England lifted the European Championship trophy 11 years ago but what became of the Class of 2010?

Gareth Southgate’s England side will kick off their European campaign on Sunday 13th of June with a fixture against Croatia. 

England have been named among the favourites to win Euro 2020 thanks to the high calibre of players in Southgate’s squad. 

However, the one and only other time England have tasted continental success was eleven years ago when the Under 17 side beat Spain 2-1 in Liechtenstein. 

That talented team featured the likes of Ross Barkley, Jack Butland, Saido Berahino, Josh McEachran and Connor Wickham.

But where are the class of 2010 now? Sportsmail takes a look. 

England beat Spain 2-1 to lift the UEFA Under 17 European Championship trophy back in 2010

England beat Spain 2-1 to lift the UEFA Under 17 European Championship trophy back in 2010

Sportsmail has taken a look at how the careers of those players have since panned out

Sportsmail has taken a look at how the careers of those players have since panned out

THE STARTING LINE-UP IN THE FINAL

Jack Butland 

The England goalkeeper played for Birmingham City at the time of the U17 European Championship and had been named their Young Player of the Year prior to the tournament.

Butland was awarded a place in the squad thanks to his fine domestic form and went on to prove his worth on the international stage.

Following England’s success at the 2010 competition, Butland was selected for the 2012 Olympics in London, where he represented Great Britain.

Following the Olympics, Butland moved to Stoke City for £3.5m on deadline day in January 2013. 

Since then, Butland has completed loan spells at Barnsley and Leeds United before signing for Crystal Palace in 2020 on a three-year deal.  

Jack Butland (left) played for Birmingham City at the time of the U17 European Championship

 Jack Butland (left) played for Birmingham City at the time of the U17 European Championship

Bruno Pilatos 

Bruno Pilatos was highly-regarded at Middlesbrough and had just signed a four-year deal prior to the tournament.

However, he struggled to cement his place in Middlesbrough’s starting XI after breaking his leg and subsequently went on to sign for Swedish side Ytterhogdal in 2016. 

Pilatos was later released in 2017 and reportedly spent two months in Scotland with Livingston FC. 

As it stands, he is currently listed as a player for Bishop Auckland who are in the Northern League Division One.

Luke Garbutt

Predicted to achieve great things, Luke Garbutt was one of the first names on the U17 team sheet. 

The left-back progressed through Everton’s youth ranks and made his first-team debut as a substitute for Phil Jagielka in a Capital One Cup win over Leyton Orient back in August 2012. 

However, he failed to establish himself as a regular starter in the Toffees squad and was sold to Blackpool in 2020.  Garbutt was also capped once for the Under 21s, in a 6-0 win over Scotland at Bramall Lane in 2013.

Predicted to achieve great things, Garbutt was one of the first names on the U17 team-sheet

Predicted to achieve great things, Garbutt was one of the first names on the U17 team-sheet

Conor Coady

Conor Coady was awarded the armband for the 2010 tournament and captained his side to victory.

Following such success, he continued to play for Liverpool’s youth and U21 teams – going to make his senior debut in a UEFA Europa League tie with Anzhi in November 2012.

The centre-back made his Premier League debut in a 3-1 win over Fulham at the tail end of the 2012-2013 campaign, before joining Sheffield United on loan.

He achieved 50 appearances in all for the Blades in an extraordinary season that saw them flirt with relegation from League One before finishing seventh and reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Coady has since become a Premier League regular for Wolves and is now captaining The Wanderers.

As a result of his performances for Wolves, Coady was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad in August. He has also been named in the Three Lions squad for this summer’s European Championship.

Coady was awarded the armband for the 2010 tournament and captained his side to victory

  Coady was awarded the armband for the 2010 tournament and captained his side to victory

Andre Wisdom

Andre Wisdom was regarded as a success story from the Class of 2010, having been handed 22 senior appearances in the Liverpool backline after Brendan Rodgers gave him his debut in a Europa League tie against Young Boys in Switzerland in 2012.

He went on to complete loan spells at Derby County, West Bromwich Albion and Norwich City before joining Red Bull Salzburg – making a total of 22 appearances for the club.

