Twenty young players were identified in a report published by The Guardian in 2008 as having the potential to become “future stars” for the England national team. Today, more than sixteen years later, how did these players fare in their respective careers?
Following a now-famous loss to Croatia, which resulted in the team’s failure to qualify for the Euro 2008 tournament, all eyes were on Fabio Capello as a number of talented young players made their way onto the professional scene.
Michael Mancienne, a defender for Chelsea, was called up to play in a friendly match against Germany shortly after the report that is presented below was published. This was despite the fact that Mancienne had never made a single appearance in the Premier League.
The young player, who was only twenty years old at the time, was one of several Chelsea youngsters who were being discussed at the time; therefore, who else was projected to play for England at some point in the future?
This is the list of twenty players who were rumoured to be on the verge of making a breakthrough with England.
Everton resident Jose Baxter, age 16
He was said to be “better than Wayne Rooney” when he was 14 years old. Baxter was born in Bootle.
According to the report, he became the youngest player to ever play for the Everton first team when he made his competitive senior debut in August 2008 against Blackburn. He was also a member of the Everton first-team squad that went on tour to Switzerland and the United States.
In the end, he played for the Toffees for a total of fifteen senior matches before moving on to Oldham Athletic, who were playing in League One at the time. Following that, Baxter signed contracts with both Plymouth and Sheffield United. In the year 2020, he played for Memphis 901, a team that competed in the USL Championship.
The 18-year-old Mark Beevers from Sheffield Wednesday
Beevers was described as “deceptively quick across the turf and strong in the air” in the report, which also mentioned that the center-half, who stands 6 feet 4 inches tall, had already garnered interest from clubs in the Premier League.
Bradford, a club in the Northern Premier League Division One East, is the team that the Barnsley-born defender, who is now 35 years old, plays for. Millwall, Bolton, Peterborough United, and Perth Glory are among the companies that he has played for in the past.
16-year-old John Bostock with Tottenham Hotspur
After becoming Crystal Palace’s youngest player, Bostock made his debut at the age of 15 years 287 days before his “controversial” summer transfer to Spurs for an initial fee of £700,000. Bostock was tipped for greatness after becoming the youngest player in the club’s history.
He was described as “tall, elegant, and visionary” in the report; however, how did he fare in their relationship?
After playing for Royal Antwerp, OH Leuven, Lens, Bursaspor, Toulouse, Doncaster, and Notts County over the course of his career, the 33-year-old player is currently playing for Solihull Moors, a club in the National League. In addition to that, he declined a 10-year contract offered by Barcelona.
The 17-year-old Nathan Delfouneso of Aston Villa
After making his debut with the first team in 2008 against Hafnarfjorour, Delfounso was widely considered to be one of the most promising prospects for Aston Villa. This was due to the fact that he had been playing regularly in the club’s reserves.
After spending a brief period of time with Hednesford Town, a team that competes in the Northern Premier League Division One West, the 34-year-old player is currently a free agent. Blackpool, Blackburn, and Bolton are among the clubs he has played for the past.
(18 years old) Fabian Delph, Leeds United
According to the report, Ken Bates laughed off Newcastle’s bid of one million pounds for Delph at the time. The report also mentions that Arsenal and Manchester United were “seriously interested” in their pursuit of the midfielder.
Just a few short months after leaving Everton as a free agent, Delph decided to retire in the year 2022. Aston Villa and Manchester City are among his former clubs, and it was during his time with Manchester City that he won two Premier League titles and an FA Cup.
Manchester United midfielder Daniel Drinkwater, age 18
A prediction that Drinkwater would one day play in the Premier League was made by The Guardian in the year 2008. After more than seven years, the midfielder was a part of Leicester City’s journey to the Premier League championship, which is widely regarded as one of the most remarkable moments in the history of football.
Following his release from Chelsea in 2022, the former Manchester United youth product made the announcement that he would be retiring from professional football in 2023. This comes after he had been without a club since his release.
Sunderland resident Jordan Henderson, age 18
An elusive right-sided midfielder or deep-lying forward, Henderson was described as being “equally happy in the hole or drifting wide right.” He was also described as having a deep position.
After becoming the future captain of England, the player would go on to sign with Liverpool in 2011 for approximately sixteen million pounds. During his twelve-year tenure with Liverpool, he would win both the Premier League and the Champions League.
After a [very] brief stint with Al Ettifaq, a Saudi Pro League club, he is currently playing for Ajax, a team that competes in the Eredivisie.
Arsenal player Gavin Hoyte, age 18
According to the report, Hoyte, who is the younger brother of Justin, a former full-back for Arsenal, was praised for being “quick, athletic, and astute both at right-back and center-half.”
Following his inclusion in Arsene Wenger’s Carling Cup squad that year, the defender would go on to make four appearances during his time in north London before moving on to Dagenham & Redbridge in the year 2012.
After spending time at Gillingham, Barnet, and Eastleigh, the 34-year-old soccer player is currently playing for Folkestone Invicta, a team that competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Arsenal player Henri Lansbury, age 18
“Strongly built, powerful yet creative on the ball and a goal threat” was how Lansbury was described when he was breaking through at Arsenal. At the time, he was a midfielder for England Under-17.
During his time in North London, he participated in only eight games, but he had successful stints at clubs such as Nottingham Forest, Aston Vila, and Bristol City. Prior to that, he was instrumental in Luton Town’s promotion to the Premier League.
