Year 2000: World Soccer's 100 Most Promising Youths

The Bulk wrote:Here's a similar list for English talent in 1999

1.Michael Owen
2.Joe Cole
3.Rio Ferdinand
5.Frank Lampard
6.Jonathon Woodgate
9.Emile Heskey

The Bulk wrote:Here's a similar list for English talent in 1999

1.
Name: Michael Owen
Current Club: Liverpool (Eng)
Date of Birth: 14/12/1979
Position: Striker
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Everyone knows of Michael Owen since France 98, but injuries have hampered his progress recently for Liverpool & England. If fit he will be one of the stars of Euro 2000 now England have assured qualification.
I think he has done enough in his career to look back and say that it was a good career , not great not legendary but good.
2.
Name: Joe Cole
Current Club: West Ham United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 08/11/1981
Position: Attacking Midfielder
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Now a regular in the Hammers first team at only 17, Cole is the player all of England see as the successor to Paul Gascoinge. He has already played for the Under-21's and should earn his first cap soon.
Has Joe Cole gone off the boil at bit after 2 great yrs at Chelsea or is it just me , no doubt one of most talented English player around.

3.
Name: Rio Ferdinand
Current Club: West Ham United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 07/11/1978
Position: Central Defender
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Elegant centre half who has potential to be one of the world's best, his form has been suspect of late but interest in him from the likes of Man United, AS Roma and Madrid show how highly he is rated. Capped by England two years ago for the first time against Cameroon at Wembley and impressed.

WC IMO.
4.
Name: Jonathan Greening
Current Club: Manchester United (Eng)
Date of Birth: ??/??/19??
Position: Right / Centre Midfield
Previous Clubs: York City
Comments: Not as well known as the above players but has as much potential. Sir Alex Ferguson has such a high regard for Greening that he earned a place on the United bench in last seasons European Cup final. He has recently been capped by England's Under-21's with only a certain David Beckham keeping him out of United's first eleven.

??? Was he even that higly rated.
5.
Name: Frank Lampard
Current Club: West Ham United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 21/06/1978
Position: Centre Midfield
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Captain of the Under-21's for the past season or so, Lampard earned his first England cap against Belguim recently and did well. A very robust and creative midfielder who scores goals in the style of a young Bryan Robson.

Bryan Robson ? Robust? Still done well in his career , won the league come 2nd in WPOTY.

6.
Name: Jonathon Woodgate
Current Club: Leeds United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 22/01/1980
Position: Central Defender
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Already capped by England at senior level, Woodgate has emerged as one of the most talented defenders in the Premiership. flair, Passing, tackling, he has it all in abundence. One of several young leeds stars who will be challenging Man United for supremecy in England very, very soon.
There was always debate about him being better then Ferdi as I remember Shearer saying that they got the better deal in 9 m.
7.
Name: Wes Brown
Current Club: Manchester United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 16/03/1979
Position: Right / Central Defender
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Wes Brown is the man earmarked to take over as United's Captain and chief defender in years to come. Capped by England this year at only 19 he and United's other young star John Curtis could be England's defensive pairing for many years to come.

Injury ruined what could have been a very good career , now its just a decent one , he's probably going downhill at the moment.

8.
Name: Lee Hendrie
Current Club: Aston Villa (Eng)
Date of Birth: 18/05/1977
Position: Midfielder
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Very slim and weak looking player which proves deceiving. Has a brilliant eye for passes other players wouldn't dream of. Another England cap who hasn't quite shown his form of last season because of injuries but plenty of time ahead to gain superstar status.



9.
Name: Emile Heskey
Current Club: Leicester City (Eng)
Date of Birth: 11/01/1978
Position: Striker
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Nicknamed Bruno due to his huge frame and physical appearence, Heskey is a very akward opponent who can frighten the life out of defenders. Capped by England, his only weakness is his lack of goals which will come in time.

Did anyone expected him to be a top player ever.
10.
Name: Francis Jeffers
Current Club: Everton (Eng)
Date of Birth: 25/01/1981
Position: Striker
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Along with Kevin Campbell, Jeffers saved Everton from relegation last season and has started this one nearly as well. very qiuck who scores goals for fun. A short temper could be his downfall as seen in the recent Merseyside derby when he could have cost Everton the win they deserved.

Dark Savante wrote:
6.
Name: Jonathon Woodgate
Current Club: Leeds United (Eng)
Date of Birth: 22/01/1980
Position: Central Defender
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Already capped by England at senior level, Woodgate has emerged as one of the most talented defenders in the Premiership. flair, Passing, tackling, he has it all in abundence. One of several young leeds stars who will be challenging Man United for supremecy in England very, very soon.
There was always debate about him being better then Ferdi as I remember Shearer saying that they got the better deal in 9 m.

Luso wrote:

Spankeltoe wrote:I counted 9 that went onto be something approaching World class.

Casillas, Riquelme, Gerrard, Eto'o, Owen, Anelka, Pirlo, Wes Brown & Ronaldinhio.

You've included Wes Brown and not Simão?

Spankeltoe wrote:

Luso wrote:

Spankeltoe wrote:I counted 9 that went onto be something approaching World class.

Casillas, Riquelme, Gerrard, Eto'o, Owen, Anelka, Pirlo, Wes Brown & Ronaldinhio.

You've included Wes Brown and not Simão?

So thats now 4/5 people who couldn't see his inclusion was a joke.

Dark Savante wrote:9.
Name: Emile Heskey
Current Club: Leicester City (Eng)
Date of Birth: 11/01/1978
Position: Striker
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Nicknamed Bruno due to his huge frame and physical appearence, Heskey is a very akward opponent who can frighten the life out of defenders. Capped by England, his only weakness is his lack of goals which will come in time.

Did anyone expected him to be a top player ever.

Tweesus of Nazareth wrote:

Dark Savante wrote:9.
Name: Emile Heskey
Current Club: Leicester City (Eng)
Date of Birth: 11/01/1978
Position: Striker
Previous Clubs: None
Comments: Nicknamed Bruno due to his huge frame and physical appearence, Heskey is a very akward opponent who can frighten the life out of defenders. Capped by England, his only weakness is his lack of goals which will come in time.

Did anyone expected him to be a top player ever.

Does the article say he would be? Has he not also done pretty well?

If you'd seen him when he was at Leicester back then, you'd have thought he was capable of possibly becoming a top class player, yes...