However, Derby decided to sign the former Liverpool defender in 2017 after impressing on loan during the 2013-14 season.

Nathaniel Chalobah 

Nathaniel Chalobah was the Chelsea starlet who captained their reserve and youth sides, including the team that beat Blackburn Rovers in the final of the 2012 FA Youth Cup.

His impressive form with the Blues saw him land a spot in the European Championship squad in 2010 and become a pivotal centre half for England’s U17 team.

In a bid to increase his first-team exposure, Chalobah completed loan spells at Watford, Middlesbrough, Reading and Napoli.

Following such stints, Chalobah signed a five-year contract with Chelsea but was later sold to Watford.

Chalobah enjoyed a series of successful performances when he first arrived at Vicarage Road in 2017 but has since struggled to maintain his fitness due to various injuries. 

Chalobah was the Chelsea starlet who has captained their reserve side and played for England

 Chalobah was the Chelsea starlet who has captained their reserve side and played for England

Will Keane

One of the brightest prospects to emerge from the Old Trafford academy, Will Keane followed up his England success by guiding Manchester United to FA Youth Cup success against Sheffield United in 2011. 

Stepping up to the reserves, he was rewarded with a senior debut in the League Cup tie with Aldershot in October 2011 and a Premier League debut later that year. 

However, he never quite made the grade and spent the majority of his career playing in the Championship with QPR, Sheffield Wednesday, Preston North End before signing for Hull and Ipswich.   

The 28-year-old now plays for Wigan and has swapped his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.  

Benik Afobe 

Former Arsenal starlet was highly sought after during his youth career and was said to be on the radar of LaLiga giants Barcelona. However, he chose to sign a professional contract with the Gunners instead. 

Despite signing for Arsenal, Afobe spent time at Huddersfield Town, Reading, Bolton Wanderers, Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday to gain experience.

He was later snapped up by Bournemouth – who were in the Premier League – for £10million. However, he failed to hit the heights expected of him and was loaned out to Turkish club Trabzonspor. 

He has since gone on to represent DR Congo on the international stage.  

Afobe was highly sought after during his youth career and was said to be on the radar of Barca

Afobe was highly sought after during his youth career and was said to be on the radar of Barca

Josh McEachran 

Josh McEachran made a first-team debut for Chelsea just a couple of months after the European Championship success. He featured for the Blues in a Champions League qualifier against Zilina.

He went on to make several appearances that season, leading to a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge in July 2011.

However, McEachran ended up on loan at first Swansea, then Middlesbrough, Watford and Wigan.

The latter was fairly profitable, helping the Latics to the Championship Play-offs and an FA Cup semi-final, where he played against Arsenal.

McEachran went on to make just 11 appearances for Chelsea, before being sold permanently to Brentford in 2017 for £750,000.

In 2019, McEachran left Brentford and moved to Birmingham for a free transfer. He was later released during the 2021 January transfer window and now plays with Milton Keynes Dons.   

Josh McEachran, seen here playing for England Under 17s in 2010, spent much of his time out on loan while contracted to Chelsea

Josh McEachran, seen here playing for England Under 17s in 2010, spent much of his time out on loan while contracted to Chelsea

Ross Barkley

Ross Barkley was regarded as an outstanding success story of the Class of 2010 – having advanced from U17 talent to member of Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad.  

The 20-year-old made his senior England debut against Moldova in a World Cup qualifier in September 2013 and was shortlisted for this season’s PFA Young Player of the Year Award. 

During that time he also became a Premier League regular for Everton and spent a little time at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United on loan. 

However, he was unable to sustain such fine form with the Toffees and was sold to Chelsea in 2018 for £15million. 

Sadly, he failed to live up to expectation at Chelsea and was subsequently shipped off on loan to Aston Villa. 

The 33-cap international is said to be on West Ham’s radar and could opt for a move in the summer transfer window.

Ross Barkley (middle) was regarded as an outstanding success story of the Class of 2010

Ross Barkley (middle) was regarded as an outstanding success story of the Class of 2010

Connor Wickham 

It was Connor Wickham who provided England’s match-winning goal in the 2010 final against Spain. He also helped Sunderland avoid relegation from the Premier League after signing for the club in 2011.

