I will be taking a look at the Daily Mail’s 2007 England’s Team of the Future and showing you where they are now.
As a nation we are quick to judge and praise young talent in this country and we never learn our lesson. From Francis Jeffers to Jay Spearing we seem to make the same mistakes when casting opinions on England’s youth talent and nothing was further from the truth than the 2007 ‘Team of the Future’.
Ben Amos
B-Tech Dean Henderson. Decent youth career at United and after a couple of appearances for the devils, he seemed sure enough to be a future England number one. But after a succession of loan moves, his future was destined to be in the Championship/League One. Valued at £225k, he would do a job in League One or even League Two if you have the funds.
Status: Active
Current Club: Charlton Athletic
Sam Hutchinson
Chelsea academy player, so you know he’s got a bit about him. Started his career as a full-back but slowly developed his game into a CDM, he would be someone you’d keep in your side for adaptability (think of him as a Championship Milner). 18 aggression, 17 bravery and 16 leadership, he would be an excellent addition to any Championship side.
Status: Active
Current Club: Sheffield Wednesday
Micah Richards
What do I even say about Micah… Powerful, athletic and could play across the backline, he is one of England’s unlucky ones. A string of injuries and a strange trip to Italy, Micah is better known for smiling a lot on Sky Sports now but you can find him on FM as a coach.
Status: Active
Current Club: unemployed
Gavin Hoyte
A lot of veteran FM players will know Gavin Hoyte. Arsenal academy graduate, his career looked to be set in 2008-09 season, when he was captain of Arsenal Reserves. Hoyte couldn’t quite cut the mustard at the top level and you can find him playing for Maidstone in the National League South.
Status: Active
Current Club: Maidstone United
Robbie Threlfall
I’m a Liverpool fan and I don’t even know who Robbie Threlfall is… A left back that came through the youth team ranks, Threlfall made one appearance for the Reds before being sent on a number of loans. His career seemed to come to an end in 2017 with Marine F.C being his last club.
Status: In-Active
Last Club: Marine F.C
Dean Parrett
The English Modric. I heard a lot of hype over Parrett back in the day and he certainly didn’t live up to it. You will find him plying his trade for League Two side Stevenage if you fancy signing the 30-year-old midfielder.
Status: Active
Current Club: Stevenage
Michael Johnson
I don’t blame the Daily Mail for getting this one wrong. Dubbed as ‘The Next Big Thing’ Johnson went down a different path after drink-driving offences, mental health issues and reoccurring knee injuries, his career was cut short and he retired at the age of 24. Real shame this one and an old FM wonderkid.
Status: Retired
James Henry
Decent player. Those of you who are FM veteran’s will know Henry very well. The former Reading, Wolves and Forest midfielder was a great signing in the earlier games and he is still worth a punt for your struggling Championship saves. He can play across the midfield and valued at £205k, I think he’d be a good addition.
Status: Active
Current Club: Oxford United
Theo Walcott
Taken to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, all eyes were on the former Arsenal winger and his career was a bit underwhelming to say the least. Walcott gave us glimpses of brilliance at Arsenal but not enough to make him an England regular and was soon a fringe player for his club and country. Stats slowly on the decline and if you take into consideration his value and wage, I wouldn’t suggest buying him for any of your top division saves.
Status: Active
Current Club: Everton
Jose Baxter
Former ‘Wonderkid’ Jose Baxter is certainly one of the biggest underachievers in this side. Bagsman on previous Football Managers, Baxter is now playing in the states for Memphis. His decline in near enough every physical attribute, now places him as a central midfielder and with his contract running out could be a decent signing for your lower league saves.
Status: Active
Current Club: Memphis
Scott Sinclair
Scott Sinclair. FM wonderkid and cult hero, he was one of the first English talents to bring flair, creativity and pace to the table. After being snapped up by Chelsea as a teenager, Sinclair found it difficult to call a place home and has been team dodging ever since. Now plying his trade in the Championship with Preston, his value and wage make him difficult to sign. Certainly will do a job in the Championship and worth a gamble if you have a bit of money in any saves abroad.
Status: Active
Current Club: Preston NE
As you can see the majority of players in this list didn’t make the cut and subsequently either retired or find themselves playing in lower divisions. So next time you are down the pub telling all your mates that Greenwood, Foden and Sancho are the future of England, please think carefully.
Oh and if you do have any success stories with the players mentioned, let us know as we are keen to find out if Baxter won the ballon d’or in 2011 on your save.
Completed Football Manager, so I write about it now. Sports Journalism graduate & East London’s answer to Cattermole.
