Flo Balogun Headlines Six Players Of Nigerian Descent In England Squad For U17 Euros

England U17 head coach Steve Cooper has announced his eagerly anticipated roster for the upcoming UEFA European U17 Championship which will hold in England 4-20 May and there are a few surprises no one saw coming.

Six players of Nigerian descent, including the very talented Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun, are part of the Young Lions 20-man squad for the tournament.

Another Nigerian player summoned to the England U17 squad is the promising Manchester City U18 captain, Nathanael Ogbeta, who has represented England U15 and U16 teams in the past.

West Ham defender Ajibola Alese, Chelsea midfielder Faustino Anjorin, Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Xavier Amaechi have also been named in the group.

The world champions at U17 level begin their campaign against Israel in Chesterfield on Friday night, and will also face Italy and Switzerland in Group A.

Super Eagles winger Victor Moses was the top scorer at the 2007 UEFA European U-17 Championship in Belgium, with three goals.

England Squad

Goalkeepers: Luca Ashby-Hammond (Fulham), Marcus Dewhurst (Sheffield United), Adam Desbois (Training GK - Reading)

Defenders: Ajibola Alese (West Ham United), Dylan Crowe (Ipswich Town), Vontae Daley-Campbell (Arsenal), Ethan Laird (Manchester United), Nat Ogbeta (Manchester City), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)

Midfielders: Tino Anjorin (Chelsea), Trae Coyle (Arsenal), Matty Daly (Huddersfield Town), Elijah Dixon-Bonner (Liverpool), Tommy Doyle (Manchester City), Jimmy Garner (Manchester United)

Forwards: Xavier Amaechi (Arsenal), Arvin Appiah (Nottingham Forest), Folarin Balogun (Arsenal), Bobby Duncan (Unattached), Tyreece John-Jules (Arsenal), Rayhaan Tulloch (West Bromwich Albion)

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : thefa.com