sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
MATCH magazine's 'Premiership Wonderkids' list from 2002 has emerged and there are some belters

Home> Football> Premier League

Updated 20:14 4 Jan 2024 GMTPublished 18:23 4 Jan 2024 GMT

MATCH magazine's 'Premiership Wonderkids' list from 2002 has emerged and there are some belters

This is a blast from the past.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Back in 2002, football magazine MATCH released a list of the best wonderkids in the Premier League and it makes for fascinating reading 22 years later.

The list includes 20 different Premier League players tipped to make it to the top.

Naturally, not all of them fulfilled the potential they showed early in their careers.

MATCH described them as ' 20 Premiership Wonderkids who are red-hot prospects' and included six of them on the cover.

Advert

Those six include Wayne Rooney, John O'Shea, Milan Baros, Jermaine Pennant, Hugo Viana and Carlton Cole. Safe to say there are a few familiar names on that list.

Rooney ended up making his Everton debut at the age of 16 and scored a wondergoal against Arsenal to arrive on the world stage.

He later secured a move to Manchester United and became their all-time top goalscorer with 253 goals in 559 appearances for the Red Devils.

The future England legend won five Premier League titles and the Champions League during his 13 years at Old Trafford.

He became teammates and close friends with O'Shea in the process, who also won a slew of honours with the club. Baros last played for FK Vigantice in his native Czech Republic.

Pennant cost Arsenal £2 million from Notts County as a 15-year-old, a record transfer fee for a trainee at the time. Gunners boss Arsene Wenger saw something in him.

Pennant during his time at Arsenal. (Image
Getty)

Despite not making the grade at Highbury, Pennant did forge himself a solid Premier League career. He enjoyed spells at Birmingham, Liverpool and Aston Villa.

In the case of Viana, his career never really managed to get going. Signed by Sir Bobby Robson to eventually replace Gary Speed, the Wales international continued to outperform expectations. The youngster eventually returned to Sporting Lisbon before signing for Valencia permanently.

Carlton Cole spent several years out on loan from Chelsea before signing for West Ham United on a permanent basis. He ended up making 293 appearances for the Hammers across two separate stints.

Check out the entire top 20 below:

Cole ended up forging himself a strong career in the English top-flight. (Image
Getty)

20.) Michael Chopra (Newcastle United)

19.) Liam Ridgewell (Aston Villa)

18.) Luke Wilkshire (Middlesbrough)

17.) Jeremie Aliadiere (Arsenal)

16.) Chris Shuker (Manchester City)

15.) Darren Cartr (Birmingham City)

14.) Kieran Richardson (Manchester United)

13.) Filipe Oliveira (Chelsea)

12.) Hugo Viana (Newcastle United)

11.) Milan Baros (Liverpool)

10.) Stefan Moore (Aston Villa)

9.) John O'Shea (Manchester United)

8.) Vicente Vuoso (Manchester City)

7.) Carlton Cole (Chelsea)

6.) Jermaine Pennant (Arsenal)

5.) Grant Leadbitter (Sunderland)

4.) Adam Chambers (West Bromwich Albion)

3.) Kolo Toure (Arsenal)

2.) Thomas Butler (Sunderland)

1.) Wayne Rooney (Everton)

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Wayne Rooney, Premier League

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is SPORTbible's Senior Social Editor.

X

@DanMarland_

Recommended reads

Man Utd's 15 transfer targets to fill four key positions as at least six prepare to leaveGetty ImagesDennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridarts

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
  • X
    an hour ago

    World football star looks totally unrecognisable in rare public outing after retirement

    He's rarely been seen since stepping away from football.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Hashtag United leave fans baffled with latest announcement after asking to be relegated

    Hashtag United have provided update on their future following their request to be relegated this season.

    Football
  • Stewart Kendall/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
    an hour ago

    Ex-Premier League player opens up on health battle after devastating diagnosis

    The former Premier League star was diagnosed with the heartbreaking condition in March.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    3 hours ago

    Arsenal prepared to sign record-breaking striker to replace Viktor Gyokeres after he 'wows' Mikel Arteta

    Arsenal are set to raid Premier League rivals to sign striker to replace Viktor Gyokeres replacement as he impressed Mikel Arteta.

    Football
  • Duncan Ferguson faced Wayne Rooney in training-ground boxing match and one man 'hid away'
  • Man Utd Players Were Involved in Vile Dressing Room Incident Before Match
  • MATCH magazine's 'Premiership Wonderkids' list from 2002 has emerged and it makes for fascinating reading
  • Reason Why There are Two FA Cup Draws but Fans Only Get to See One on TV