The change is remarkable, yet it did not happen by chance.
In 2013, soon after becoming chairman of the FA, Greg Dyke sharply criticized the setup of English football.
“The issue is grave, extremely grave,” Dyke remarked regarding the “worrying” shortage of domestic talent.
Dyke outlined two goals for the England side: a semi-final spot at Euro 2020 and World Cup glory in 2022.
Many mocked the very idea, source of such achievements, but he was surprisingly accurate.
Dyke was aware that two crucial foundations had already been laid.
In 2011, the £340m Elite Player Performance Plan (EPPP) was approved by the EFL clubs, financing a revamp of top-level academies and reorganizing the structure.
Subsequently, St George’s Park arrived.
The FA needed 11 years to construct it after acquiring the site in 2001.
Blueprints were greenlit, then shelved, and later revived.
At last, in 2012, it opened as the hub for coaching and developing England teams across every age group.
The EPPP was not an instant solution but a long-range investment in coaching and infrastructure.
Nowadays, academy prospects work at cutting-edge training complexes featuring top-quality pitches, coaches, and support personnel.
After that, they link up with England development squads at an equally elite training venue.
The route is not flawless. Over 12,000 young players are within the academy network and 91% will never feature in a professional match.
Yet, 15 years later, it has established a talent pipeline that helped forge the competitive England side we see now.
Bellingham – only 23 – Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Elliot Anderson are standout squad members who came through the EPPP.
So immense is the depth that Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer, and Phil Foden could be omitted – three individuals who were part of the side that reached the Euros final merely two years ago.
Tuchel can afford to omit them and still guide England to a World Cup semi-final.
And the talent conveyor belt continues, featuring Alex Scott, Josh King, Ethan Nwaneri, and Rio Ngumoha in the pre-tournament training group.
Max Dowman of Arsenal, aged 16, has smashed records for his age in both the Premier League and Champions League and is poised for a breakthrough.
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