A report from The Guardian in 2008 named 20 young players who had the potential to become “future stars” for the England national team – so how did they get on, more than 16 years later?
After failing to qualify for Euro 2008 following a now-infamous defeat to Croatia, all eyes were on Fabio Capello as a number of talented youngsters made their way onto the professional scene.
In fact, shortly after the below report was published, Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne was called up to play in a friendly against Germany, despite never playing a game in the Premier League.
The 20-year-old was one of several Chelsea youngsters who were being talked about at the time, so who else was being tipped to feature for England one day?
Here is that list of 20 players who were touted to breakthrough with England.
Jose Baxter, 16, Everton
Bootle-born Baxter was said to be “better than Wayne Rooney” at 14.
The report adds that he joined the Everton first-team squad that toured Switzerland and the US, and made his competitive senior debut with a substitute appearance against Blackburn in August 2008, becoming the club’s youngest first-team player.
He ended up making 15 senior appearances for the Toffees before joining then-League One side Oldham Athletic. Baxter went on to sign for Sheffield United and Plymouth. He last played in 2020 for USL Championship side Memphis 901.
Mark Beevers, 18, Sheffield Wednesday
Beevers was described as “deceptively quick across the turf and strong in the air” as the report mentioned that the 6ft 4in centre-half had already attracted interest from Premier League clubs.
The Barnsley-born defender, now 35, plays for Northern Premier League Division One East club Bradford. His previous clubs include Millwall, Bolton, Peterborough United and Perth Glory.
John Bostock, 16, Tottenham Hotspur
Bostock was tipped for greatness after becoming Crystal Palace’s youngest player, when he made his debut at 15 years 287 days before his “controversial” summer move to Spurs for an initial £700,000.
The report described him as “tall, elegant and visionary” but how did he get on?
The 33-year-old currently plays for National League club Solihull Moors following spells at Royal Antwerp, OH Leuven, Lens, Bursaspor, Toulouse, Doncaster and Notts County. He also turned down a 10-year contract from Barcelona.
John Bostock played four times for Spurs after signing from Crystal Palace. Image: Getty
Nathan Delfouneso, 17, Aston Villa
After making his first-team debut in 2008 against Hafnarfjorour, Delfounso was widely regarded as being one of Aston Villa’s top prospects after featuring regular in their reserves.
The 34-year-old is currently a free agent following a short spell at Northern Premier League Division One West side Hednesford Town. His previous clubs include Blackpool, Blackburn and Bolton.
Fabian Delph, 18, Leeds United
At the time, Ken Bates laughed off Newcastle’s £1 million bid for Delph, according the report, who point out that the midfielder was being chased by the “seriously interested” Arsenal and Manchester United.
Delph retired in 2022, just months after leaving Everton as a free agent. His previous clubs include Aston Villa and Manchester City, where he lifted two Premier League titles and an FA Cup.
Daniel Drinkwater, 18, Manchester United
Back in 2008, Drinkwater was tipped to grace the Premier League by The Guardian. More than seven years later, the midfielder lifted the Premier League title with Leicester City in one of the most remarkable moments in football history.
The former Manchester United youth product announced his retirement from professional football in 2023 after being without a club since he was released by Chelsea in 2022.
Jordan Henderson, 18, Sunderland
Henderson was described as “an elusive right-sided midfielder or deep-lying forward” who was “equally happy in the hole or drifting wide right”.
The future England captain would go on to sign for Liverpool in 2011 for around £16 million, where he would lift the Premier League and Champions League during a fruitful 12-year spell.
He now plays for Eredivisie side Ajax following a [very] brief spell at Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.
Jordan Henderson was named in Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad last week. Image credit: Getty
Gavin Hoyte, 18, Arsenal
Hoyte, the younger brother of former Arsenal full-back Justin, was praised for being “quick, athletic and astute both at right-back and centre-half” in the report.
After featuring 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 joining Dagenham & Redbridge in 2012.
The 34-year-old now plays for Isthmian League Premier Division side Folkestone Invicta following spells at Gillingham, Barnet and Eastleigh.
Henri Lansbury, 18, Arsenal
Lansbury was described as being “strongly built, powerful yet creative on the ball and a goal threat” as the then-England Under-17 midfielder was breaking through at Arsenal.
He played just eight games during his time in North London but enjoyed spells at the likes of Nottingham Forest, Aston Vila and Bristol City before helping Luton Town win promotion to the Premier League.
