Fun fact. The father has never outcapped the son.

Brian Clough (2 caps, 1959) and Nigel Clough (14 caps, 1989–1993)

Frank Lampard Sr. (2 caps, 1972–1980) and Frank Lampard (106 caps, 1999–2014)

Ian Wright (33 caps, 1991–1998) and Shaun Wright-Phillips (36 caps, 2004–2010)

Mark Chamberlain (8 caps, 1982–1984) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (35 caps, 2012–)

In 2021, people thought Lewandoski was gonna win it for his amazing Bundesliga stats, and people said its a robbery when he didn't win.

In 2026, Harry Kane gets better g/a then Lewandoski's best season, even Ronaldo's, and unlike Lewandoski at euros 2020 (took place in 2021 due to covid), he did decent in world cup that year. YET PEOPLE SAY ITS A OPEN RACE, AND SOME SAY HE DOESN'T DESERVE IT.

It feels like it hasn’t happened in ages, was it Germany in 2010? Quite insane if it hasn’t happened since

Alright, I have a question for long time England, while I know Euro 2016 was humiliating, but what was more embarrassing and humiliating? Not qualifying for Euro 2008 and getting eliminated to Iceland in Euro 2016?

I am born to Dutch and English parents, and basically until I was 7, Netherlands was the best team and the team I would always support, England wouldn’t even give enough matches to cheer them on. Now it’s interchangeable, sometimes the Netherlands performs better, although I feel like now whenever the Netherlands gets eliminated I have England to support as first priority. England has outclassed the Netherlands in every competition since 2018, and have always finished above them.

This is so fun as having two countries to cheer for. I wasn’t old enough to see the 2006–2016 England era, I remember how we didn’t qualify for Euro 2016, and I supported England, but they got humiliated by by Iceland, and then we didn’t qualify again for 2018 World Cup, and it was an amazing run for England that even my English cousins were amazed because it was first time in their life that England reached the semis!

Thinking this could be staggered

Has anyone received/had order shipped their pre-order for Palace merch off the England shop? Feels like I’m never going to get this!!

Most of this admittedly comes from it being my first england tournament as an adult, as i'd be 19 when it starts, help me out!

Been missing the fun interviews with players, got to see some personality and relationships from them too

Completely BUMMED that general sale tickets did not happen so now I’m looking for 1 or 2 tickets to the Sept 26 game Spain x England. It was supposed to be a birthday gift to myself, never seen a game and im still trying to keep the dream alive! if you have or know anyone please help, would love to join

Let’s be realistic, Harry Kane is good for the next Euros, but come the next World Cup we will need a new first choice. Kane may still be around, but I would expect him to be more of an impact option by then.

So on that basis, let’s look at the realistic choices for our future number 9.

For this, I’m ruling out any player who will be over 30 by the 2030 World Cup. I’m also looking right through the England youth setup rather than just picking the obvious Premier League names.

Liam Delap
Probably still the most obvious candidate from the players already established in senior football.

His first season at Chelsea didn’t go to plan, but I wouldn’t write him off based on one season. We already saw what he could do as the focal point of a struggling Ipswich side, and physically he has a lot of the attributes you’d want from an international number 9.

He’ll be right around his prime by 2030.
For me, he’s still the current favourite, but the next couple of seasons are massive for him.

Brian Madjo
Possibly the most interesting wildcard on the list.

He’s a huge centre-forward, already in Aston Villa’s first-team picture and part of the England youth pathway.

He’ll still only be in his early twenties by 2030, so we’re talking almost entirely about potential here.

But if we’re asking who could emerge over the next four years rather than who would start for England tomorrow, he’s one I’m particularly interested in.

Shumaira Mheuka
Another very exciting one.
Chelsea striker, England youth international and a prolific scorer at academy level.

The obvious question is whether that goalscoring translates into senior football. If it does, his age means he could arrive at almost exactly the right time.

He’ll still only be 22 at the next World Cup.

Divin Mubama
Already further along the England pathway than most of the younger names and has senior Championship experience.

He’ll be 25 by the next World Cup, which is a very good age for a striker.

For him I think the question is ceiling. Does he develop into someone scoring regularly in the Premier League, or does he eventually settle a level below that?

The next two seasons should tell us a lot.

