josef Kolark, Czechia
Despite heading out at the quarter-finals, Czechia’s Josek Kolarik embodied everything the side exhibited. The winger, who plays for Slavia Prague at the club level, is not blessed with jaw-dropping pace and power but makes up for it with abundant talent, a high-technical base, sheer determination, and hard work. Playing primarily on the right as a more traditional winger style, Kolarik provided a triple threat, generating 0.73 xG+xGa p90, a competition-high 7.2 touches in box p90 for wingers and 7.02 dribbles attempted p90. Using RMA’s outstanders analysis dashboard, we’ve plotted touches in box p90 vs xG+xGA p90 to visualise his incredible output and to show how he sits in a league of his own, as seen below.
Kolarik’s cunning movement, flair, and constant threat of ball-striking not only spooked defenders but also left a lasting impression on the game. His determination on the pitch and intensity out of possession clearly indicated the Slavia Prague and Czechia ethos. He was in the top 3 for positional peers for pressures in the opposition half and counter pressures p90, evidencing his desire to affect the game in all phases.
Djordje Rankovic, Serbia
In a similar vein to Czechia, Serbia had their own pocket rocket on the wing in the form of the talented Djordje Rankovic. The Zvezda youth player is a right-footed 1v1 specialist constantly looking to square up opponents and break them down whilst always having an eye for goal. Despite a relatively lean frame, his pace, control of body weight and flair render him difficult to contain at best and a step ahead at worst. He, like Kolarik, represents the new age of winger who can no longer choose between creation and scoring but is required to synthesise the two, and Rankovic does that with ease.
At the tournament, he combined for the highest xG+xGA of all wingers at 0.84 p90, supplemented with outstanding output in build-up-related metrics like progressive and line-breaking passes, evidencing his utility outside the final third’s wide channels and half-spaces. Perhaps most impressive was Rankovic’s insatiable thirst for influence, which drove him to be a complete outlier out of possession; attacking the opponent on the ground and in the air,pressing high and tracking back, he offered a complete out-of-possession package for a winger.
Mihajlo Cvektovic – Serbia
Rankovic surprised people; however, one Serbian talent arrived at the tournament with a name, Cukaricki’s Mihaljo Cvetkovic. The 17-year-old has already featured for 1000 minutes in Serbia’s SuperLeague and has been seriously impressed. According to his detailed stats from the 23/24 season, he’s simply outstanding for his age and undeniably impressive even when age is not factored in. He has yet to really get going in front of goal, but the signs are there: he receives the ball cleanly, gets into the right areas, chooses the appropriate shot consistently, creates for others, links well and often, and above all else, can do this all whilst under serious pressure from opponents; it seems that we’re talking about an undeniable wonder-kid here.
At this summer’s tournament, Cvetkovic looked like someone who had taken some time to step down and play with the kids, as his mix of pace and power, agility, movement, technique and box instincts stood out like a sore thumb and matched by few. When playing against his age group peers, his goal-scoring was a real strength; below, using the outstanders analysis, we can see the symbiosis between goal returns and intelligent shot selection.
If this tournament is evidence of what he is capable of whilst on a level playing field, one should hope their club secures his services before his price explodes.
Eaden Roka – Austria
Last but not least is Austria’s defensively solid inverted full-back Eaden Roka. At this summer’s tournament, Roka stood out statistically for his defensive tenacity and resilience, as well as solidity when in possession. The Rapid Vienna RB has previously played as a RWB and RW in domestic youth football, which is easily identifiable when watching him carry the ball, where he combines natural pace with good touch and spatial awareness. Despite playing centrally for the most part, he attempted over 2.77 dribbles p90, offering a constant option to teammates.
Whilst inverting, he shows off good fundamentals and the ability to pick the right pass, offering a consistent build-up option. Given tactical and shape demands, he seldom got high and wide but was able to involve himself in creative endeavours centrally. Despite impressing in possession, it was when without where Roka stood out, offering a typically Austrian combination of intense pressing, breathless mobility and solid 1v1 defending, ranking in the top-5 for tackles success (%), defensive action regains, and dribbles defended (%) amongst FBs. His ability to transition between matchups and provide help defence to peers went a long way in fastening up the Austrian defence, who leaked no goals in the group stage.
In combination, this indicates a solid work ethic, technical tools and physical profile that will help him transition to the senior game.
