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It is always a difficult call to predict the development of a team four years hence. Some players will flourish, some fall by the wayside.
The Premier League will hope the Elite Player Performance Plan yields many more young English professional footballers over the next four years.
This is a potential XI. How the younger players will develop will depend much on the opportunities they are given.
Of course, Theo Walcott will only be 29 by Russia 2018 and still an international footballer. Patrick Roberts, the 17-year-old star of Fulham’s academy, could yet make the grade. And what better way to beat the Uruguayans at their own game than to recruit the son of one of their best players?
Gus Poyet was part of the 1995 Uruguay team that won the Copa America. His son Diego, born in Spain but raised in England, is at Charlton Athletic and has already played for the Football Association’s junior teams.
Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratingsShow all 22 1 /22Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Fernando Muslera Saved well from Rooney in the second half, but rarely tested. 6/10
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Martin Caceras Kept Welbeck quiet for long periods and was solid in the tackle. 6
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Jose Gimenez Youngster showed no nerves in his first World Cup start. 7
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Diego Godin Extremely fortunate to stay on the field following a first half foul on Sturridge, having already been booked. 5
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Alvaro Pereira Battled well at left-back and showed great heart to continue having been knocked out by Sterling's knee. 7
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Alvaro Gonzalez Offered plenty of support to his Caceres in keeping Sterling and Welbeck under wraps. 6
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Egidio Rios Veteran showed his experience in battling well in midfield. 6
Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Nicolas Lodeiro Fitted in well in midfield, and started the move that brought Uruguay their first goal. 7
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Cristian Rodriguez Went close to scoring a first half screamer, but faded as the game went on. 6
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Edinson Cavani Has been poor in front of goal this World Cup, but set up the opener with a delightful cross for his strike-partner. 7
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Luis Suarez Clearly not fully fit, but that didn't hamper his finishing. The Liverpool striker has two chances in front of goal and buried them both with deadly efficiency. 8
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Joe Hart Blameless for Suarez’s goal and generally impressive against Uruguay’s early pressure. Reacted sharply to two difficult Suarez corners to his near post. 6
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Glen Johnson England needed quality from their experienced right-back and Johnson, who struggled at first, delivered it with the cross for Rooney’s goal. 5
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Gary Cahill Not as responsible as Jagielka for the goal and generally kept his head above water until the second goal, when he was caught off-guard by Suarez. 5
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Phil Jagielka Has struggled to contain Luis Suarez in the past and last night was no different, as he lost the Liverpool striker who peeled away from him to score. 4
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Leighton Baines Worked hard up and down the left-flank but, as in the Italy game, his final-third quality was not quite as good as it needs to be. 5
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Steven Gerrard England needed leadership and control in the middle but Gerrard was poor again, failing to keep the ball and losing the ball for both of Suarez’s goals. 4
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Jordan Henderson Ran hard without the ball but failed to make much of a contribution going forward as England lacked ideas in the middle of the pitch. 5
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Raheem Sterling Not as impressive as he was against Italy, Sterling did try to run at opponents, with not much success. The first to be taken off. 5
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Danny Welbeck Tried to stretch Uruguay, running in behind, but England could not get him the ball quickly enough and he failed to use well it when they did. 5
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Wayne Rooney Restored to his preferred No 10 role, Rooney looked eager and although nothing came off at first, he persevered for the late tap-in. 6
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Uruguay 2 England 1 player ratings Daniel Sturridge Far less impressive than against Italy, less incisive with his movement, less responsible with his hold-up play and less dangerous in the penalty area. 4
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As for Wayne Rooney, he has said that he does not believe he will be around for another World Cup finals. Jack Wilshere, Jordan Henderson, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling will all still be young enough to play.
The question will be whether they face more, or less, competition for places.
Sam Wallace's potential England team for Russia 2018 (4-2-3-1) GK: Jack Butland (Current club: Stoke City, current age: 21)
RB: Calum Chambers (Southampton, 19)
CB: John Stones (Everton, 20)
CB: Gary Cahill (Chelsea, 28)
LB: Luke Shaw (Southampton, 18)
CM: Diego Poyet (Charlton Athletic, 19)
CM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Arsenal, 20)
RAM: Patrick Roberts (Fulham, 17)
CAM: Ross Barkley (Everton, 20)
LAM: Raheem Sterling (Liverpool, 19)
ST: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool, 24)
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