His performances for Ipswich Town in the Championship persuaded the Black Cats to shell out £11m for him in the summer of 2011 but he struggled to prove his worth and was subsequently sent on loan.

Having scored just 15 times in 91 games for Sunderland, Wickham joined Sheffield Wednesday. He went on to score eight times in 13 appearances.

As a result, Crystal Palace signed Wickham for £9million in 2015 but a serious knee injury prevented him from making a mark in South London.

He returned to Sheffield Wednesday but failed to save them from relegation to League One this season. 

THE REST OF THE SQUAD  

Sam Johnstone

Highly-rated Manchester United academy product impressed in the U17 England squad and was also named in Peter Taylor’s side for the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup. 

He went on complete several loan spells at Oldham, Scunthorpe, Walsall, Yeovil and Doncaster before completing  a transfer from Manchester United to Championship club West Bromwich Albion.  

Having excelled at West Brom, the goalkeeper was called up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad and made his Three Lions debut in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Romania – the final warm-up game before the finals get underway later this week.    

Sam Johnstone in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Romania - the final warm-up game before the finals

Sam Johnstone in Sunday’s 1-0 win over Romania – the final warm-up game before the finals

George Thorne

The West Bromwich academy graduate made a handful of first-team appearances and spent time on loan at Portsmouth, Peterborough United, Watford and Derby County.  

He also played for joined Oxford United in August 2019 on loan until January 2020. However, the loan was made permanent on January 22, 2020. 

Saido Berahino

Having broken into the West Bromwich Albion first team to become a regular starter in 2013-2014, Saido Berahino was regarded as hot property.

The striker had scored nine goals in all competitions that season before going on to better his tally in the 2014-15 campaign by scoring 20 times.

Such fine form saw Tottenham show their interest in the striker. However, how Berahino dealt with the transfer speculation in 2015 proved to be the downfall of his career.

When Tottenham’s fourth and final bid was rejected, Berahino lashed out on Twitter and stated that he would never play for the club again under chairman Jeremy Peace.

Berahino went on to sign for Stoke City in January 2017 after admitting he had lost his way at his previous club.

Following his time at Stoke, Berahino joined Belgian club Charleroi – where he is still playing. 

Back of the net: Saido Berahino celebrates a goal for England Under 21s against Moldova

Back of the net: Saido Berahino celebrates a goal for England Under 21s against Moldova

Robert Hall

Robert Hall followed up his win with England by signing his first professional contract with West Ham in October 2010.

He would make seven first-team appearances for the Hammers, gaining most of his experience in loan spells at Oxford United, MK Dons, Birmingham and Bolton.

He now plays regularly for League One club Oxford United. 

Ben Gibson 

Former Middlesbrough defender forced his way into the first team after useful loan spells at Plymouth Argyle, York City and Tranmere Rovers.

However, he later signed for Burnley but labelled his two-year Turf Moor career a disaster.

The centre back arrived in 2018 as the club’s joint record signing. However, the form of Ben Mee and James Tarkowski restricted him to a solitary appearance in the Premier League – in the infamous defeat to Everton on Boxing Day in 2018.

He since joined Norwich City and the club are now set to sign the defender permanently following the Carrow Road side’s promotion to the Premier League. 

Norwich City are now set to sign Ben Gibson permanently following their promotion

Norwich City are now set to sign Ben Gibson permanently following their promotion

Tom Thorpe

Tom Thorpe was captain of Manchester United’s reserve team during Louis van Gaal’s first season in charge and made his debut against West Ham in 2014. 

However, having failed to cement a place in the squad Thorpe signed for Rotherham on a free transfer and went on to complete loan spells at Bradford City and Bolton Wanderers before signing for Indian side ATK in 2017.

Thorpe made 11 appearances under Teddy Sheringham but decided to stop playing at the age of 25.  

Luke Williams

Luke Williams plays for Hartlepool United but missed out on the opportunity to feature in this seasons play-offs. The striker was ruled out with a hip injury but has played regularly before the issue.   

source: dailymail.co.uk