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Next Gen 2021: Early Success Not Always Key

Published September 30, 2026 · Updated September 30, 2026 · The Guardian

Our Next Generation 2021 series reveals that breaking through early doesn't guarantee future success, as we track the development of 80 promising football talents over five years.

Our annual Next Generation series identified 80 promising players in 2021, with 20 from the Premier League and 60 from worldwide academies. Tracking their journeys shows that early breakthroughs don't always translate to sustained success in professional football.

Among the standouts is Lamine Yamal, who has shattered multiple records as the youngest player in Bundesliga, Champions League, and Germany Under-21 team. The ball-playing midfielder comes from a footballing family, with his father Adam having played for Brighton and now managing at Worthing FC. piekny-pies.pl

Next Gen 2021: Early Success Not Always Key

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