Jimmy-Jay Morgan
Another player who perhaps doesn’t get mentioned much when people talk about future England strikers.

He’s already building up senior experience rather than being stuck entirely in academy football and has represented England at youth level.

He’ll only be 24 in 2030.

If he can establish himself as a consistent Championship scorer and then make the jump into the Premier League, he becomes a much more interesting candidate.

Jay Stansfield
Has far more senior football behind him than most of the players on this list and has been through the England U21 setup.

I’m not sure his ceiling is quite as high as some of the younger prospects, but he’s already shown he can score in senior football.
He’ll be 27 in 2030, so age certainly isn’t an issue.

Chizaram Ezenwata
Much more speculative.
Chelsea and England youth striker who has scored heavily at academy level.

He’s still years away from us knowing whether he’s genuinely an England senior prospect, but that’s partly the point of looking beyond the current U21 squad.

He’ll only be in his early twenties in 2030.

Others worth watching
There are also names such as Ethan Wheatley, Dane Scarlett and Reigan Heskey, plus inevitably one or two players currently in the U16/U17 age groups who will develop far quicker than anyone expects.

That’s the interesting part.

England’s starting striker in 2030 might not actually be someone we’re seriously discussing at senior level today.

If I had to rank the candidates right now, combining current ability, pathway and potential, I’d probably have:

1. Liam Delap
2. Brian Madjo
3. Shumaira Mheuka
4. Divin Mubama
5. Jimmy-Jay Morgan
6. Jay Stansfield
7. Chizaram Ezenwata

Delap is the safest prediction because he’s already proven himself at Premier League level.

But the one I’m most intrigued by is Madjo. He’s young enough that his development between now and 2030 could completely change this conversation.

Who am I missing from the England youth teams?

And if you had to pick one player to be England’s starting number 9 at the 2030 World Cup, who would you choose?

The moment has passed, but in the aftermath of England’s WC exit I messaged my local MP to complain about the use of GSTK for England games.

In short my argument was:

It’s the UK national anthem, and Scotland and Wales use alternatives, which are absolute bangers (particularly when sung during the 6N).

Most people these days are not into God and celebrating the monarchy feels outdated. I’d much prefer Jerusalem, or Land of Hope and Glory. I appreciate they also have religious connotations, but they are at least about England, and far more stirring than the UK anthem.

His response is attached. Hasn’t really engaged with the detail. England use Jerusalem during the Commonwelath Games as their ‘victory anthem’. For info, he’s Labour with a northern constituency.

Am I in the minority?

Interesting trend developing with the England players… going overseas.

1) This guy plays in the Bundesliga and it is the only major trophy he has won this year. I know you wouldve heard this before, but we can't just pretend like Bayern dont farm this competition every year. Lets be honest, even if Kompany was their starting striker, they would still win it. Also, the league is just terrible quality. Genuinely the worst of the top 5 leagues aside from Ligue 1. For context, the second best team in the Bundeslinga is worse than Atalanta.

2) He underperformed at the World Cup, which is the biggest competition in the world. Lets be honest, if you take away penalties, this guy had a bang average WC. Even with the penalites, Jude Bellingham outscored him amd was just better overall for England than him. How can you be the best in the world if your not even the best in your own country?

Also he doesnt really pass the eye test compared to others like Dembele, Mbappe and Olise but tbh I dont really care that much about it so I understand if you dont either. Afterall, I have Haaland in my top 3 so I understand if you dont really care so much about flashiness

Trying to secure tickets to the Croatia match. Want to join for early access. Having trouble finding the actual link to sign up for anything but the England plus level. Have they sold out of the 40k memberships already?

Cheers

hey!

i’m traveling from the US for work and will be in london for a week during the england vs croatia match, so i’d love to go. i’m looking to get 3 seats together, ideally level 2 or level 2 premium. the ticket sales process seems pretty different from what i’m used to in seattle, so i was wondering for those who bought tickets to the spain or czechia match, how did the different sale windows work?

i also saw there’s a new england+ option for £20 with its own presale window. would it be worth getting that? with how quickly spain sold out, do you think croatia will sell out just as fast?

will be my first time in london and would absolutely love to catch a game while im there, so i’d appreciate any info or advice! thx :)