England’s Next Golden Generation

Golden Generations. A term that seems to be waved around in the current climate of international football. Gone are the days when there were 11 superstars in the great old teams of Spain, Italy, and even England. The process of having a talented squad of elite players that fans and pundits alike believe can be victories in major tournaments – that is a ‘Golden Generation’.

Are England currently having a Golden Generation? Maybe, there is an abundance of superstars at their disposal with players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Declan Rice, within the national set-up. However, the trophy cabinet, since 1966, continues to collect dust. The appointment of Thomas Tuchel offers something different – bringing new foreign and European philosophies to Wembley. One thing for English football fans to look out for is the next generation, which could become ‘Golden’. Coming through the ranks in England, are several talented young players who are playing and being nourished by the Big Six clubs that in the future could be glory for their country.

The youngest player in history to score on his senior #ThreeLions debut.

👏 @lewisskelly49 pic.twitter.com/htX0tPhoay

— England (@England) March 21, 2025

Miles Lewis-Skelly

Miles Lewis-Skelly. A name that has exploded in the Premier League this season – the young left-back that fired back at Erling Haaland. Rising through the ranks at Arsenal, Lewis-Skelly joined the club at the age, Lewis-Skelly developed his talents at the famous Hale End academy for eight years – making and scoring on his Under 18’s debut in a 6-1 win over Reading. Following the footsteps of recent academy graduates such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe, the Englishman made his senior debut on 22 September 2024 as Arsenal drew 2-2 away at Manchester City – the teenage would quickly make the headlines after being involved in a post-match altercation with Haaland. Lewis-Skelly would continue to be involved in Arsenal’s senior team, playing an inverted role as a left-back. On 2 February 2025, Lewis-Skelly would continue his brilliant breakout season, scoring his first professional goal in the Premier League as Arsenal thrashed Manchester City 5-1. The defender would re-enact the celebration of Haaland’s, and he had well and truly announced himself in the English top flight. In the present day, Lewis-Skelly has 14 senior appearances under his belt and now he has an England call-up as he joins up with Thomas Tuchel’s team for friendlies against Albania and Latvia. At the age of just 18 years old, as a player, the Arsenal defence still has plenty of growth yet to go, but from an England perspective, he has a very bright future.

Ethan Nwaneri

Every Batman needs their Robin – for Miles Lewis-Skelly, that is Ethan Nwaneri. Born and raised in North London, Nwaneri similarly joined the club at the age of eight – consistently playing up in age, by 14, Nwaneri was playing for the club’s Under 18s. An attacking midfielder and right winger by trade, Arsenal took no time at all to notice the youngster’s talent, playing him in the first team. Nwaneri would trade with the first team in the 2022-23 season before making his senior debut. The Premier League’s youngest-ever player, the Arsenal talent would come off the bench at the GTEC Community Stadium as the Gunners faced Brentford. Just 15 years and 181 days old, Nwaneri was yet to even sign his scholarship with the club, putting pen to paper in June 2023 in a scholarship deal that would see him turn professional once he had turned 17. The career of Ethan Nwaneri would continue to flourish from here with the starlet quickly making a name for himself. His first senior goals would come in the EFL Cup against Bolton Wanderers on 25 September 2024 – Nwaneri netting a brace. After scoring 10 goals and providing three assists in 13 games in the Premier League 2 last season, combined with Arsenal’s injury problems – the 17-year-old would gain a bigger role in North London this season. Midway through March, the Hale End product has made 19 appearances in the Premier League, scoring three goals and assisting one. The highly-touted attacker always making his UEFA Champions League debut – appearing in six matches and scoring twice. Nwaneri has been fantastic when given his chance in the Premier League and at the age of 17, he has the world at his feet. Whilst the Englishman may not have been called up to Thomas Tuchel’s English squad, he has been included in England's Under 21s squad for the first time and if he carries on his form – Nwaneri will be in the centre of England’s foundations for the foreseeable future.

Ethan Wheatley puts 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿U19 1-0 up vs 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 after 55 minutes with a clinical low+hard finish into the far bottom corner. Another excellent drive from deep before laying off to assist by Josh Acheampong https://t.co/B1hVJKzYDd pic.twitter.com/BAsmJVVslr

