Plogmann then faced a barrage of attacks. Just before halftime, Delfi again struck: the fast winger hit the spot with the help of Mohammad Sharifi’s assist. After the break, the top talented boy from Khuzestan produced an assist for Allahyar Sayyad,  and later Vahid Namdari sealed the match with the fourth goal for Iran and the final score ended 4-0 to Team Melli. With that impressive win over Germany, the name of Delfi was definitively established. Several clubs in Europe have lauded scouting reports of the Iranian in the drawer, including Besiktas, but it was PSV that has taken the initiative.

PSV

Delfi is on his way to the PSV Eindhoven, as recently confirmed by director Amir Soltani. The seventeen-year-old attacker is plucked for a fee of 550,000 euros from Esteghlal Khuzestan, which also stipulated a sale percentage of 20 percent. Soltani recently said that the deal is as good as done and that ‘the last details’ still have to be discussed. From mid-August, Delfi will try to repeat his excellent form and shine with the Under-23 team of Iran at the Asian Games  2018 in Indonesia, and the youngster will later officially join PSV, probably in January.

Last March, Delfi, who incidentally also can play as an attacking midfielder, were planned to join Eindhoven training camp together with Taha Shariati. The two youth internationals would train with the Under-19 team, which at the time was led by Mark van Bommel, currently head coach of the national champion. Delfi, however, was not allowed to travel to the Netherlands, but now he  can make the step. He can sign a professional contract with PSV on his birthday on 2 October.

Delfi’s excellent performance at the Youth World Cup against Germany, according to him, was partly due to a close preparation that he carried out together with his offensive partner and roommate Sayyad. “We watched a lot of videos from the U17  team of Germany and knew what they had to offer. We have analyzed them down to the smallest detail and from this we drew our conclusions “, says Delfi, who ended up in the loosing side in the quarter finals with a defeat against Spain, in an interview with New Indian Express .

Cristiano Ronaldo

In Iran, people are convinced that the youth can handle top football in Europe in the future. “Being a regular player in Persian Gulf Pro League is a blessing for the team,” said team manager Amir Sedighi last October. “He is a valuable addition, both for his club and country.” Since his debut for Esteghlal Khuzestan, Delfi has been labeled by various media as ‘prodigy’. After ‘only’ six appearances in the 2016/17 season, the winger was awarded almost every game of play minutes the following year. In total, the dribbler has 32 appearances in the club so far, with 7 goals and 1 assist under his name.

Delfi is determined to once again draw attention to the Asian Games. The talented player remains ambitious, despite all the praise that has already been awarded to him. “My goals are not based on my performance. I expect more from myself, “Delfi said recently in an interview with varzesh3 . Delfi has had a good time at the club where he played since his early youth, but acknowledges that the move to Europe is very tempting. “My ambitions are very big: I want to exchange Esteghlal Khuzestan for Europe to eventually play for top clubs.”

The attacker is praised for his speed, his technique, his dribbles and his urge to constantly look for one-to-one situations. Delfi does not turn his hand around for the dirty work and is willing to make runs for his teammates. The 17-year-old gem considers Cristiano Ronaldo as his idol. The five-time winner of the Ballon d’Or often says that hard work is the basis for success and that opinion is also attributed to Delfi: “To be even in the shadow of Ronaldo, I have to work very hard, I know that. But my goal is to become better than Ronaldo. one  of theses days. “

Name: Younes Delfi
Date of birth: 2 October 2000
Club: Esteghlal Khuzestan
Position: right winger, attacking midfielder
Strengths: speed, dribbling qualities, insight