Arvin Appiah can show England U17 form at Nottingham Forest with patience and consistency

Whether tormenting defences and firing in solo goals for England Under-17s or catching the eye of Forest manager Aitor Karanka with his physical presence, Appiah’s career is on an upward curve at present.

Born in Holland to the son of Ghanaian parents, the 17-year-old is blessed with strength, good close control and a deadly eye for goal.

Forest see that too, tying him down on his first professional contract last January and including him in the squad’s summer training camp in Spain.

Karanka said: “Arvin is only 17 or 18 and he already looks like a man.

"He trains really well with us. Every single player is different and we will manage them in the best way we can.”


It’s hardly a surprise when another star emerges from the Nigel Doughty Academy.

After all, the club has an impressive history of churning them out – Jermaine Jenas, Michael Dawson and Marlon Harewood among those to have gone on to the highest level while defender Joe Worrall is currently flying to flag in the first team.

Continue as he is and Appiah could join that club, with senior team opportunities on the horizon this season.

Prior to now he has learnt his trade playing for the under-18, under-19 and under-23 squads, helping the latter to reach the Professional Development League play-off final last season.

In July, he showed his shooting prowess again, delightfully curling into the top left-hand corner of the net as the under-18s beat BSC Young Boys at a tournament in Switzerland.



But it is with the Three Lions where Appiah, who is also eligible to play for Ghana through his parents, has really roared so far in his career.

Appiah and the England team reached the semi-finals of May’s Under-17 European Championships before being defeated by eventual champions Holland on penalties after the game finished goalless.


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But it was in the 2-1 group stage win over Italy where he stood out most, scoring a superb solo goal after running powerfully through midfield with the ball and unleashing a powerful strike from 20 yards out.

The goal backed up the view of Forest academy manager Gary Brazil who told fans pre-tournament to ‘remember the name…this lad is a real talent with a big future in the game.”

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Not afraid to take players on and head goalwards, there is no shortage of confidence from Appiah.

But according to Forest legend Garry Birtles, it is patience and consistency he needs to work on if he wants to enjoy a similar rise to Fulham’s sought-after young star Ryan Sessegnon.

He said: "You only have to look at the impact Ryan Sessegnon has had at Fulham to see that if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. He’s been given regular game time and has thrived – and he’s 17, the same age as Appiah.

"Everyone matures at different ages, though, so not everyone is ready to be a first-team regular at the same time.

"Consistency is the magic word, too. You need that at any age. The best players don’t get better, they get more consistent – that’s something young lads need to remember.”

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