England has long been known for having exceptionally talented young squads. Consider this: where would players like Declan Rice, Phil Foden, and Harry Kane have acquired the global skill?
And that idea is supported by the fact that a team sheet from an England Under-15’s 4-3 loss to Belgium in 2017 has surfaced again, and the quality available to then-manager Kevin Betsy was frightening.
Betsy and his group had Jude Bellingham and Jamal Musiala warming the bench as his team marched out to represent their country, but Jeremy Doku was the star of the Red Devils’ youth team as they won.
What happened to others who wormed their way into the starting lineup before the aforementioned pair, who have since gone on to become some of the biggest football superstars in the world? Let’s examine everyone, from the goalie to the lone centre forward.
This England u15 team from 2017 was STACKED 🤯 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nTSLs4Pc68
— Daniel Lexy (@daniel_lexy) February 28, 2025
Goalkeeper and Defence
Serine Sanneh, Matthew Dennis, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, Harry Williams, Tristin Cover
On that particular day, Betsy’s England team had Serine Sanneh, formerly of West Ham United, at goal. The goalie, who changed his allegiance to the Gambia, is currently with Rusthall FC, a team in the ninth division, and he renewed his contract with them in the summer of 2024.
Then-Arsenal prospect Matthew Dennis, who currently plays centre forward, was positioned on the right side of the defensive four. He has bounced from club to club after failing to make an impression in north London, and in 2025 he joined League Two underdogs Carlisle United.
Malachi Fagan-Walcott and Harry Williams were a highly anticipated centre-back duo, but neither has been able to live up to the expectations set for them.
After 8 years at @SpursOfficial the time has come for me to say goodbye. I would like to thank everyone @SpursOfficial from players to staff for helping me become the person I am today,and helping me act upon a dream of become a professional footballer. Wish everyone all the best pic.twitter.com/4766Q2PF0X
— Malachi Fagan-Walcott (@MalachiWalcott5) September 15, 2023
Fagan-Walcott, now 23 years of age, recently moved from Cardiff City to National League side York City. The defender’s last time representing his country came in 2019 when he racked up three appearances, under Steve Cooper, at Under-17 level.
Formerly of West Bromwich Albion, Williams made just one appearance for the England U15s. At club level, he is now representing League Two outfit Walsall.
Currently a free agent, Tristin Cover was – at least, most recently – playing out in Dubai but has been without a club since last January. Failing to make it at Fulham, he moved to non-league football for Wingate FC and Sutton Common before heading abroad.
Midfield
Noni Madueke, Yunus Musah, Cole Palmer
We now start discussing the well-known names. Eight years ago, when England played Belgium, Noni Madueke, who was included in consecutive Three Lions sides under Lee Carsley, was used as a centre midfielder.
The 23-year-old, who has five caps for England’s senior squad and has scored 17 goals and provided seven assists in his 74 games at Stamford Bridge, is now a full-fledged part of Chelsea’s swollen first team ranks.
Like Sanneh, Yunus Musah, who was once a diamond in Arsenal’s youth, has now changed who he represents internationally and now frequently plays for the United States. After three years of impressive play at Valencia, the 45-cap international earns his corn for AC Milan.
Cole Palmer is a man who doesn’t require an introduction. Leaving Manchester City for Chelsea in the summer of 2023, he is now considered to be among the greatest wingers in Chelsea’s lengthy and illustrious history, and the gamble has paid off.
With 78 appearances for his current employers, the 11-cap England international has scored 39 goals and provided 21 assists, making him an immediate talisman for the west Londoners and a threat in the final third.
Attack: Armstrong Oko-Flex, Rafael Garcia, and Lewis Fiorini
Lewis Fiorini used to play on the right wing and was once skilled enough to keep players like Musiala and Karamoko Dembele out of the game, according to Transfermarkt. The Manchester-born star, who is a central midfielder by trade, chose to play for Scotland in previous years, earning three goals and ten caps for their Under-21 team.
Prior to joining Stockport County last summer, the 22-year-old was a member of Manchester City’s roster. He struggled for playing time at the League One promotion hopefuls before going on loan to Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership in January.
Rafael Garcia was Besty’s only striker during the event. Before making a surprise move to Finnish club JJK Jyvaskyla, the former Fulham and Everton prospect, who is also eligible to play internationally for Spain, spent the second half of 2023–2024 with the B team of Spanish second-tier outfit AD Alcorcon. He is now a free agent after leaving the team in January.
Before deciding to play for his home country of Ireland, Dublin-born Amstrong Oko-Flex played just one game for England’s Under-15 team and a few for the Under-16 and 17 teams.
The 23-year-old left winger had a great early career with Arsenal’s junior team but found it difficult to advance to the senior league. The individual was born in 2002 and currently plays for FC Zurich in Switzerland after playing for Celtic, West Ham United, and Swansea City.
Bench of Substitutes
Jude Bellingham, Teddy Jenks, Morgan Rogers, Dynel Simeu, Amadou Diallo, Tom Smith, Samson Robinson, Karamoko Dembele, and Jamal Musiala
The abundance of talent available to England on that particular day is perfectly reflected in their substitutes’ bench. When Betsy’s team lost in 2017, Karamoko Dembele, a former Celtic star who is currently playing brilliantly for QPR, was waiting on the wings.
Bellingham was also able to make an appearance off the bench. At the age of 13, no one could have predicted the Real Madrid player’s future as a world-class talent. The heights to which this man can rise make him one of the most valued football players in the world.
Before leaving England to join Bayern Munich, Musiala was a young, hungry sensation for Chelsea. The rest is, well, history. The former Champions League winner, who has made more than 150 appearances for the Bundesliga team, is one of the most technically skilled football players.
Morgan Rogers, who has been an outstanding performer for Aston Villa this season, also joined them on the bench. Before joining Middlesbrough and later Unai Emery’s team, the Halesowen native was honed in Manchester City’s academy.
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