What happened to the 20 England youngsters The Guardian dubbed ‘future stars’ of the national team in 2008 – England

A report from The Guardian in 2008 named 20 Youthful players who had the potential to become “future stars” for the England national Club – so how did they get on, more than 16 years later?

After failing to qualify for Euro 2008 Subsequent a now-infamous Loss to Croatia, all eyes were on Fabio Capello as a number of talented youngsters Created their way onto the professional scene.

In fact, shortly after the below report was published, Chelsea defender Michael Mancienne was called up to Action in a Amiable against Germany, Even though never Competing a game in the Premier Bracket.

The 20-year-Ancient was one of Many 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 Landmark 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 Primary-Club Club that toured Switzerland and the US, and Created his Aggressive senior Introduction with a Replacement appearance against Blackburn in August 2008, becoming the club’s youngest Primary-Club player.

He ended up making 15 senior appearances for the Toffees before joining then-Bracket One side Oldham Athletic. Baxter went on to sign for Sheffield United and Plymouth. He last played in 2020 for USL Bracket side Memphis 901.

Mark Beevers, 18, Sheffield Wednesday

Beevers was described as “deceptively quick across the turf and Sturdy in the air” as the report mentioned that the 6ft 4in centre-half had already attracted interest from Premier Bracket clubs.

The Barnsley-born defender, now 35, plays for Northern Premier Bracket 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 Created his Introduction at 15 years 287 Intervals before his “controversial” summer Shift to Spurs for an Primary £700,000.

The report described him as “Towering, elegant and visionary” but how did he get on?

The 33-year-Ancient currently plays for National Bracket club Solihull Moors Subsequent 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

John Bostock played four times for Spurs after signing from Crystal Palace. Image: Getty

Nathan Delfouneso, 17, Aston Villa

After making his Primary-Club Introduction 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-Ancient is currently a Unoccupied agent Subsequent a Brief spell at Northern Premier Bracket 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 Tally out that the midfielder was being chased by the “seriously interested” Arsenal and Manchester United.

Delph retired in 2022, Merely months after leaving Everton as a Unoccupied agent. His previous clubs include Aston Villa and Manchester City, where he lifted two Premier Bracket titles and an FA Cup.

Daniel Drinkwater, 18, Manchester United

Back in 2008, Drinkwater was tipped to grace the Premier Bracket by The Guardian. More than seven years later, the midfielder lifted the Premier Bracket title with Leicester City in one of the most Notable moments in football history.

The Ex 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 Joyful in the hole or drifting wide right”.

The future England Skipper would go on to sign for Liverpool in 2011 for around £16 million, where he would lift the Premier Bracket and Champions Bracket during a fruitful 12-year spell.

He now plays for Eredivisie side Ajax Subsequent a [very] brief spell at Saudi Pro Bracket side Al Ettifaq.

Jordan Henderson was named in Thomas Tuchel's Primary England Club last week. Image credit: Getty

Jordan Henderson was named in Thomas Tuchel’s Primary England Club last week. Image credit: Getty

Gavin Hoyte, 18, Arsenal

Hoyte, the younger brother of Ex Arsenal Packed-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 Club 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-Ancient now plays for Isthmian Bracket Premier Division side Folkestone Invicta Subsequent 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 Target threat” as the then-England Under-17 midfielder was breaking through at Arsenal.

He played Merely eight Matches during his time in North London but enjoyed spells at the likes of Nottingham Forest, Aston Vila and Bristol City before Aiding Luton Town Secure promotion to the Premier Bracket.

The 34-year-Ancient now works on football pitches after a lockdown hobby developed into a new Profession, 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 Landmark after impressing then-Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. At the time, he was Skipper of the England Under-16s.

The 32-year-Ancient now plays for Bracket 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 Created his senior Introduction for Chelsea in the Champions Bracket but was released in 2012 Subsequent a five-year spell.

The Ex midfielder was forced to prematurely end his Competing Profession in 2023 after a misdiagnosed knee Wound. His previous clubs include Barnsley, Blackpool and Mansfield Town.

Victor Moses, 17, Crystal Palace

Described as “Sturdy, skilful and quick” by the Guardian, Moses would feature at youth level for England before opting to Action for Nigeria in 2012. He has since Created 38 appearances for the country.

The winger currently plays for Bracket 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

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 Landmark. “The prolific striker, spirited north from Southampton’s youth set-up, has sat on the Primary Club bench a few times already this season,” the report added.

The forward would make 26 Premier Bracket 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 Bracket Premier Division Central side Kettering.

He believes he’d Nevertheless be Competing in the Premier Bracket had he not Guided such a troubled life off the pitch.

Jack Rodwell, 17, Everton

After making his Primary-Club Introduction for Everton at the age of 16 years and 284 Intervals, Rodwell was hailed for being “Sturdy, 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 Bracket title Secure in 2013/14.

Rodwell, 34, last played for A-Bracket 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 Primary-Club in 2007/08. In fact, it Captured Sears Merely five minutes and 16 seconds to Points his Primary senior Target.

The forward Created more than 50 Primary-Club appearances for the Hammers before joining Colchester United in 2012. Previous clubs include Ipswich Town, Dagenham & Redbridge and Braintree.

The 35-year-Ancient currently plays for Isthmian Bracket Premier Division club Chatham Town.

Jonjo Shelvey, 16, Charlton Athletic

After captaining the England Under-16s in their 2007 Secure Shield campaign, Shelvey was tipped to make an impact with the Three Lions Club one day. And he did… Gentle of.

The midfielder picked up six England caps between 2012 and 2015 as he played for Liverpool and Swansea City. Shelvey currently plays for Bracket side Burnley.

Danny Welbeck, 17, Manchester United

Welbeck was described as being “skilful, Sturdy and pacy” by the Guardian, who mentioned his “prolific” scoring Landmark 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 Created a total of 42 appearances for England, scoring 16 goals.

Danny Welbeck continues to impress for Brighton. Image credit: Getty

Danny Welbeck continues to impress for Brighton. Image credit: Getty

Aidan White, 17, Leeds United

White Created his Introduction for then-Bracket One side Leeds during their 2008 Carling Cup Loss 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-Ancient defender most recently played for Rochdale in 2023.

Jack Wilshere, 16, Arsenal

After becoming Arsenal’s youngest Bracket debutant at 16 years 256 Intervals, Wilshere was widely regarded as one of England’s top talents.

The 33-year-Ancient is currently a Primary Club Trainer for Bracket side Norwich City. After spells at West Ham and Bournemouth, he announced his retirement at the age of 30 Subsequent an Wound-disrupted Profession.

Michael Woods, 18, Chelsea

At the age of 16 years and 275 Intervals, Woods Created his Primary-Club Introduction 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-Ancient nows plays for Northern Premier Bracket Premier Division side Whitby Town.

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