Who are the Three Lions’ brightest young prospects?
Wayne Rooney has just reached his 100th England cap, a magnificent achievement, but he has said that he would exchange them all to win something with his national team.
If Rooney is to play in a winning England team, he will need some amazing talent to emerge over the next few years. Here are some of the young players who could help a veteran Wayne Rooney to glory in 2018.
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Jack Butland (Derby, on loan from Stoke)
The keeper is finally getting some games at Derby, after being stuck on the bench for a while at Stoke. Has been exceptional for England’s U21s, and will hope to carry that form through into the senior side.
Calum Chambers (Arsenal)
Chambers was not even a regular for Southampton last season, but has been thrust into the middle of things at Arsenal because of their defensive injury crisis. The experience will hopefully serve him well in the future.
Nathaniel Clyne (Southampton)
Many people have been wondering if Arsenal didn’t go for the wrong Southampton full-back, with Clyne excelling in Chambers’ absence. Almost certain to move to a bigger club this summer, and will hopefully have plenty of Champions League experience by the summer of 2018.
Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest, on loan from Newcastle)
Premier League teams have been pursuing Lascelles for years, and it was Newcastle who finally got their man this summer. The 21-year-old will hopefully be England’s rock at the back by 2018.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea)
After many years Chelsea finally have a youngster who looks certain to become an England regular. Captain of the Blues’ FA Cup winning side earlier this year, the 18-year-old has an incredibly bright future ahead of him.
Luke Shaw (Manchester United)
Shaw is not having the easiest start to his United career, but that shouldn’t detract from the massive potential the youngster has as an attacking full-back.
Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion)
Currently with England after his first callup. Has proved he can score in the Premier League, and now must prove he can score for England too. Liverpool have been linked with the 21-year-old, and a move to a Champions League side would hopefully help his development.
James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
Another great young English prospect from the Southampton academy, Ward-Prowse has excelled this season after cementing a first-team place.
Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)
The young winger is massively highly rated, and if he fulfils his potential he could be England’s wildcard going into the 2018 tournament. He’s also eligible for Ireland though, so England would have to call him up soon to secure his services.
Ross Barkley (Everton)
Barkley’s breakthrough has unfortunately been slowed down by the injury he’s currently carrying, but fans of Everton and England alike will be hoping he returns after Christmas firing on all cylinders. His trickery and driving runs make him a real threat for opposition defences.
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
Recognised across Europe as one of the continent’s brightest young stars, Sterling will be the attacking key of the next generation England side. If he can form a good understanding with Rooney up front, even the biggest international sides will have to be wary.
Conclusion:
If all the players in this side fulfil their enormous potential, England could beat any team in the world. In fact, the question is, will a 33-year-old Rooney even be able to get into this team?