Sort of trivia question...

[peterhague]

The thread on Suso got me thinking about this, because until fairly recently (last 6 months or so I think) he'd never been involved with the Spain youth teams, and that'd always been a bit of a question mark over him for me. So how important is that? Has there ever been a really top class player who was never picked at youth level for his country? I wonder who's the best we can come up with...

 

[the count]

Drogba?
that is a guess without googling but he was a real late bloomer

 

[Bradley]

Did Michael Owen or Wayne Rooney play any youth football or just go straight into the England squad?

Theo Walcott too?

Probably wrong on all counts.

 

[peterhague]

Drogba?
that is a guess without googling but he was a real late bloomer

That was the exact one I was thinking of. I wouldn't be surprised if he's the best. Owen and Rooney were both involved I think. I'm not sure about Walcott but as someone who played for the senior and u21 teams very young I don't think he really counts. Besides, I don't think he's top class anyway.

 

[Modo]

Gerrard and Owen, pretty much went straight into the England senior team.

 

[Mosely]

Ian Wright

 

[peterhague]

Ian Wright is a pretty good shout.

 

[Spionkop69]

Gerrard and Owen, pretty much went straight into the England senior team.

Owen played at schoolboy level for England.

 

[themn]

Stuart Pearce.

 

[refugee]

Owen played at schoolboy level for England.

Didn't he also play in the full England team before making his debut in the England under 21s?

 

[Spionkop69]

Didn't he also play in the full England team before making his debut in the England under 21s?

I believe he may have done.

 

[livvy145]

Maradona


Scratch that, he did.

 

[peterhague]

Gerrard and Owen, pretty much went straight into the England senior team.

Ok, firstly I'm not sure that's true. Owen, I'm positive, played for England schoolboys. Gerrard didn't go straight into the senior team at all - he was 20 before he won his first cap, so he had plenty of time to play for the youth sides. If he didn't, which I'm not sure about, then he's probably the best example we're gonna get. Secondly, maybe I should've been clearer: I was really asking about those late blooming players who became top class even though they weren't considered good enough for international youth football. Citing as an answer to that players so prodigious they were thought too *good* for those teams is kinda missing the point!

 

[Spionkop69]

1997​

England U20

4​

(3)​

1997​

England U21

1​

(1)​

2006–2007​

England B

2​

(0)​

1998–2008​

England

89​

(40​

From Wiki... re Owen

 

[Spionkop69]

Maradona


Scratch that, he did.

Lol!!!!

 

[refugee]

I believe he may have done.

Just checked Wiki and it says he made his debut for the Under 21s first. But I have a vague memory of him being in the England squad and then being moved down to the under 21s because people were worried he was going to far too soon. I think he then played up front with Heskey in his one England under 21 international and went straight back to the first team.

 

[Modo]

I had quick look on wiki and what I meant was they didnt play that many games for the England youths.

 

[Athens]

Ian Wright

He was quite old before he signed his first professional contract, wasn't he? He was 24 or something.

I could be talking balls here.

 

[themn]

Stuart Pearce.

Ooh, good one, etc !

 

[Modo]

Jörg Heinrich was 25 when he went pro.

 

[peterhague]

Maradona


Scratch that, he did.

Incredible true facts!

 

[themn]

Ooh, good one, etc !

Thanks.

 

[peterhague]

I had quick look on wiki and what I meant was they didnt play that many games for the England youths.

So did Gerrard play for the youth teams then? He'd be a brilliant example if he didn't.

 

[Leo]

Zidane?

 

[Portly]

Peter Beardsley! His career at top level didn't start until he signed for Newcastle United when he was 22.

 

[Athens]

So what you're all saying is that I still have a chance of making it then?

 

[refugee]

So what you're all saying is that I still have a chance of making it then?

No chance. You were the 8th best manager in Xpert Eleven before dropping out, you would be on the verge of making it into the Olympiakos team and then just decide to not turn up for training anymore....

 

[Athens]

No chance. You were the 8th best manager in Xpert Eleven before dropping out, you would be on the verge of making it into the Olympiakos team and then just decide to not turn up for training anymore....

Olympiakos? I wouldn't be allowed back in the in-laws house.

 

[ArneSlot4PM]

Zola
Cantona
Romario

 

[Spionkop69]

Zola
Romario

That's better.