According to the Daily Mail, in the year 2021, the future appeared to be “undoubtedly bright” for England. The newspaper also named eight prospects who would “break through the system” and become members of the senior team.
The team’s backroom staff, including Gareth Southgate, were still in the process of licking their wounds after suffering a devastating loss to Italy in the final of the Euro 2020 competition, which they had lost on penalties.
Nevertheless, there was a great deal of optimism in the run-up to the World Cup in Qatar. This was due to the fact that a number of highly-rated prospects were “destined” to eventually make their debut at Wembley, one of whom was Tariq Lamptey, a defensive player for Brighton.
So, who else did the Mail take into consideration when determining which players have the potential to assist England in capturing that supposedly “elusive” trophy?
18 years old Noni Madueke (PSV)
It was determined that Madeuke was “a safe bet” to eventually make his way into Gareth Southgate’s senior squad after he finished the 2020/21 season with nine goals and eight assists for PSV.
Following his transfer from PSV to Chelsea in January 2023 for a reported fee of £29 million, the winger participated in his first senior England match, which took place in September 2024, against Finland. The interim manager, Lee Carsley, made the decision to call him up.
Emile Smith Rowe, who is twenty years old and plays for Arsenal
It was considered “unfortunate” at the time that the attacking midfielder did not make the cut for England’s squad in July of 2021 after being overlooked. “Smith-Rowe is laser sharp and exactly the kind of creative spark the Three Lions thrive on,” according to the investigation findings.
Smith Rowe has been a first-team regular at Fulham since he moved there from Arsenal in August of last year for a fee of £27 million. This is almost four years after the transfer.
He made his first appearance for England’s senior team in 2021, when they played Albania. He went on to score for the Three Lions in their first match, which was against San Marino. This article was written at a time when the 24-year-old player has earned three caps for his country.
20-year-old Curtis Jones, from Liverpool
According to the publication, Curtis Jones was a “all-action midfielder” and participated in 34 games across all competitions in the year 2020.
The article additionally stated: “His fiery nature spilt over with his red card against Croatia in the Euro 2021 quarter-finals, but his stellar credentials will surely see him handed senior caps soon.”
Jones, who has made 39 appearances across all competitions for Liverpool, who are currently in the lead in the Premier League, was awarded his first England cap by Lee Carsley in November 2024. The match was against Greece.
Furthermore, he scored on his very first game, which was followed by a match against the Republic of Ireland three days later.
20-year-old Tariq Lamptey, from Brighton
At the beginning of the year 2021, Lamptey, who was a prospect for Brighton, was considered to have the potential to “go on and become an England regular in the future.”
“For now, his next steps will be with the Young Lions, but Lamptey is another burgeoning wonderkid destined to eventually step out at Wembley,” according to the official statement.
Following his time spent playing for England at the youth level, Lamptey made the decision in 2022 to switch allegiances and continue playing for Ghana. In the time since then, he has earned eleven caps for the national team.
The 19-year-old Folarin Balogun of Arsenal
“So far, he has been capped at U17, U18 and U20 level for the Three Lions, and is another who will have dreamed of making the senior team.”
After receiving his first cap at the Under-20 level, the highly regarded Balogun was predicted to go on to become a future star with the Three Lions. This was due to the fact that he had such a successful beginning to his career with the Arsenal first-team.
Additionally, in the year 2023, the striker made the decision to switch his international allegiance from England to the United States. Now, he is a member of AS Monaco, a team that competes in Ligue 1; he has played for the United States of America 17 times and scored five goals.
Harvey Elliott (Liverpool, 18)
The so-called “pinnacle of the Three Lions’ system” beckoned for Elliott, who had recently penned a five-year deal with Liverpool when the report was published.
“His meteoric rise saw him receive his first England U17s call-up in October 2018, and he netted his maiden goal at that level the next month,” it added.
Almost four years on and Elliott has yet to make his senior England bow. The 21-year-old has made 21 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool this season.
Oliver Skipp (Spurs, 20)
According to the report, the route to his first senior England cap and regular Premier League football was “clear” for Skipp, who had just enjoyed a productive season-long loan spell at Norwich.
There are many people who believe that Skipp will one day lead England to victory, and he is a young man with a lot of experience and a lot of wisdom. “The report goes on to say that he is capable of playing the pivot role to absolute perfection.” “Provided his upward momentum continues, Skipp will be battling away for Southgate’s Three Lions soon enough.”
As of the time this article was written, the midfielder, who is 24 years old, has not made a single appearance for the senior England team. He is currently playing for Leicester City, a team that is struggling in the Premier League.
18, Liam Delap, who plays for Manchester City
After being linked with a move to Real Madrid, Delap was promoted to Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
“The 18-year-old’s progress was described as ‘incredible’, and Delap has gone from strength to strength after making his senior City debut last year,” the report says.
Three years later and the in-form striker continues to impress for Ipswich Town, but after scoring 10 goals in all competitions for Kieran McKenna’s side, Delap was not included in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad.
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