The 34-year-old now works on football pitches after a lockdown hobby developed into a new career, with his new business venture called Grass Gains.
Josh McEachran, 15, Chelsea
After persistent interest from Manchester United and Real Madrid, midfielder McEachran was included in the list after impressing then-Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. At the time, he was captain of the England Under-16s.
The 32-year-old now plays for Championship side Oxford United after spells at Brentford, Birmingham and MK Dons.
Jacob Mellis, 17, Chelsea
Mellis was tipped to feature for England after joining Chelsea from Sheffield United in the summer of 2007 for a £1 million fee. He made his senior debut for Chelsea in the Champions League but was released in 2012 following a five-year spell.
The former midfielder was forced to prematurely end his playing career in 2023 after a misdiagnosed knee injury. His previous clubs include Barnsley, Blackpool and Mansfield Town.
Victor Moses, 17, Crystal Palace
Described as “strong, skilful and quick” by the Guardian, Moses would feature at youth level for England before opting to play for Nigeria in 2012. He has since made 38 appearances for the country.
The winger currently plays for Championship side Luton Town. After leaving Crystal Palace in 2010, he played for Wigan, Chelsea, Liverpool, Stoke City and West Ham.
Moses during the 2018 World Cup. Image credit: Getty
Nile Ranger, 17, Newcastle United
Ranger was tipped for “Shearer-esque scoring feats” when he was included in the list. “The prolific striker, spirited north from Southampton’s youth set-up, has sat on the first team bench a few times already this season,” the report added.
The forward would make 26 Premier League appearances for the Magpies before leaving in 2013 for Swindon Town. His previous clubs include Blackpool, Southend and Boreham Wood. He now plays for Southern League Premier Division Central side Kettering.
He believes he’d still be playing in the Premier League had he not led such a troubled life off the pitch.
Jack Rodwell, 17, Everton
After making his first-team debut for Everton at the age of 16 years and 284 days, Rodwell was hailed for being “strong, quick and assured”, and was even being compared to Rio Ferdinand.
The midfielder spent five years at Goodison Park before joining Manchester City in 2012 for £12 million – a spell that featured a Premier League title win in 2013/14.
Rodwell, 34, last played for A-League side Sydney.
Freddie Sears, 18, West Ham United
Sears scored 25 goals in 24 matches for West Ham at youth level, which earned him a call-up to the first-team in 2007/08. In fact, it took Sears just five minutes and 16 seconds to score his first senior goal.
The forward made more than 50 first-team appearances for the Hammers before joining Colchester United in 2012. Previous clubs include Ipswich Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and Braintree.
The 35-year-old currently plays for Isthmian League Premier Division club Chatham Town.
Jonjo Shelvey, 16, Charlton Athletic
After captaining the England Under-16s in their 2007 Victory Shield campaign, Shelvey was tipped to make an impact with the Three Lions squad one day. And he did… kind of.
The midfielder picked up six England caps between 2012 and 2015 as he played for Liverpool and Swansea City. Shelvey currently plays for Championship side Burnley.
Danny Welbeck, 17, Manchester United
Welbeck was described as being “skilful, strong and pacy” by the Guardian, who mentioned his “prolific” scoring record for United at youth level. They also brought up Sir Alex Ferguson likening the “slightly unorthodox” striker to Portsmouth’s Nwankwo Kanu.
Now at Brighton, the striker has made a total of 42 appearances for England, scoring 16 goals.
Danny Welbeck continues to impress for Brighton. Image credit: Getty
Aidan White, 17, Leeds United
White made his debut for then-League One side Leeds during their 2008 Carling Cup defeat to Crystal Palace and was given a standing ovation upon being substituted, according to the report.
He would go on to make 85 appearances for Leeds, and would later feature for Rotherham United, Barnsley and Hearts. The 33-year-old defender most recently played for Rochdale in 2023.
Jack Wilshere, 16, Arsenal
After becoming Arsenal’s youngest league debutant at 16 years 256 days, Wilshere was widely regarded as one of England’s top talents.
The 33-year-old is currently a first team coach for Championship side Norwich City. After spells at West Ham and Bournemouth, he announced his retirement at the age of 30 following an injury-disrupted career.
Michael Woods, 18, Chelsea
At the age of 16 years and 275 days, Woods made his first-team debut for Chelsea in January 2007 after his talent was recognised by then-Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. His
appearances were limited to the FA Cup and in 2012, he joined Yeovil Town.
The 34-year-old nows plays for Northern Premier League Premier Division side Whitby Town.
