TOP 5: England's U20 World Cup Stand Out Performers

Across all age groups, the English national team has only won the World Cup once. Of course, that was achieved by the full national team in 1966, where Bobby Moore, Bobby Charlton and Sir Alf Ramsey were part of a historic World Cup winning side.

It has been heartache for England ever since. 51 years have gone by, and not one England side has come close to being named World Champions.

Until now!

The England U20 side made history on Sunday as they became the second English team to be crowned World Cup winners.

As a mark of their achievements, The Football Addick Analyses the history making squad, and names the top five players out of the crop of young stars that stood out in England’s triumphant campaign...

5) Jonjoe Kenny 
Jonjoe Kenny has a tough task ousting Seasmuc Coleman if he wants to become Everton's starting right back

The Everton youngster showed that he has all the credentials to be a top class full back in the future.

Very much in the same mould as Seamus Coleman, the English youngster is astute in defence, has good technical ability and can contribute in abundance in attack.

Despite being one of England’s standout performers, he has only featured twice in the Premier League for Everton.

Therefore, it will be interesting to see how the full back progresses this season at his club side as he looks to establish himself at Premier League level after a promising World Cup campaign.

4) Joshua Onamah
Joshua Onamah had a terrific tournament where he was a key component in the centre of midfield

Onamah is a name that most people would have been familiar with going into the tournament, as he has featured in a handful of games under Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham.

Although he has struggled to make a significant impression in the Premier League to date, he managed to form a terrific partnership with Lewis Cook in the middle of midfield for the Young Lions.

Despite being dubiously sent off against Mexico in the quarter finals, throughout the tournament he showed poise on the ball, creativity and an impressive defensive nous that he is perhaps not known primarily for.

With Pochettino looking to give youngsters game-time seemingly at every opportunity, we could see a lot more of the talented English midfielder next season.

3) Freddie Woodman
Freddie Woodman crucially saved a penalty in the final which ensured England would become World Cup champions

Woodman was England's hero in the final with a dramatic penalty save, a save that proved vital as England triumphed by the narrowest of margins over Venezuela.

Despite being under pressure for much of the second half, Woodman stood up to every challenge he was faced with and ensured England were crowned World Cup winners.

Over the course of the tournament, Woodman conceded only three goals in their seven games, ensuring England finished the tournament with an extremely impressive defensive record.

As a result of his strong performances between the sticks, the Newcastle youngster was named the Golden Glove winner; an award given to the best goalkeeper in the tournament.

2) Dominic Solanke
Soon-to-be Liverpool forward, Dominic Solanke, won the Golden Ball for his impressive performances

Dominic Solanke has been surrounded by controversy for several months for his refusal to accept a contract at Chelsea; a saga which was resolved during the tournament as it was revealed he had signed a pre-contract at Liverpool.

Nevertheless, if anything Solanke was spurred on by this news, as he used his ability to set the tournament alight.

Known primarily for his goal-scoring capabilities, Solanke contributed four goals in England's triumphant campaign, but he also showed good hold up play and an impressive work rate.

He was awarded the Golden Ball at the end of the tournament; an award given to the best youngster at the tournament. He now has his name alongside a few high-profile recipients of the award; a list that includes the likes of Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Paul Pogba.

1) Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman has the potential to be a star of world football

What a talent Lookman is. It is unbelievable to think that the former Charlton youngster was playing Sunday league football just a few years back.

Despite joining the academy system much later than others, the forward has already accumulated 57 professional games, including eight in the Premier League for Everton.

Throughout the tournament he was England's most creative attacking outlet, where he recorded three goals. He was often hard to contain on the left wing, which was found out by Costa Rica in the Quarter-final where he notched both goals in a 2-1 victory.

Lookman looks every bit worth the £10 million that Everton paid for him; and his performances are sure to have earned him more game time in the Premier League next season. He is definitely one to watch for the future.

What do you think? Let me know either by commenting on this article or by letting me know on social media!

Twitter: @JamesStroud1995 @FootballAddick

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