England is the birthplace of football. The country that gifted the beautiful sport to the world is often not the master of it. This is proved by the fact they have only one World Cup to their name to date. Though they have produced many talents in the past they weren’t able to gel together as a team and win top honours.
But this has changed in the past few years. England are constantly producing world-class talents in the last five years. They give a new ray of hope along with the current crop to win over the world again.
Incredibly honoured to win the @PFA Young Player of the Year award. There have been so many great young talents this year so it's a very special moment. Thanks to everyone for your support, especially the staff at @ManCity & my teammates as without you it wouldn't be possible 💙 pic.twitter.com/Chay8sRvon
— Phil Foden (@PhilFoden) June 6, 2021
English players have dominated the current CIES observatory most valuable players rankings. Phil Foden is the most valuable player in the world right now according to the list. He is accompanied by fellow Englishmen in Mason Greenwood, Marcus Rashford and Mason Mount in the top ten of the list. This speaks volumes about the talent they have and their ability to influence big games at such a young age.
Besides, they have an excellent crop of players coming through the academies. The Premier League clubs provide an excellent infrastructure for identifying and developing young talents. They also provide the facility of sharing training pitches and dressing rooms with some of the best players in the world. All these factors are helping England produce world-class talents who take out with the sky as their limit.
THE CURRENT STARS
Premier League clubs are oozing with English talents. Defending Champions Manchester City have Phil Foden, the most valuable player on their hands. He was carefully developed by Pep Guardiola from the academy into a world-beater.
They have also groomed another talent in Jadon Sancho before the winger made a move to Germany and eventually to rivals Manchester United. The Red Devils themselves have Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford, who are the second and third most valuable players in the world in their ranks.
Your August Player of the Month is: @MasonGreenwood! 👏#MUFC pic.twitter.com/ojxdFavQx2
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 4, 2021
Their rivals on the Merseyside possess incredible talents as well. Liverpool have Trent Alexander Arnold who is an already established performer on the world stage. Trent was slowly integrated by Jurgen Klopp into the first team and proved to be the best in his position at a very young age. The blue side of Merseyside has Dominic Calvert Lewin, who is developing into a fine striker for Everton and England.
The London clubs possess a horde of stars for now and the future. Chelsea’s academy and their use of the loan system has seen them produce star players. Mason Mount, the 10th most valuable player in the world broke out while on loan at Derby and never looked back after getting the chance for Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge outfit have energetic full-back Reece James who could give Alexander Arnold a run for his money. They have also sold plenty of young talents to maintain their lean squad.
Here he is… 🤩
You voted @BukayoSaka87 as your @bt_uk Player of the Match! pic.twitter.com/7RnZYFfCG0
— England (@England) September 6, 2021
Their London rivals Arsenal stuck gold with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe. The youngsters exploded together for the Gunners last season with crucial goals and assists lifting them to a respectable eighth position. They hold the key to another successful season. Tottenham also have one Oliver Skipp who could become a top-class talent.
THE ONES FOR THE FUTURE
The Championship has been an excellent breeding ground for world-class talents in England. The competitive nature of the league and the staggering amount of fixtures at a brisk pace demand a larger squad. Hence, the youngsters get more chances to express themselves and get a chance for earning a move to bigger clubs.
Harvey Elliott, ladies and gentlemen 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/AP3o69y6sK
— Liverpool FC USA (@LFCUSA) August 28, 2021
Premier League clubs take the benefit of these talents. A wealth of talents were poached away to the top flight. Kaide Gordon joined Liverpool from Derby County and is already earning rave reviews from the Merseyside top dogs. Similarly, Harvey Elliott who became the youngest Premier League player for Fulham joined Liverpool and is eyeing a breakout season.
Crystal Palace have tested their luck with Eberechi Eze of QPR formerly. The young winger impressed everyone in his debut season at Selhurst Park by notching up some goals and assists. A cruel injury ended his season and is keeping him away from the current season. They have again raided the Championship for Micheal Olise a bright attacking midfielder.
Brighton and Hove Albion developed Ben White into a leader of the defence and sold him to Arsenal for a handsome fee. They have also bought Tariq Lamptey, an exciting wing back from Chelsea. Southampton too ripped Chelsea of young talent in Tino Livramento.
One year already! Mad.
I’m loving my time here and can’t wait to get back on the pitch in front of you all at Selhurst 🥰 https://t.co/xqvZokxEhW
— Ebere (@EbereEze10) August 28, 2021
Brentford made a wonderful start to life in the top flight. They banked on the players who helped them succeed in the Championship. They made Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma and youngster Joshua da Silva. Joshua da Silva had a brilliant season and was the driving force for the bees before an untimely injury robbed him of glory. Silva is a gifted box to box midfielder who could slot into bigger teams with ease.
THE ROAD TO GLORY
England have identified youth is the key to success on the world stage. The Three Lions have seen heartbreaks on the international stage time and time again. The ill-fated Golden Generation, filled with superstars never clicked as a team. They didn’t want a repeat of that with the Golden Generation assembled currently.
Gareth Southgate is mixing experience with youth perfectly and the team is heading in the right direction. A semi-final finish at the World Cup was completed with a strong run to the finals at the recently concluded Euros. In fact, they were a couple of penalties away from a historic win. Southgate has a year now to better his team and go for the big prize at the 2022 World Cup.
The seeds have been sown a long time ago as the FA and the clubs gave utmost importance to the development of youth. A strong under 19 contingent was sent to India for the 2017 Under 19 World Cup. The Three Lions were utterly dominant in the tournament with stars like Phil Foden, Jadon Sancho and Rhian Brewster emerging. They won the tournament and the project was a grand success.
• 2017 FIFA Under-20 World Cup
• 2017 Toulon Tournament
• 2017 UEFA Under-19 EURO
• 2017 FIFA Under-17 World CupFrom 2017 to 2021, years in the making. pic.twitter.com/dEj8PMN4CA
— Scouted Football (@scoutedftbl) June 1, 2021
This gave confidence for the top clubs to invest more resources into the academies and scouting networks to unearth gems. Hence the English clubs and England as a nation are producing world-class talents again with an eye on world domination.
