There was a unique buzz around English football after the Under-17 World Cup last autumn.

It's been well publicised in recent years that England isn't producing enough young talent and, in turn, they are lacking opportunities in the Premier League. So, securing the coveted trophy under the lights in India and against Spain at that, was a big moment for up and coming English stars.

It also saw Manchester City's Phil Foden crowned the player of the tournament, scooping the Golden Ball award for his performances across the competition and brace in the final.

In bagging the accolade, Foden joined an illustrious list of award winners dating back to 1991 with the trophy essentially crowning them as the finest under-17 player in the beautiful game.

What's happened to the winners over the years has been very mixed, however.

While some have gone onto become household names and recognisable figures in the game today, some quickly faded away into insignificance.

As a result, it would be rude not to assess how these starlets fared after their moment in the sun at the World Cup. From signing for Real Madrid to failed trials in the Bosnian first division, it's quite the bunch.

1999 - Landon Donovan 

The star man in a United States team that finished fourth in 1999, Donovan secured a move to Germany and Bayer Leverkusen after the tournament. He went onto become an LA Galaxy legend, making over 300 appearances for the Californian club, and also turned out for Everton and Bayern Munich.

2001 - Florent Sinama Pongolle

Liverpool just couldn't resist signing Sinama Pongolle after his performances in the 2001 tournament and would go onto make 62 appearances for the Reds, scoring nine goals. He now resides with Thailand's Chainat Hornbill after spells with Atletico Madrid and Dundee United.

He earned a solitary cap for the French senior team in 2008.

2003 - Cesc Fabregas

Fair to say things worked out pretty well for Fabregas after starring in 2003. Fabregas worked his way through the ranks at Arsenal to bow out as their captain, before returning to Barcelona and winning two Premier League titles with Chelsea.

2005 - Anderson

It seems Anderson had a bigger trophy cabinet than most clubs before his 20th birthday but his fall from grace is well documented. His disappointing Manchester Untied spell ended astonishingly late in 2015 and he was recently released by Brazilian club Internacional.

2007 - Toni Kroos

A midfielder who fared somewhat better than Anderson, Kroos now pulls the strings with Real Madrid and has no less than three Champions League titles to his name. He also has a World Cup win on his CV and spent seven trophy-filled years with Bayern Munich.

2009 - Sani Emmanuel

Ermmm. 

Emmanuel scooped the Golden Ball in 2009 for his performances in a Nigeria side that finished as runners-up and he even attracted interest from Tottenham and Chelsea. However, he recently failed a trial with Bosnian side FK Sarajevo after the deterioration of a spell with Beitar Jerusalem.

2011 - Julio Gomez Gonzalez

Mexico scooped their second Under-17 World Cup title in 2011 and with Gonzalez as their star man. His performances that year did his career no favours, however, and he remains with native club C.F. Pachuca but is currently spending time out on loan with Club Atlético Zacatepec.

2013 - Kelechi Iheanacho

Manchester City were the team to scoop up Iheanacho after his award-winning showing out in the UAE in 2013. He enjoyed decent success at the Etihad Stadium with 21 goals in 64 appearances but his career has plateaued since a move to Leicester City last summer.

2015 - Kelechi Nwakali

Nigeria do love the Under-17 World Cup. Their third Golden Ball winner in four years also made a move to England after the tournament and is on the books of Arsenal. He has scored three goals out on loan with Dutch second division team MVV Maastricht this season.

2017 - Phil Foden

Then there is, of course, Mr. Phil Foden. The only English winner of the Golden Ball in the tournament's history has enjoyed a breakthrough season at Manchester City and fans will be hoping Pep Guardiola continues to integrate him into the side.

Do you think Phil Foden will make it in the Premier League? Have your say in the comments section below.