The Three Lions aren't short of talented young players but the conveyor belt is showing no signs of slowing down as a new generation emerges
Being an England football fan has rarely felt so good. While the Three Lions' search for a first tournament win since 1966 goes on, the way in which Sir Gareth Southgate was able to lead a young group of players to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final highlighted the level of talent that is now being produced by one of world football's perennial underachievers.
From Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden to Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka, England now have a core group of players who still have their best years ahead of them, and with Thomas Tuchel about to take charge of his first games since replacing Southgate, hopes are high that 50 years of hurt will be ended at the 2026 World Cup in North America.
The cupboard isn't about to run dry, either. GOAL's annual countdown of the top teenage footballers in the world, NXGN, featured nine English players in 2025 – more than any other country – and there were plenty of others under consideration too.
Here, then, are the 20 best English players born on or after January 1, 2006 to keep an eye out for in future England squads…
Getty Images SportJosh Acheampong (Chelsea)
Back in late 2024, there was a very real fear around Chelsea that they were about to lose Josh Acheampong. The talented right-back was refusing to sign a new contract and with the likes of Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich circling, it felt like the departure of yet another homegrown starlet was inevitable for the big-spending Blues.
However, it was announced in December that the 18-year-old had agreed a new long-term deal to remain at Stamford Bridge, and he has since begun forcing his way into Enzo Maresca's first-team plans while showcasing impressive versatility by slotting in at centre-back with relative ease.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportHarrison Armstrong (Everton)
Good news has been in short supply for Everton fans in recent years, but as the Toffees prepare to move into their new stadium at Bramley Moore with their Premier League status secured, the signs are that they will have a homegrown midfielder to build a team around over the next decade in the shape of Harrison Armstrong.
The 17-year-old made his first-team debut for the Merseysiders at the start of the 2024-25 campaign before earning a handful of Premier League appearances under Sean Dyche. In a bid to gain further experience, Armstrong was then loaned out to Derby County in January and he is earning rave reviews after some excellent performances for the Rams as they bid to avoid relegation from the Championship.
Getty Images SportTyler Dibling (Southampton)
Southampton almost certainly won't be sticking around in the Premier League as they edge ever closer to relegation, but at least one of the Saints' players will be remaining in the top flight, with Tyler Dibling set to be the subject of a bidding war this summer having established himself as one of the best prospects in English football.
The 19-year-old, who briefly spent time at Chelsea in the summer of 2022 before returning to St. Mary's, has oozed confidence since becoming a regular on the south coast, while Dibling's versatility in attacking areas has also likely played a part in the likes of Tottenham and Newcastle considering moves for him, though they could yet face competition from Bayern Munich if reports are to be believed.
Getty Images SportMax Dowman (Arsenal)
Arsenal became the first team to give a Premier League debut to a 15-year-old when Ethan Nwaneri made his Gunners bow at Brentford back in 2022 and, if Mikel Arteta had his way, he likely would have followed suit in handing Max Dowman his first taste of top-flight football before he turns 16 in December.
As it is, the attacking midfielder is being made to wait due to Premier League rules, but Dowman has already trained with Arteta's senior squad on a number of occasions having shown he can mix it with players who are years ahead of him after becoming the youngest player to ever score in the prestigious UEFA Youth League earlier this season.