Jack Butland-19
Kyle Walker-22 Phil Jones-20 Chris Smalling-23 Kieran Gibbs-22
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain-19 Jack Rodwell-21 Tom Cleverly-23 Jack Wilshere-21
Danny Welbeck-23 Theo Walcott-23
The last major trophy of any sort for this success craving nation was the 1966 World Cup nearly 50 years ago, which is an amazing drought from one of the so-called football powerhouses. A recent friendly against five time World Cup winners Brazil played at Wembley stadium turned into a very impressive England victory with lots of young talent, proving that England’s future looks rosy. I can hear the shouts from the bleachers; “it was only a friendly!”. Yes, it was only a friendly, but Brazil doesn’t like losing!
In reality, it was more the the manner in which England played that had me and many critics purring. Wilshere was everywhere on the pitch, spraying the ball around like it was Sunday afternoon kick-about; he just has a natural ability that only the truly great have, and while still only 21, he quite literately has the football world at his silky feet. Next to him in midfield the Manchester United starlet Tom Cleverly at only 23 (so at least 3 or 4 years before he reaches his prime), is a great passer with an eye for that killer pass that can produce that real quality – not to mention, he also works his socks off too. Imagine Wilshere/Cleverly running the England midfield for next 10 years or so – now that’s a good feeling for English fans!
Next up, Theo Walcott seems like he’s been around for ages, but still at only 23 just signed a long term at Arsenal. This season, Walcott has really blossomed, turning from a boy to a man – and really beginning to be the main man. He has unbelievable speed that not many defenders can handle. His final product and finishing have come on leaps and bounds. He will likely be an England starter for the next decade.
Full-back Kyle Walker, at only 22 years of age, again has progressed at an incredible rate. A Spurs regular who gets forward, scores goals and can use his pace to cover round the centre half, is a top quality prospect. On the Left side Kieran Gibbs was excelling for Arsenal this season before sadly getting injured again. He has a great engine with a sweet left foot and is very quick at getting back when danger is around.
So far I have named 5 quality players all under 23 but it doesn’t stop there -Manchester United centre halves Phil Jones and Chris Smalling are another pair of talented players that could well be a formidable partnership, both at club and country levels for next 10 to 12 years.
In goal Birmingham’s Jack Butland is still a baby at 19, but has been around the England team for a while now, and has proved his quality at the club level. He could very well develop into a top international keeper.
Next to the party is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, a young kid (only 19 years old!) that has God-given talent to play football. Since joining Arsenal he hasn’t stopped improving his speed. A quality crosser, that has begun to score more goals lately, is again a massive prospect.
The last player on the future England team sheet is Manchester United’s Danny Wellbeck. At only 23 years old, he has great movement to go with his pace, a good finishing and can bring others into the game; another emerging England regular.
So there’s eleven future superstars (could have named a lot more) all with the footballing world at their feet. This is a group that could turn a nation’s football fortunes around. The next World Cup in Brazil (2014) might come a year or two too soon for this squad to be at its peak performance level, but the 2018 World cup will be perfectly timed for these players to have reached their prime. Now whisper this very quietly if you are an Englishman (I had a lot of false dawns), but this crop of highly talented players really could get Three Lions back to the glory days!
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