England’s Future Stars: Revisiting The Guardian’s 2008 Predictions
In 2008, amidst the disappointment of England’s failure to qualify for the Euro tournament, a glimmer of hope emerged in the form of promising young footballers. The Guardian newspaper published a report identifying 20 young players tipped to become the next generation of stars for the England national team. More than 16 years have passed since then, so how accurate were those predictions? Let’s take a look back at these touted future stars and see where their careers have taken them.
Following England’s painful defeat to Croatia, which dashed their Euro 2008 dreams, the spotlight turned to then-new manager Fabio Capello and the emerging crop of talented youngsters in English football. There was a palpable sense of anticipation, and clubs were eager to nurture the next big names.
Interestingly, reflecting the hype around youth talent at the time, Chelsea’s Michael Mancienne received an England call-up for a friendly against Germany shortly after this report was released, despite not even having made a Premier League appearance. This highlighted the excitement surrounding young English players and the hopes pinned on them for the future.
Who were these young men expected to don the England jersey and lead the national team to glory one day? Here’s the list of 20 players identified by The Guardian as potential England breakthroughs, along with an update on their footballing journeys:
The 20 Young Talents and Their Footballing Paths:
- Jose Baxter, 16, Everton
Considered a prodigious talent, some even said Baxter was “better than Wayne Rooney” at a younger age. He debuted for Everton’s first team at just 16, becoming their youngest ever player. However, despite 15 senior appearances for Everton, Baxter’s career trajectory took him through lower league clubs including Oldham Athletic, Sheffield United, and Plymouth. He last played in the USA’s USL Championship in 2020.
- Mark Beevers, 18, Sheffield Wednesday
A towering centre-back praised for his speed and aerial prowess, Beevers attracted Premier League attention early in his career. Now 35, the Barnsley-born defender currently plays for Bradford in the Northern Premier League Division One East. His career includes stints at Millwall, Bolton, Peterborough United, and even a spell in Australia with Perth Glory.
- John Bostock, 16, Tottenham Hotspur
Bostock was a highly-rated midfielder who became Crystal Palace’s youngest player before a move to Tottenham. Described as “tall, elegant, and visionary,” Bostock, now 33, has had a well-travelled career. He currently plays for Solihull Moors in the National League, having played for clubs across Europe, including Royal Antwerp, Lens, and Toulouse, and even reportedly rejected a significant offer from Barcelona.
Image: Getty - Nathan Delfouneso, 17, Aston Villa
After a first-team debut for Aston Villa in 2008, Delfouneso was seen as a top prospect. Now 34 and a free agent after a spell at Hednesford Town, another Northern Premier League club, his career included time at Blackpool, Blackburn, and Bolton.
- Fabian Delph, 18, Leeds United
A dynamic midfielder who attracted interest from top clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United, Delph enjoyed a successful career, though perhaps not initially at those giants. He retired in 2022 after leaving Everton. Notably, Delph won two Premier League titles and an FA Cup with Manchester City, demonstrating a strong career at the highest level.
- Daniel Drinkwater, 18, Manchester United
Predicted to reach the Premier League by The Guardian, Drinkwater achieved even more, experiencing an improbable Premier League title win with Leicester City in 2016. After being released by Chelsea, the former Manchester United youth player retired in 2023, marking a career highlight with that unexpected league triumph.
- Jordan Henderson, 18, Sunderland
Described as versatile, capable of playing wide or centrally, Henderson exceeded expectations. The future England captain moved to Liverpool in 2011 and had a trophy-laden 12-year spell, winning the Premier League and Champions League. Currently playing for Ajax after a brief stint in Saudi Arabia, Henderson has become a mainstay for both club and country.
Image: Getty - Gavin Hoyte, 18, Arsenal
Younger brother of Justin Hoyte, Gavin was praised for his pace and versatility in defence. He made a few appearances for Arsenal before moving to Dagenham & Redbridge in 2012. Now 34, Hoyte plays for Folkestone Invicta in the Isthmian League Premier Division, having built a career in the lower leagues.
