Former Newcastle United and Liverpool strikers feature.
From Ballon D’Or winners to forgotten prodigies, there are a long list of England Under-21 debut goalscorers. Which will Marcus Rashford follow?
After netting on his debut in the Europa League, Premier League and England national team, there was something rather inevitable about Marcus Rashford’s clinically dispatched finish on his England Under-21 bow on Tuesday evening. The following two goals, then, did little to placate the quivering hype surrounding an 18-year-old seemingly destined for the very top.
But, a word of warning; Rashford isn’t the only young prodigy to net on his Under-21 debut. And it doesn’t always guarantee a career of greatness.
Alan Shearer
The most prolific goalscorer in Premier League history, Alan Shearer’s 260 strikes is likely to remain safe for years to come, even withstanding a late-career Wayne Rooney bloom. Netting a brace on his under-21 bow against Northern Ireland, the Newcastle and Blackburn legend soon outgrew the youth level, averaging a goal every two games for the senior side.
Andy Cole
A victim of his own era, Andy Cole may have won everything on offer during a trophy-laden six years with Manchester United, but his international career never came close to matching his club exploits. With Shearer, Teddy Sherringham and Ian Wright battling it out for a starting place in the late-90s, Cole netted a solitary goal in 15 appearances for his country.
Robbie Fowler
Like Cole, Fowler’s England exploits remain a blot on an otherwise impressive CV. A prodigious youngster at Liverpool, Fowler is one of just five players to hit 50 Premier League goals under the age of 23. Who would bet against Rashford matching that feat? On the scoresheet alongside Darren Anderton and Chris Sutton on his under-21 debut against San Marino, the former Leeds and Man City striker netted just seven goals for England.
Michael Owen
Amid all the punditry clichés and dramatic career decline, It’s easy to forget just how talented Michael Owen was. Ballon D’Or winner at just 21, the Liverpool legend is the fifth highest scorer in England’s history. A debut goal against Greece for the Under-21s started it all off. Guess who he partnered in attack? Emile Heskey of course.
Carl Cort
It all looked promising for young Carl Cort as he seemingly confirmed his potential with a double against Lichtenstein on his under-21 debut in 1998. A big money move to Newcastle followed but, unlike Shearer, Cort failed to settle on Tyneside. The now-38-year-old spent a year at Spanish third-tier side Marbella in 2008 so it’s not all bad.
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