Paul Argney, Tidiane Gomis, Joachim Kayi Sanda… Who are the six key players of the French U17 team, in the World Cup final

The French under-17 team is playing the World Cup final in its age category on Saturday against Germany.

A year after the A’s, it’s their turn to dream of a world title. The young players of the French U17 team are playing in the World Cup final, Saturday December 2, against Germany (at 1 p.m.), and will try to imitate their predecessors, who won titles in 2001 in this category. From this team, Anthony Le Tallec, Florent Sinama-Pongolle, Jérémy Berthod and Jacques Faty had serious careers, but others ultimately failed to establish themselves permanently at the highest level. Who are the talents of the new generation whose future looks promising?

Paul Argney, goalkeeper

Starting in almost all matches (except in the second match of the group stage against South Korea), Paul Argney waited until the semi-final to concede a goal in this World Cup. And if he is at fault for this Malian achievement, the young goalkeeper has often saved his team before that, as during the penalty shootout against Senegal, in the round of 16. Originally from Granville, he plays within the Le Havre reserve team, under an intern contract, where he showcases his very good kicking game. Like Manuel Neuer, his idol, he does not hesitate to go far from his goal and likes to participate in the game.

Joachim Kayi Sanda, central defender and captain

If France is not lacking in good central defenders, Joachim Kayi Sanda is a great promise in this position. At Valenciennes, his club, he became the youngest player to sign a professional contract, at the start of the season, at 16 years and 9 months, then the youngest player to play for the northern club, at the end of October, with a start in Ligue 2 against Grenoble. He is described as a leader on the ground, already mature and very professional. “He’s a player who will play in the Champions League in the not-so-distant future,” said Ben Chorley, VA athletic director, in the Team. During this World Cup, he is lined up alongside Bastien Meupiyou, another great hope, who has already played a few minutes in Ligue 1 with Nantes against OM this season (match during which he was sent off after 9 minutes of play).

Saïmon Bouabré, midfielder

Winner of the Gambardella Cup with Monaco in 2023, Saïmon Bouabré is one of the gems of the Monegasque training center. ASM also secured his future by signing him his first professional contract last June, at just 17 years old. Very interesting in his use of the ball, he shines with his vision of the game. “He puts himself at the service of the collective and when he is in this position, it is a very interesting element in the use of the ball. He is capable of setting the tempo, calming down or accelerating when necessary. He can play both on the left and in the middle. It’s a blessing to have versatile players like him in a group.”, confides coach Jean-Luc Vannuchi in Le Parisien. Withdrawn due to a minor knee sprain in the semi-final, he hopes to be able to play in the final.

Ismail Bouneb, attacking midfielder

At number 10, supporting the attackers, Ismail Bouneb is one of the players most used by Jean-Luc Vannuchi in this World Cup. He scored the winning goals in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, and is the Bleuets’ best passer (3). The Valenciennes player has a large volume of play, and is skillful on set pieces, as he showed in the semi-final against Mali with a goal from a direct free kick. He has not yet appeared professionally with VA, and plays with the national U19s and the reserve team in National 3. “He’s my favorite, someone who makes you love football. He lights up the game. He’s not the fastest but he knows how to make himself available, is always one step ahead, passes in the good time”enthuses Ahmed Kantari, coach of the Valenciennes reserve team, in L’Equipe.

Tidiam Gomis, left winger

He is one of the most experienced professional Bleuets. Finalist in the Gambardella Cup at just 15 years old in 2022 with Stade Malherbe in Caen, he signed his first professional contract, straight away, on his 16th birthday. Left winger, who comes in on his right foot, he has already participated in the Euro U17 this year, ending in the final with a defeat against the Germans, with two goals and two assists. He has already made six appearances in Ligue 2 under the colors of the Norman club.

Mathis Lambourde, center forward

Trained in the Stade Rennes talent incubator, Mathis Lambourde also has a few minutes among professionals, with one appearance in Ligue 1 and another in the Europa League this season. Finalist of the Euro U17 with the Bleuets in June, he signed his first professional contract immediately.

If he scored nine goals in his first 16 caps with the French U17 team, he is a little less successful in this World Cup with just one goal, but his replacement, Joan Tincres, has taken over. The young Monegasque, winner of the Gambardella Cup, is the Bleuets’ top scorer with three goals in this competition.