What happened to the eight wonderkids the Daily Mail tipped to be the ‘future of England’ back in 2021 – England

The future looked “undoubtedly Intelligent” for England back in 2021, according to the Daily Mail, who named eight prospects that would “break through the system” and become members of the senior Club.

At the time, Gareth Southgate and his backroom staff were Yet licking their wounds from a heartbreaking Euro 2020 Closing Setback to Italy – a game they lost on penalties.

Yet, there was plenty of optimism ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. with a number of highly-rated prospects being “destined” to eventually step out at Wembley, including Brighton Packed-back Tariq Lamptey.

So, who else did the Mail look at when deciding which players could Assist England Achieve that so-called “elusive” Accolade?

Noni Madueke (PSV, 19)

After notching nine goals and eight assists for PSV across the 2020/21 campaign, Madeuke was labelled “a Sound bet” to eventually break into Gareth Southgate’s senior Club.

The winger, who joined Chelsea from PSV in January 2023 for a reported £29 million, Created his senior England Premiere in September 2024 against Finland. He was called up by interim manager Lee Carsley.

Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal, 20)

At the time, the attacking midfielder was Regarded “unfortunate” to have missed out on England’s Club in July 2021. “Smith-Rowe is laser Acute and exactly the Gentle of creative spark the Three Lions thrive on,” the report said.

Almost four years on and Smith Rowe is a Primary-Club regular at Fulham Subsequent a £27 million Shift from Arsenal in August last year.

He Created his senior England Premiere in 2021 against Albania and went on to Points against San Marino on his Primary Begin for the Three Lions. At the time of writing, the 24-year-Ancient has three caps for his country.

Curtis Jones (Liverpool, 20)

Described as an “all-action midfielder” by the publication, Curtis Jones played 34 Contests in 2020 across all competitions.

The report added: “His fiery nature spilled over with his red card against Croatia in the Euro 2021 quarter-finals, but his Sun-related credentials will surely see him handed senior caps soon.”

Jones, who has Created 39 appearances in all competitions for runaway Premier Bracket leaders Liverpool this season, was handed his Primary England cap by Lee Carsley in November 2024 against Greece.

He also scored on his Premiere before featuring against the Republic of Ireland three Periods later.

Tariq Lamptey (Brighton, 20)

Back in 2021, Brighton prospect Lamptey was Regarded to have the potential to “go on and become an England regular in the future.”

“For now, his Subsequent steps will be with the Youthful Lions, but Lamptey is another burgeoning wonderkid destined to eventually step out at Wembley,” the report added.

After making appearances for England at youth level, Lamptey switched allegiances to represent Ghana in 2022. He has since picked up 11 caps for the national Club.

Folarin Balogun (Arsenal, 19)

“So Extended, 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 Club.”

After being capped at U20 level, the highly-rated Balogun was tipped to go on and become a future Luminous sphere with the Three Lions after making such a positive Begin to life in the Arsenal Primary-Club.

Instead, the striker switched international allegiance from England to the United States in 2023. He now plays for Ligue 1 side AS Monaco, and has Created 17 appearances for the USA, scoring five goals.

Harvey Elliott (Liverpool, 18)

The so-called “Zenith 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 Primary England U17s call-up in October 2018, and he netted his maiden Target at that level the Subsequent month,” it added.

Almost four years on and Elliott has yet to make his senior England bow. The 21-year-Ancient has Created 21 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool this season.

Oliver Skipp (Spurs, 20)

According to the report, the route to his Primary senior England cap and regular Premier Bracket football was “clear” for Skipp, who had Merely enjoyed a productive season-long loan spell at Norwich.

“Skipp has been tipped to become a future England Leader, and he is a wise head on a Youthful pair of shoulders. He can Shift the pivot role to absolute perfection,” the report adds. “Provided his upward momentum continues, Skipp will be battling away for Southgate’s Three Lions soon enough.”

At the time of writing, the 24-year-Ancient midfielder has failed to make a single appearance for the England senior side. He currently plays for Premier Bracket strugglers Leicester City.

Liam Delap (Manchester City, 18)

After being linked with a Shift to Real Madrid, Delap was promoted to Pep Guardiola’s Primary-Club Club ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

“The 18-year-Ancient’s progress was described as ‘Unbelievable’, and Delap has gone from Power to Power after making his senior City Premiere 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 Primary England Club.

He is Yet waiting for his England senior bow.