Next Generation 2021: why slow and steady sometimes wins the race

<p>Our NextGen picks from five years ago show that breaking through early does not guarantee longevity or future success</p><ul><li><p>Read the full updates on our class of 2021 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/07/next-generation-2021-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">here</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/06/next-generation-2021-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">here</a></p></li></ul><p>In 2021, as every year, we picked 80 players from around the world who had a chance of making it in world football – <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/06/next-generation-2021-20-of-the-best-talents-at-premier-league-clubs">20 from the Premier League</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2021/oct/07/next-generation-2021-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">60 from the rest of the world</a> – as part of our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/next-generation">Next Generation series</a>.</p><p>We then follow these talented boys on their journeys for five years. Often it is almost impossible to predict how they will get on (OK, when Sid Lowe sent over <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/ng-interactive/2024/oct/15/next-generation-2024-60-of-the-best-young-talents-in-world-football">Lamine Yamal in 2024</a> we had an inkling he might do well).</p><p><em>The ball-playing central midfielder comes from a footballing family and academy staff believe his tactical awareness is born from growing up around the game. His father, Adam, played for Brighton and is now manager along the coast at Worthing FC, while Martin (his great uncle), Paul (his grandad), and Wally (his great