England's footballing future - in pictures

Jack Wilshere (Arsenal) The midfielder was making waves in the Premier League and senior set-up only to suffer ankle problems in pre-season a year ago which ruled him out of the entire domestic campaign. His non-involvement in the Olympic squad should allow him to bed back in at club level even if the teenager will need to prove himself all over again. Yet, given his class in possession and speed of thought on the ball, he still feels a natural fit for the Arsenal team and would slip into the role occupied by Scott Parker, a player who has accepted this was likely to be his only major finals, in Roy Hodgson’s team in Ukraine. He will need time to rediscover his rhythm, but England need Wilshere to justify all the hype and recover the eye-catching form pre-injury, but he feels key to the future Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Guardian

Daniel Sturridge (Chelsea) The young striker was arguably one of the European champions’ most potent attacking forces over the first half of last season only for his goalscoring form to rather dry up in the new year, meaning a player who had even made an impact when flung on for his country ended the season rather peripheral even at club level. Given Chelsea’s clearly defined lavish ambition — already demonstrated this summer with the addition of Eden Hazard and their interest in, among others, Theo Walcott — it is not outlandish to suggest Sturridge may have to move on if he is to command a regular first-team place. He must weigh up the merits of life as a bit-part player unlikely to dislodge Fernando Torres at Stamford Bridge against being the central force at a lesser club Photograph: David Moir /Reuters

Steven Caulker (Tottenham Hotspur) The centre-half’s progress gathered pace last season at Swansea City, where he quickly adapted to the style demanded by Brendan Rodgers and established himself as a Premier League talent. Tottenham Hotspur will surely make better use of him next term given the problems they endured with ageing and aching limbs at the heart of their defence, leaving Caulker potentially thrust into a side who will realistically hope to compete for Champions League qualification. That is a step up, and any lapses in concentration will be magnified, but the signs are promising. Caulker has the class and temperament to excel Photograph: John Sibley/Action Images

Josh McEachran (Chelsea) Another teenager of talent whose immediate challenge is to justify a place in his club side. Passage into the Chelsea first-team feels blocked at present for McEachran, whose impact on loan at Swansea in the second half of last season was rather frustrated by the arrival of Gylfi Sigurdsson on loan from Hoffenheim. The Iceland midfielder took his chance, and the Englishman merely swapped one place on the bench for another. The reviews of his displays at youth and reserve team level are hugely encouraging, all vision in the pass and tidy in possession, but McEachran needs a season of Premier League football under his belt. That may be on loan elsewhere Photograph: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) The Spurs full-back would have been in Roy Hodgson’s squad for Poland and Ukraine had it not been for a toe injury. Indeed, so keen was the manager to take him that he considered calling him up regardless once Gary Cahill dropped out after suffering a broken jaw against Belgium. Walker has always been an attacking threat but his defensive game is improving, and he was one of Tottenham’s more eye-catching performers last term. England have already seen glimpses of his quality. Right-back feels like it should be a position of strength for this set-up: Glen Johnson was impressive against the Italians, both Phil Jones and Chris Smalling can perform there if required, while the under-21s’ Nathanial Clyne will be playing in the Premier League next term when he leaves Crystal Palace at the end of the month. But, if recent progress is maintained, Walker feels like the long-term solution Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Archive

Ross Barkley (Everton) The muscular winger is another with all the skill and aggression to make an impact at the highest level, even if his game needs toning in the Premier League. Like his club-mate, Jack Rodwell, Barkley must play more regularly to force his way into contention for the senior England set-up having already impressed in the junior national teams. He has looked like a man among boys at times when competing for the under-19s, and not out of place in the Premier League when he has forced his way into David Moyes’s thinking. Everton have seen flashes of the young Wayne Rooney in his natural ability but, like the other young prospects, the 18-year-old will need to play to be refined Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) One out of left-field, or meandering all over the pitch when employed in the free role he so relishes, but Zaha’s extravagant skills should not go unnoticed. Last year was the Ivory Coast-born attacker’s most consistent yet at senior level, albeit in a Championship side that faded badly over the campaign’s final six weeks, with goals and assists to justify his burgeoning reputation. Zaha is tall, athletic, skilful and direct on the pitch and refreshingly grounded off it. If his finishing was more polished he would have been plucked away by a Premier League club already, but that move to the top-flight is only a matter of time, whether with Palace or not. Stuart Pearce has included him in his initial 35-man squad for the Olympic Games and that would offer him a wonderful platform upon which to showcase his abilities Photograph: Paul Gilham/Getty Images