12 years ago, Sven-Goran Eriksson surprisingly called an untested Theo Walcott up to this England 2006 World Cup squad. While the now Everton winger failed to register a minute of action in Germany, it still set the precedent that it’s never impossible to rule out a breakthrough youngster making a senior squad for a major international tournament.
Here, we outline six youngsters across Europe’s top five leagues vying for a spot with their respective national team at the World Cup this summer
Ryan Sessegnon
Ryan Sessegnon has scored 14 league goals this season. Every other teenager in the Championship combined have 13 goals to their name. The Fulham star is enjoying a fine campaign and interest in the teenager is high as the transfer window edges closer to opening. With the upcoming international break looming, there are strong rumours that Sessegnon could be handed the chance to impress on the national stage, despite not being legally able to drink until mid-May.
As the Cottagers chase an automatic Premier League spot, Sessegnon is one of the driving forces from the left, either at left-back or on the left wing. If can maintain his flying form between now and May, then the calls for a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad will reach deafening new levels. It would be a shock, of course, but it’s difficult to turn a blind eye away from the 17-year-old’s exceptional performances in west London.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
With Nathaniel Clyne still recovering from injury, two young defenders have had the opportunity to establish themselves as first choice right-back for Liverpool. First is teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the fan favourite Liverpool born and bred defender excelling after breaking through the ranks. Handed his debut under Jurgen Klopp, the 19-year-old doesn’t look out of place in senior football, both domestically and in European action.
He may have only started 12 of 29 Premier League game for the Reds this term, but he’s churned out a number of performances beyond his years in the Liverpool first team setup. Alexander-Arnold has blossomed in part due to the insistence of the full-backs to help stretch opponents, as returns of 1.3 key passes, 1.3 dribbles and 1.2 accurate crosses per game highlight. Kyle Walker is England’s number one right-back at present, but with Clyne injured, there’s an opening for an understudy to the Manchester City man. Alexander-Arnold could prove to be the perfect fit.
Joe Gomez
Of course, Liverpool teammate Joe Gomez will have something to say about that, with Alexander-Arnold battling with 20-year-old for a starting spot in Jurgen Klopp’s Reds XI. In addition, Gomez’s versatility stands him in better stead than Alexander-Arnold with the defender able to play right-back, left-back and centre-back where needed.
Crucially still is Gomez already boasts international experience having made his debut against Germany before expertly nullifying Neymar in a man of the match display against Brazil on his first ever start for the Three Lions back in November. It’s possible the former Charlton man, who has battled back from a lengthy injury spell valiantly, will be part of Southgate’s team when the England squad is announced next week and justifiably so.
He may not offer the same attacking vigour as Alexander-Arnold, but his defensive solidity - a return of 2.5 tackles per game ranks among the top 20 players in the Premier League - coupled with an ability to play any number of positions across the defence nudges him ahead of his Reds teammate in the pecking order.
Malcom
Thought to have been an the centre of a transfer tug of war between north London pair Tottenham and Arsenal during the January transfer window, Malcom has been a shining light in a disappointing Bordeaux side that has struggled to realise their full potential this term. Languishing in 9th, Malcom hasn’t allowed the underwhelming performances of Les Girondins affect his personal displays. He has eight goals and six assists to his name in Ligue 1 this season, with Bayern now believed to be leading the race for the 21-year-old.
A willingness to start from the right before letting fly with his wicked left foot, Malcom could prove to be Tite’s secret weapon in Russia. The uncapped winger is certainly staking his claim for a spot in his the Brazil setup for the upcoming international break. Tite may already have 15 of his 23-man squad for the World Cup in place, but with eight spots up for grabs, Malcom could be the surprise inclusion this summer. If he can continue his fine attacking form, the 56-year-old may find it too hard to ignore the cries for the Bordeaux star to earn international recognition, even accounting for his inexperience at that level.
Nordi Mukiele
Only PSG (19) have conceded fewer goals than Montpellier (22) in Ligue 1 this season and much of that has been down to the mature displays of youngster Nordi Mukiele. La Paillade landed themselves a bargain when they signed Mukiele from Laval in 2017 and the 20-year-old has come on leaps and bounds since establishing himself as a first team regular. A capable performer at both centre-back and right-back, there’s a very good reason why Manchester City were tentatively linked with a move for the defender in January.
If he can maintain his superb displays at the back, then it won’t just be a number of Europe’s elite keeping tabs of Mukiele, but France head coach Didier Deschamps too. Les Bleus’ youth team players are the envy of football and the Montpellier ace could be the next to announce himself to the watching world.
Of course, he has plenty of competition standing between himself and a spot in the France squad - Deschamps has the luxury of being able to call upon young defenders Samuel Umtiti, Raphael Varane, Aymeric Laporte and Presnal Kimpembe, among others - but Mukiele is making the right impression as 2.2 tackles and 2.3 interceptions per game highlights. Should Montpellier land a European finish, then plenty of attention will turn to the south of France, with poster boy Mukiele the star of the show.