- Henri Lansbury, 18, Arsenal
A powerful and creative midfielder, Lansbury was tipped for great things at Arsenal. While first-team opportunities at Arsenal were limited, he had successful spells at Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, and helped Luton Town achieve Premier League promotion. At 34, he now runs a business related to football pitches, showing a continued connection to the sport, albeit in a different capacity.
- Josh McEachran, 15, Chelsea
Highly sought after by clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid, McEachran was a Chelsea prodigy and England youth international. He plays for Oxford United in the Championship at 32 years old, after stints at Brentford, Birmingham, and MK Dons, showcasing a solid professional career within the English leagues.
- Jacob Mellis, 17, Chelsea
Another Chelsea youth product, Mellis made his Chelsea debut in the Champions League. Unfortunately, his career was cut short due to a knee injury in 2023 after playing for clubs like Barnsley and Blackpool. His early promise was not fully realized due to unfortunate circumstances.
- Victor Moses, 17, Crystal Palace
Described as strong and skillful, Moses represented England at youth level before choosing to play for Nigeria, for whom he earned 38 caps. Currently with Luton Town in the Championship, his career includes notable spells at Wigan, Chelsea (where he had considerable success), Liverpool, and Inter Milan, amongst others.
Image: Getty - Nile Ranger, 17, Newcastle United
Tipped for “Shearer-esque scoring feats”, Ranger made Premier League appearances for Newcastle. His career took a less conventional path, with spells at Swindon Town, Blackpool, and Southend. Now playing for Kettering in the Southern League Premier Division Central, Ranger acknowledges off-field issues impacted his potential to reach the Premier League consistently.
- Jack Rodwell, 17, Everton
Compared to Rio Ferdinand, Rodwell debuted for Everton at 16 and moved to Manchester City for a significant fee, winning a Premier League title in 2014. Rodwell, now 34, last played for Sydney FC in Australia, having had a career that included periods at the highest levels of English football.
- Freddie Sears, 18, West Ham United
A prolific youth scorer for West Ham, Sears had a rapid senior debut goal. He made over 50 appearances for the Hammers before joining Colchester United. Now 35, Sears is playing for Chatham Town in the Isthmian League Premier Division, continuing his passion for the game at a good level.
- Jonjo Shelvey, 16, Charlton Athletic
Captained England at youth level and tipped for senior international success, Shelvey earned six England caps while playing for Liverpool and Swansea. He currently plays for Burnley in the Championship, demonstrating a career that reached international recognition and consistent professional football.
- Danny Welbeck, 17, Manchester United
Praised for his skill and pace, Welbeck, likened to Nwankwo Kanu by Sir Alex Ferguson, has enjoyed a successful career. Currently at Brighton, Welbeck has 42 England caps and 16 goals, exceeding the initial predictions and becoming a reliable international player.
Image: Getty - Aidan White, 17, Leeds United
White debuted for Leeds as a teenager and made over 80 appearances for them. He went on to play for Rotherham, Barnsley, and Hearts. The 33-year-old defender last played for Rochdale in 2023, carving out a solid career in the professional leagues.
- Jack Wilshere, 16, Arsenal
Arsenal’s youngest league debutant, Wilshere was considered a major England talent. Injury issues unfortunately hampered his career, leading to retirement at 30. Now a first-team coach at Norwich City, Wilshere remains involved in football, transitioning into coaching after a promising but curtailed playing career.
- Michael Woods, 18, Chelsea
Debuted for Chelsea at 16, Woods’ first-team chances were limited. After joining Yeovil Town in 2012, he currently plays for Whitby Town in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, reflecting a career path outside the Premier League spotlight.
Final Verdict: While not all 20 players became household names for England, several achieved significant success in their careers. Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck stand out as clear successes from this list, becoming established England internationals. Others carved out respectable professional careers, even if they didn’t reach the predicted heights. It serves as a reminder of how unpredictable football development can be, and how many factors influence a young player’s journey.
Interested in reading the original 2008 report? Click here to read The Guardian’s article and see their initial predictions!