England’s 2007 ‘crew of the longer term’ solely obtained 60 caps mixed after many flopped

On Jun 22, 2024

A 2007 prediction of England’s future XI has failed in spectacular fashion, with the selected players only amassing 60 caps between them over the past 17 years.

One publication took a gamble on forecasting the English football prodigies of the future 17 years ago, but their predictions fell significantly short – nine of their choices didn’t even make a single, solitary appearance for England in their career. Reflecting on the England side of 2007, Steve McLaren was leading a squad brimming with potential.

Paul Robinson was ruling the roost in goal, while Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Sol Campbell were the defensive backbone – supported by Ashley Cole and Micah Richards in their prime. The midfield boasted Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, David Beckham and Owen Hargreaves, while Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen were netting goals left, right and centre.

Following such a formidable line-up was no easy task, but it didn’t prevent some from speculating who would succeed the ‘golden generation’ albeit with limited success.

Predicted England XI of the future from 2007

Goalkeeper – Ben Amos
Right Back – Sam Hutchinson
Centre Back – Gavin Hoyte
Centre Back – Micah Richards
Left Back – Robbie Threlfall
Centre Midfield – Dean Parrett
Centre Midfield – Michael Johnson
Centre Midfield – James Henry
Right Wing – Theo Walcott
Left Wing – Scott Sinclair
Striker – Jose Baxter

Only two of the forecasted players received call-ups to the England squad; Theo Walcott and Micah Richards. Walcott had already been capped for the Three Lions at just 17 in 2006, having joined Arsenal by then. He went on to earn 47 caps for his country over the following decade, scoring eight times in total.

Richards found his major break with England while he was still representing Manchester City, landing a debut against the Netherlands in November 2006 when he was just 18. He would earn 13 caps for England, scoring his solitary goal in a 3-0 victory over Israel during the Euro 2008 qualifiers at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Gavin Hoyte collected three international caps during his career, albeit playing for Trinidad and Tobago. Following his departure from Arsenal, he has played for Dagenham & Redbridge, Gillingham, Barnet, Eastleigh, and now finds himself at Maidstone United at the age of 34.

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As for Michael Johnson, his professional footballing tenure lasted only six years before hanging up his boots in 2012, aged merely 24. He totalled just 44 appearances for Manchester City and Leicester City. In 2021, he cited not wanting “to be defined by football” as the reason behind his early retirement.

Jose Baxter was a mere 16 when he made his professional debut with Everton in 2008, becoming the second-youngest player to ever grace the league behind Fulham’s Matthew Briggs. Despite representing England at U16 and U17 level, it proved too much, too soon for Baxter who never quite developed enough to get the call. He retired at the age of 29 in 2020.

Jose Baxter never quite made the cut
(Image: Getty Images)

Scott Sinclair, on the other hand, will be fondly remembered by Celtic fans after netting 40 goals in his 105 Scottish Premiership appearances – but the skilful winger never quite managed to convince the Three Lions to come calling. A five-year stint at Chelsea saw him appear just five times for the team, instead being loaned out to Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic and Birmingham to further develop.

He signed with Swansea City in 2010, enjoying two years in Wales and featuring in almost every game for the side. Manchester City came knocking in 2012, only to loan Sinclair out to West Brom and Aston Villa – signing for the latter in 2015. After spending four years at Celtic, Sinclair moved on to Preston North End, before joining Bristol Rovers in 2022.

England Football Team Euro 2024