11 years ago, England were victorious at the Under-17 European Championships in Liechtenstein.
The Three Lions fought back from a goal down to beat a Spain team featuring the likes of Paco Alcacer and Gerard Deulofeu 2-1 in the final, and were tipped for big things.
A team filled with exciting talent, many of these players were expected to go all the way to the top.
However, despite their early promise players from this starting XI, in the main, have flattered to deceive.
Here’s who was triumphant that day.
JACK BUTLAND
Heralded as a potential goalie legend, Butland started off his career at Birmingham before moving to Stoke City in a £3.5million deal.
He made his full debut for England in a 2012 defeat to Italy – and is still to this day the youngest goalie to ever play for the Three Lions.
In 2015, he was handed the No1 jersey by Mark Hughes when Asmir Begovic left for Chelsea.
However, a series of injuries to a bothersome ankle hampered his progress.
Still only 27, Butland returned to form last season to be named player of the season by supporters.
Currently, he’s No2 at Crystal Palace after moving to the Eagles in the summer.
Jack Butland is currently No2 at Crystal PalaceCredit: PA:Press Association
BRUNO PILATOS
Originally a promising Middlesbrough full-back, Pilatos signed for Swedish side Ytterhogdal in 2016 after failing to secure first-team football.
He was released again in 2017, and in 2018 spent two months in Scotland with Livingston FC, according to his LinkedIn page.
Currently Pilatos is a free agent.
LUKE GARBUTT
Predicted to be the heir to Leighton Baines, Garbutt was an attacking left-back in a similar mould to the Everton legend.
But he failed to establish himself with the Toffees, and was sold to Blackpool in 2020.
He also had several loans with Ipswich Town – and has enjoyed loan spells at Fulham, Wigan and Oxford United in the past.
Luke Garbutt failed to make the grade at EvertonCredit: Dave Pinegar – The Sun
NATHANIEL CHALOBAH
When Chalobah was starring at centre half for England’s U17 team he was a promising Chelsea starlet, alongside brother Trevoh.
In 2012 he enjoyed a loan at Watford, impressed at Middlesbrough and Reading, which saw a move to Napoli.
In 2017, upon his return to the Blues, he was sold to Watford, where he has enjoyed some success but has suffered with injuries.
Nathaniel Chalobah has struggled with injuries at WatfordCredit: PA:Press Association
ANDRE WISDOM
The central defender managed to make 22 appearances with Liverpool, often at right-back.
But it was always going to be a big ask to break into a Reds side brimming with talent.
He has been playing in the Championship with Derby since 2017 after impressing on loan there during the 2013-14 season.
Andre Wisdom has been playing in the Championship with Derby since 2017Credit: JOHN CLIFTON
CONOR COADY
Coady failed to make the grade at Liverpool.
However, at Wolves he has proven to be a steady Premier League player – and is captain of the side.
In August he was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad, and has played three times for the Three Lions.
Conor Coady is now captain at WolvesCredit: PA:Press Association
WILL KEANE
The Manchester United starlet played three times at Old Trafford, but was never good enough to make the grade.
Most of his career has been spent plying his trade in the Championship with QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End, before he signed for Hull and Ipswich.
He now plays for Wigan. He has also made himself available for the Republic of Ireland.
Former Man Utd starlet Will Keane reps Ireland nowCredit: Rex Features
ROSS BARKLEY
The cream of the crop after breaking into the Everton side as a teen, Barkley showed flashes of brilliance that saw him compared to Paul Gascoigne.
Sadly, he never managed to sustain his form with the Toffees, and a move to Stamford Bridge in 2018 for £15million was seen as a chance for him to start afresh.
He hasn’t quite lived up to expectation at Chelsea, which is why he was shipped off to Aston Villa on loan.
But with Dean Smith’s side, the 27-year-old is showing glimpses of the old magic.
Ross Barkley moved to Chelsea in 2018 for £15millionCredit: Alamy Live News
JOSH MCEACHRAN
Chelsea product McEachran was dubbed a class outfit at youth level for the Blues because of his brilliance on the ball.
The tidy midfielder managed to play 11 times for the West Londoners, before he was sold to Brentford in 2017 for £750,000.
In 2019, he moved to Birmingham for a free transfer. He was released at the end of the January transfer window in 2021.
Josh McEachran played 11 times for the BluesCredit: Getty Images – Getty
BENIK AFOBE
The former Arsenal starlet was once targeted by Barcelona before committing a deal as a youngster with the Gunners.
Following a series of loans, most successfully at Wolves when they were in the Championship, Premier League Bournemouth paid £10million for Afobe’s services.
He failed to live up to standards of the top division, and is currently playing in Turkey for Trabzonspor – on loan from Stoke.
He has since gone on to play for DR Congo.
Ex-Arsenal starlet Afobe has found goals hard to come by at the top levelCredit: Getty Images – Getty
CONNOR WICKHAM
After showing promise with Ipswich in the Championship, the powerful centre forward signed for Premier League Sunderland in a deal worth £12million in 2011.
In his four years with the Black Cats he struggled for goals – scoring just 15 times in 91 games.
In 2015, Crystal Palace signed Wickham for £9million – but a serious knee injury put pay to his progress in South London.
Now, he’s on a loan deal with Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.
Connor Wickham celebrates scoring for Crystal PalaceCredit: PA:Empics Sport
Roy Keane lays into Ross Barkley ahead of England’s Euro 2020 clash with Bulgaria
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