— The Next Wave (@_TheNextWave_) March 19, 2025

Josh Acheampong

Josh Acheampong may not be a name that many currently know, but he is one that will become a household. Coming through the Chelsea ranks, the 18-year-old’s future looked uncertain at the start of the season – Acheampong being in a stand-off with his boyhood club. With just 18 months left on his contract, the defender was frozen out at Stamford Bridge, the Blues persistent in keeping the youngster at the club but Acheampong becoming a topic of interest for Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain, and Bayern Munich. The Englishman would not be selected to play for any of Chelsea’s youth teams, also being barred away from Enzo Maresca’s first team. However, after signing a new five-year deal at the Bridge, Acheampong would be involved in UEFA Conference League action – playing the full 90 minutes against FC Astana and Shamrock Rovers in the Group Stage. The young defender had previously made his debut in the Premier League three days before his 18th birthday, being substituted on in Chelsea’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. Acheampong’s new deal greatly rewarded the defender likewise in domestic action – appearing as an unused substitute for four games, before making his first start in the Premier League against Crystal Palace, then backing it up with a consecutive start against Bournemouth. Acheampong would go on to make two more substitute appearances for the Blues, but he would spend most of his time in the Premier League 2. The Englishman offers a phenomenal athletic profile from a defender that could translate to England’s top-flight similarly to Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen. Operating across the board at the back, the 18-year-old predominantly plays as a centre or right back. The Chelsea youngster has a towering and skinny frame, combined with his fantastic athletic attributes that allow him to play at a rapid pace, strength in both ground and aerial duels, alongside an on-ball ability that allows him to drive forward in attack. Having represented England at Under 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20s level, the next step-up for Acheampong is to be involved in senior football and join up with the first team.

Tyrique George

Signings have been a constant under the Todd Boehly reign, with wide areas a typical focus. Nevertheless, one of Chelsea’s brightest wing talents has been in-house all along – Tyrique George has been at the club for 11, and at the age of 19-year, he is beginning to break into the first team. Rising through the Blues ranks at Under 18 and 21s level, the winger consistently played up in age – joining up with the 18s when just aged 16 and joining up with the 21s after turning 18. George’s most impressive season came after scoring 20 times to win the Under 18s Premier League title. The 18-year-old’s form in the youth rank caught the eye of former manager Mauricio Pochettino who would place him on the bench on three occasions, but George would not make his debut. Come the summer, it was time for more change at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino being replaced by Enzo Maresca – the Italian choosing to involve youth players in his first-team pre-season tour. Maresca remained consistent, handing opportunities to Cobham graduates. Alongside Acheampong, George would make his debut in the UEFA Conference League, appearing in Chelsea’s play-off second leg against Servette. Since his debut, the England youth international has had plenty of chances, making five Premier League appearances, two FA Cup appearances, and eight in the Conference League. At professional level, George now looks more than comfortable – a creative winger, who always chooses first to create for his teammates. Having represented England at youth level, in addition, the 18-year-old’s potential looks to be sky-high, and his involvement in the Three Lions senior squad could be in the not-so-distant future.

At 17 years, 4 months, and 14 days old, Shim Mheuka becomes the youngest player to start for Chelsea in a UEFA competition.

The record was previously held by Callum Hudson-Odoi, who made his first UEFA competition start at 18 years and 22 days old. pic.twitter.com/mZ1O0biVFL

— The Chelsea Spot (@TheChelseaSpot) March 6, 2025

Shim Mheuka

The Cobham production line always seems to keep production and their next talent to be moulded into Blue is Shim Mheuka. Joining the club from Brighton last summer, Mheuka is a clinical finisher, who at his young age has a mature and composed head in front of goal. Scoring 12 goals in 20 games last season for the Under 18s, the 17-year-old was quickly moved to the Under 21s, netting his first goal in a 6-0 victory over Fulham. The striker's incredible form and numbers at such a young age caught the attention of Maresca. Sitting in a competition such as the UEFA Conference League as a team like Chelsea, youngsters are bound to get opportunities in the early rounds – Acheampong and George being key examples. Mheuka would be the next teenager to benefit, becoming Chelsea’s youngest-ever starter in a major European competition at 17 years and 137 days. The 17-year-old would go on to make one further Conference League appearance before making his Premier League debut against Southampton in February. While a senior call-up for England may not be in the now for Mheuka, if he can stay on the correct path and release the limitless potential, he has shown at such a young age – the striker is bound to be a regular England international in the future.

Mikey Moore

There hasn’t been much to get excited or positive about in Tottenham Hotspur's season this year – 14th in the table with floods of discontent being waved towards Ange Postecoglou. However, the glimmers of hope and excitement for the future in North London are due to one of their own. Over the season, Mikey Moore has quickly become one of England’s top emerging talents. A tricky winger by trade, after making his Premier League debut last season, Moore has gone on to appear seven times this season for the Lilywhites. With just one assist provided in the English top-flight, Moore quietly made a name for himself in the UEFA Europa League, scoring once and assisting once. Tottenham’s youngest-ever player has also represented his country at Under 15, 16, 17 and 19s level – impressively scoring 10 goals in 12 games for the England Under 17s. Moore has a huge future at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, alongside a chance of being in England’s long-term plans.