After a lockdown hobby turned into a new career, the 34-year-old now works on football pitches. His new business venture, which is called Grass Gains, gives him the opportunity to work on football pitches.
15-year-old Josh McEachran from Chelsea
McEachran, a midfielder, was included on the list after impressing Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was the manager of Chelsea at the time as well as Manchester United and Real Madrid, who had been showing persistent interest in him. He held the position of captain of the England Under-16s at the time.
Following stints at Brentford, Birmingham, and MK Dons, the 32-year-old player is currently playing for Oxford United, which is a team in the Championship.
Chelsea Mellis, Jacob Mellis, age 17
During the summer of 2007, Mellis made the move from Sheffield United to Chelsea for a fee of one million pounds, and it was speculated that he would play for England. During his five-year tenure with Chelsea, he made his debut with the senior team in the Champions League. However, he was allowed to leave the club in 2012.
Due to an incorrect diagnosis of a knee injury, the former midfielder was forced to call it quits in 2023, which was the beginning of his playing career. Mansfield Town, Blackpool, and Barnsley are among the clubs he has played for in the past.
Crystal Palace young man Victor Moses, age 17
Moses, who was described as “strong, skilful, and quick” by the Guardian, would play for England at the youth level before changing his mind and choosing to play for Nigeria in 2012. During that time, he has participated in 38 matches for the nation.
At the moment, the winger is playing for Luton Town, which is a Championship club. Following his departure from Crystal Palace in 2010, he went on to play for such clubs as Wigan, Chelsea, Liverpool, Stoke City, and West Ham.
Nile Ranger, who is 17 years old and plays for Newcastle United
After being included on the list, Ranger was praised for his “Shearer-esque scoring feats” in the past. “The prolific striker, spirited north from Southampton’s youth set-up, has sat on the first team bench a few times already this season,” according to the official report.
Before leaving for Swindon Town in 2013, the forward would make a total of 26 appearances for the Magpies in the Premier League on previous occasions. Blackpool, Southend, and Boreham Wood are among the clubs he has played for in the past. He currently plays for Kettering, a team that competes in the Southern League Premier Division Central.
If he had not led such a troubled life off the pitch, he believes that he would still be playing in the Premier League with the same team.
Jack Rodwell, age 17, from Everton
Rodwell was praised for being “strong, quick, and assured” after making his first-team debut for Everton at the age of 16 years and 284 days. He was even compared to Rio Ferdinand at the time of his debut.
After spending five years at Goodison Park, the midfielder moved to Manchester City in 2012 for a fee of twelve million pounds. During his time with Manchester City, the club won the Premier League championship in the 2013–2014 season.
Rodwell, who is 34 years old, most recently played for Sydney, an A-League club.
West Ham United’s Freddie Sears, who is aged 18
Over the course of the 2007–2008 season, Sears was called up to the first team after scoring 25 goals for West Ham in a total of 24 matches while playing for the youth team. Specifically, it took Sears only five minutes and sixteen seconds to score his first goal as a senior high school player.
During his time with the Hammers, the forward made more than fifty appearances for the first team before moving on to Colchester United in 2012. Ipswich Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, and Braintree are some of the clubs that he came from in the past.
The 35-year-old player is currently employed by Chatham Town, a club that competes in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Charlton Athletic Center’s Jonjo Shelvey, age 16
Following his leadership of the England Under-16s during their Victory Shield campaign in 2007, Shelvey was tipped to make a significant contribution to the Three Lions squad at some point in the future. Indeed, he did… in a sense.
As a result of his time spent playing for Liverpool and Swansea City between the years 2012 and 2015, the midfielder was awarded six caps for England. He is currently playing for Burnley, a team that competes in the Championship.
At the age of 17, Manchester United’s Danny Welbeck
Welbeck was referred to as “skilful, strong, and pacy” by the Guardian, who also mentioned his “prolific” scoring record for United when he was playing at the youth level. The “slightly unorthodox” striker was compared to Nwankwo Kanu of Portsmouth, according to Sir Alex Ferguson, who was also mentioned by the individuals.
The striker, who is currently playing for Brighton, has played for England a total of 42 times and has scored 16 goals during that time.
17. Aidan White, a member of Leeds United
According to the report, White made his debut for Leeds, which was then a member of League One, during their championship match against Crystal Palace in the Carling Cup in 2008. After being substituted, he received a standing ovation from the crowd there.
Following his time with Leeds, he would go on to play for Rotherham United, Barnsley, and Hearts, and he would conclude his career with Leeds with 85 appearances. In the year 2023, the defender, who is now 33 years old, most recently played for Rochdale.
Arsenal player Jack Wilshere, age 16
Wilshere was widely regarded as one of England’s most talented players after making his debut in the Premier League at the age of 16 years and 256 days, surpassing Arsenal’s previous record.
Currently, the 33-year-old is serving as a first team coach for Norwich City, which competes in the Championship. Following a career that was plagued by injuries, he announced his retirement at the age of thirty, after having played for West Ham and Bournemouth earlier in his career.
The 18-year-old Michael Woods Chelsea
Woods made his debut with Chelsea’s first team in January 2007, when he was 16 years and 275 days old. At the time, Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was the manager of Chelsea at the time, recognised Woods’ impressive player abilities.
The only competition in which he participated was the FA Cup, and he joined Yeovil Town in the year 2012. The 34-year-old currently plays for Whitby Town, a team that competes in the Premier Division of the Northern Premier League.
