Every era in English football brings along a bunch of talented players who ultimately end up as legends for their respective clubs. However, the nation's expectations of the players to replicate similar success on the international stage has almost always ended in despair. For a country blessed with outstanding players over the years and home to arguably the most exciting league in the world, the World Cup win in 1966 is the solitary achievement.
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Every generation has brought about players who provide a new hope to improve the record but to no avail so far. The previous generation of Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes, John Terry, David Beckham, Gary Neville and a few more were dubbed as England's "Golden Generation” and were expected to be the best lot in a long time.
However, they barely made a ripple in the international landscape and now Wayne Rooney remains the only surviving member of that group. Moving on from them, recent years have seen the emergence of a new breed of English players unlike the previous ones with the continental flair evident in them. These players are once again ushering in another “Golden Generation” and thereby increasing the anticipation and expectation from English fans.
Let’s take a look at 5 such players who are set to be a part of the upcoming “Golden Generation” from defence to attack.
#5 Jordan Pickford, Sunderland
The only player not belonging to the top six clubs in England, Pickford is a product of the Sunderland academy. Having come up through the ranks including a number of loan spells has meant that he has already played in each of the top five divisions in English football and is the 22-year-old goalkeeper is the no.1 for Sunderland this season.
The young keeper at 6ft 1in is not the tallest, but he more than makes up for it with his command of the box and superb reflexes that have been vital in Sunderland’s fight against relegation.
Former Liverpool and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland, who was Pickford’s teammate during the latter’s loan spell at Preston North End, praised Pickford’s outstanding kicking ability and also added,“The thing which first caught my eye about him is his command of the penalty area. All goalkeepers make saves – that’s their job – but the thing with Jordan is his command of the penalty area. He comes out to take crosses with a rare authority for one so young.”
Pickford has represented England right from the U16s and won the 2016 Toulon Tournament with England as well. Although England currently boasts of top keepers such as Joe Hart, Fraser Forster and Tom Heaton, Pickford definitely has the ability to become the true heir to Hart. He has already been linked to Manchester United and Tottenham and if he keeps up his performances for Sunderland, it is only a matter of time that a big club and national caps come calling.
#4 John Stones, Manchester City
John Stones burst onto the scene at Everton during his time at Merseyside as a technically sound defender, which is a rare breed in England. His composure on the ball and willingness to keep possession were a welcome delight. His passing range was as good as any in Europe for a defender and he excelled initially.
However, mistakes started to creep in either due to lack of concentration or for spending too much time on the ball and conceding possession in dangerous positions. The intense media scrutiny did not help either.
When Pep Guardiola took over the Manchester City hot-seat in the summer, Stones was the obvious choice because Pep’s system needs the team to play from the back. Stones became the second-most expensive defender ever behind David Luiz and his season so far has been a case of ‘ Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’. While the technically astute, his errors leading to goals have been a cause for concern.
However, at 22 years of age and with the availability of Guardiola’s guidance, Stones has both time and support to fulfil his immense potential. It is well-known that experience is extremely important for defenders and Stones will only get better.
#3 Dele Alli, Tottenham Hotspur
Ever since the retirement of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, England have struggled to find a proper goalscoring midfielder. Enter Dele Alli.
The Tottenham midfielder has scored 20 goals and assisted 10 more in just 52 Premier League games in his career. To put it into perspective, the aforementioned members of the famed “Golden Generation”, Gerrard and Lampard scored 3 and 5 goals respectively from a similar number of games. In fact, Alli has been involved in more goals than Paul Scholes, David Beckham and any other midfielder of that era.
The fact that he is only 20 years of age further amplifies the quality he possesses and he could very well be the leader for the next generation. Playing as a “shadow” striker behind team-mate Harry Kane, Alli’s movement and finishing ability are top notch. Comfortable in playing as a no.10 or on the left wing, his intelligence and vision are superb for his age. Further, he is already in the process of becoming a clutch player which was evident from his superb brace against league leaders Chelsea.
Under the tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino, the sky is the limit for the youngster as he is already rated highly by people within and outside the club. In fact, the Spurs team could very well be built around him for the future. Overall, Alli is the complete package and a sure-shot part of the next “Golden Generation.”
#2 Raheem Sterling, Manchester City
There is something about Manchester City and their penchant for spending around £50 million for young British talents. Prior to the signing of Stones, City splashed the cash to obtain the services of young winger Sterling from Liverpool in the summer of 2015.
The highly rated youngster was snapped up by the Reds in 2010 and then went on to make his first senior appearance in 2012 before coming into his own in the 2013-14 season. He combined with Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge to devastating effect as Liverpool made a title push. His searing pace, movement and dribbling ability helped free up space for Suarez and Sturridge to score.
However, things went awry with the departure of Suarez to Barcelona and Sterling joined the blue half of Manchester in 2015. He had a difficult time in his first season at City, especially over the lack of end-product. Although it is acceptable at his young age, given the expectations people had of him and the transfer fee he commanded, Sterling struggled under the pressure.
However, the arrival of Guardiola rejuvenated him instantaneously. Guardiola loves wingers who take on defenders at pace and spread the play wide. Sterling, being exactly the same type of player, started blossoming under him and has 5 goals and 4 assists in the league this season.
Sterling already has close to 30 caps for England and it is fair to say he is yet to deliver. In the recently concluded Euro 2016, Sterling’s weak finishing was magnified to make him the scapegoat for England’s limp exit from the tournament. So, this season’s upturn in performances should be welcoming for the player and his supporters. Further, under Guardiola, he can truly become one of the best wingers of his generation.
#1 Marcus Rashford
The youngest player on the list at 19 years of age, Marcus Rashford burst onto the stage with a brace on his Manchester United debut in a Europe League match last February and becoming United’s youngest ever European scorer. He followed that up by another brace in his Premier League debut against Arsenal becoming the third youngest player at the club to do so at the club.
He further scored the lone goal at Manchester City to secure United their first away win in the Manchester derby since 2012 and also became the youngest ever scorer in the derby. Further, he scored on his League cup debut as well and also in his international debut against Australia last May, becoming the youngest Englishman to score on debut.
Such has been his impact at the senior level that it is fair to say he is a clutch player similar to Dele Alli. Bestowed with loads of pace and athleticism, Rashford has the vision and passing ability that can make him a complete striker down the line. The latter qualities are primarily due to his role as a no.10 while rising through the United ranks. Although his physicality needs improving and so does his fading out in games, Rashford is a bonafide goal scorer and a top player for his age.
The youngster finished just behind Renato Sanches of Bayern Munich in 2016’s Golden Boy award given to the best U-21 player in Europe, underlining his immense potential. If he continues to improve and perform at the same rate, then Manchester United and England have a world-class striker in the making who will lead the line for years to come with aplomb.
