What happened to the eight wonderkids the Daily Mail tipped to be the 'future of England' back in 2021

The future looked "undoubtedly bright" for England back in 2021, according to the Daily Mail, who named eight prospects that would "break through the system" and become members of the senior team.

At the time, Gareth Southgate and his backroom staff were still licking their wounds from a heartbreaking Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy – a game they lost on penalties.

Still, there was plenty of optimism ahead of the World Cup in Qatar, with a number of highly-rated prospects being "destined" to eventually step out at Wembley, including Brighton full-back Tariq Lamptey.

So, who else did the Mail look at when deciding which players could help England win that so-called "elusive" trophy?

Noni Madueke (PSV, 19)

After notching nine goals and eight assists for PSV across the 2020/21 campaign, Madeuke was labelled "a safe bet" to eventually break into Gareth Southgate's senior squad.

The winger, who joined Chelsea from PSV in January 2023 for a reported £29 million, made his senior England debut in September 2024 against Finland. He was called up by interim manager Lee Carsley.

Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal, 20)

At the time, the attacking midfielder was deemed "unfortunate" to have missed out on England's squad in July 2021. "Smith-Rowe is laser sharp and exactly the kind of creative spark the Three Lions thrive on," the report said.

Almost four years on and Smith Rowe is a first-team regular at Fulham following a £27 million move from Arsenal in August last year.

He made his senior England debut in 2021 against Albania and went on to score against San Marino on his first start for the Three Lions. At the time of writing, the 24-year-old has three caps for his country.

Smith Rowe made his debut against Albania in 2021. Image credit: Getty

Curtis Jones (Liverpool, 20)

Described as an "all-action midfielder" by the publication, Curtis Jones played 34 games in 2020 across all competitions.

The report added: "His fiery nature spilled over with his red card against Croatia in the Euro 2021 quarter-finals, but his stellar credentials will surely see him handed senior caps soon."

Jones, who has made 39 appearances in all competitions for runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool this season, was handed his first England cap by Lee Carsley in November 2024 against Greece.

He also scored on his debut before featuring against the Republic of Ireland three days later.

Tariq Lamptey (Brighton, 20)

Back in 2021, Brighton prospect Lamptey was deemed to have the potential to "go on and become an England regular in the future."

"For now, his next steps will be with the Young Lions, but Lamptey is another burgeoning wonderkid destined to eventually step out at Wembley," the report added.

After making appearances for England at youth level, Lamptey switched allegiances to represent Ghana in 2022. He has since picked up 11 caps for the national team.

Folarin Balogun (Arsenal, 19)

"So far, he has been capped at U17, U18 and U20 level for the Three Lions, and is another who will have dreamed of making the senior team."

After being capped at U20 level, the highly-rated Balogun was tipped to go on and become a future star with the Three Lions after making such a positive start to life in the Arsenal first-team.

Instead, the striker switched international allegiance from England to the United States in 2023. He now plays for Ligue 1 side AS Monaco, and has made 17 appearances for the USA, scoring five goals.

Balogun is a regular for the United States national team. Image credit: Getty

Harvey Elliott (Liverpool, 18)

The so-called "pinnacle of the Three Lions' system" beckoned for Elliott, who had recently penned a five-year deal with Liverpool when the report was published.

"His meteoric rise saw him receive his first England U17s call-up in October 2018, and he netted his maiden goal at that level the next month," it added.

Almost four years on and Elliott has yet to make his senior England bow. The 21-year-old has made 21 appearances in all competitions for Liverpool this season.

Oliver Skipp (Spurs, 20)

According to the report, the route to his first senior England cap and regular Premier League football was "clear" for Skipp, who had just enjoyed a productive season-long loan spell at Norwich.

"Skipp has been tipped to become a future England captain, and he is a wise head on a young pair of shoulders. He can play the pivot role to absolute perfection," the report adds. "Provided his upward momentum continues, Skipp will be battling away for Southgate's Three Lions soon enough."

At the time of writing, the 24-year-old midfielder has failed to make a single appearance for the England senior side. He currently plays for Premier League strugglers Leicester City.

Liam Delap (Manchester City, 18)

After being linked with a move to Real Madrid, Delap was promoted to Pep Guardiola's first-team squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.

"The 18-year-old's progress was described as 'incredible', and Delap has gone from strength to strength after making his senior City debut last year," the report says.

Three years later and the in-form striker continues to impress for Ipswich Town, but after scoring 10 goals in all competitions for Kieran McKenna's side, Delap was not included in Thomas Tuchel's first England squad.

He is still waiting for his England senior bow.