The International Footballers I Knew Before Their Biggest Stages

When you share a dressing room as a young footballer, you do not know exactly where everyone will end up. Some of the players I trained or played with at Arsenal, West Ham and England youth level later reached the international stage. In the video, I remember what they were like before the biggest crowds knew their names.

Declan Rice at West Ham

Declan Rice and I played together at West Ham and lived in the same connected accommodation used by young players. We ate together, travelled to training and shared the everyday chaos of that environment. What stands out to me is how hard he worked. I watched him grow into his physical presence and become more influential on the pitch year by year.

I have told a fuller story about Declan elsewhere, but the memory here is of a teammate putting time into his game before the public achievements arrived.

Eberechi Eze and the long route forward

I also knew Eberechi Eze from our time at Arsenal. His path after that was not a straight line. In the video, I reflect on the trials and moves he went through before establishing himself. His story is a reminder that leaving one club does not decide the rest of a player's career.

Angus Gunn and Enner Valencia

At England youth level, I trained with goalkeeper Angus Gunn. I remember his height and how difficult he could be to beat in training. At West Ham, I encountered Enner Valencia's pace and powerful shooting. His direct style was different from the other forwards I learned from there.

Looking back, the most interesting part is not simply recognising names on a team sheet. It is remembering the work, setbacks and distinctive qualities I saw before those players reached a wider audience. As a young footballer, you are surrounded by people whose futures are still being written, including your own.

Watch the full video on YouTube.