Scouting Notebook: Germany U17 Star Jann-Fiete Arp Plays Exactly Like Harry Kane

While no sure thing, a series of bright performances at the Under-17 European Championship can open a lot of doors for young players—particularly in the modern era, given the interest devoted to and importance placed on "the next big thing."

In the past, this competition has been a traditional sounding board for some of the best players in the world today; the illustrious performers in its alumni include Renato Sanches, Paul Pogba, Mario Gotze, Thiago Alcantara, Eden Hazard and even Wayne Rooney.

This year's edition has been fraught with attacking talents who've plundered goals at will. France (11) and England (10) filled their boots during the group stages, but Germany (15) bettered them all, netting seven in their battering of Ireland alone. At the heart of that feat stands one player: Jann-Fiete Arp, a 17-year-old Hamburg striker who is already attracting attention from bigger fish.

ESPN FC's Stephan Uersfeld reported HSV are trying their hardest to tie him down to a contract and integrate him into the first-team. The hope is that wards off supposed interest from the likes of Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus—quite the list of suitors for one so young.

Needless to say, he's had a phenomenal tournament; Arp's seven goals places him in second in the goalscoring charts, just behind France's Amine Gouiri on nine, and he's managed that from just eight shots on target. He's also struck the woodwork once.

Arp has modelled his game on Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Harry Kane; they have similar frames (allowing for the difference in age) and characteristics. "He plays the way I want to play," the German told UEFA.com.

Like Kane, Arp is a true No. 9 who leads the line, utilises great movement in the penalty area and scores a variety of different goals. During the tournament he's netted headers, scrappy follow-ups, 20-yard drilled efforts and everything in between. Two hat-tricks—one against Bosnia and Herzegovina, one against Ireland—showcased how he can single-handedly put games beyond opponents' reaches.

Credit: Eurosport

A big-bodied guy, he's combative and fights to wrest control of the ball off markers. He also works hard to apply pressure to opponents, forcing errors or shanked clearances. Once he has the ball, it's difficult to get it off him; he's a back-to-goal striker who can put his body between you and the ball. Team-mates feel safe playing it into him—even in tight spaces against deep-set defences—as they feel confident he can create from that position or at least deliver it back.

The way he moves the ball out of his feet quickly in order to use it seriously impresses; the Kane comparison is a good one for many reasons, but this is the prime one. Technically sound, his touch is good under pressure; he rarely gets the ball stuck under his feet. Shifting it out quickly, he's often able to make room for a shot or a clever pass into a runner's path. He even looks like Kane in the way he shapes for a long-range shot: He's knocked two in from outside the box during the competition, one of which kissed the post on its way.

An alert, heads-up player, Arp's first-time passes and clever flicks can make the difference—particularly against those who opt to reduce space between the lines and defend deep. Many big strikers suffer from tunnel vision, rendering them capable only of playing the way they face, but Arp's aware of what's going on around him at all times.

Credit: Eurosport

The chemistry between himself, Elias Abouchabaka, Erik Majetschak and John Yeboah has stayed strong all tournament, no matter the opposition. When they run in behind, he's often able to find them; when they instigate a one-two, he's happy to oblige.

Having that focal point to play off is handy no matter how good a footballing side you are—just look at Arsenal's continual retreat back to Olivier Giroud, or Bayern Munich's use of Robert Lewandowski, as evidence—and it's not often a player at this age can fulfil that role.

"I am not surprised that players of the same age at the European Championships can't stop him," Hamburg coach Markus Gisdol told reporters recently.

What comes next for a player in Arp's position is never clear and never formulaic. Careful nurturing and the allowance of opportunities are key to his progression, but a club like Hamburg—currently sitting in the Bundesliga's relegation play-off place—has been an unstable environment for years. With that in mind, Arp might well be tempted to take up a club like Chelsea or Juventus or Dortmund on their offer.

"He's a super talent and we need to keep him long term. He can become a great player," Gisdol has stated. Based on Arp's showings in Croatia, it's tough to argue with that.

Facebook.com/SamTigheBR

All statistics via UEFA.com