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Harvey Elliott, Anthony Gordon, Fabian Ruiz, Juan Mata, and Thiago.
What's the common thread? They've all been crowned the best player at the U21 Euros. However, unlike his counterparts, Elliott has yet to utilize this individual honor as a launchpad for greater success - at least not yet.
The 22-year-old, currently on loan at Aston Villa from Liverpool, was nothing short of phenomenal as England's Young Lions clinched their European title in the summer. He netted a crucial goal in the quarterfinals against Spain, scored a decisive brace against the Netherlands in the semifinals, and found the back of the net once more in the final victory over Germany.
His individual brilliance, particularly his last-minute winner against the Dutch, showcased a player overflowing with self-belief and poised for a step up. The summer was always set to be a pivotal period for Elliott, but the subsequent months have been far from perfect. Unlike some young talents who excel at these tournaments, it wasn't a case of a European giant swooping in to snatch a player from a so-called smaller club. Elliott was already at Liverpool.
So, what did the Reds do when they discovered they had arguably the best young player in Europe within their ranks? They shipped him out. The club's view of the young sensation was hardly a glowing endorsement. It wasn't the biggest shock in the world, though.
In the year leading up to Elliott's Euros exploits, he started just two Premier League matches and was frequently used as a substitute by Arne Slot. It became increasingly clear that opportunities at Anfield were not forthcoming for the Fulham academy graduate, for whatever reason. Despite his patience and several years at the club, the chances simply weren't materializing.
Questions naturally arise as to why Liverpool deemed a player who performed so well over the summer as surplus to requirements. Typically, such players are highly sought after. Mata made the move from Valencia to Chelsea following his breakthrough tournament.
Thiago transferred from Barcelona to Bayern Munich, where Pep Guardiola eagerly awaited him. Even looking back in history, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar moved to Ajax on the strength of his U21 Euros performance, while Royston Drenthe went from Feyenoord to Real Madrid.
Elliott had been on RB Leipzig's radar for several weeks, but late in the transfer window, he ultimately ended up at Aston Villa. While not quite the same calibre of club, the West Midlands team has been consistently securing European spots in recent years.
But if the England youngster believed a fresh setting would bring fresh chances, he was mistaken. He wasn't even included in the squad for the victory against Manchester City, meaning he has featured for just 167 minutes out of a potential 810 since joining Unai Emery's outfit. He's managed only five appearances - and more concerning still, he's been handed just one start.
The Spanish manager justified the omission by stating: "He is training well, and he played some matches, but the performances weren't what we needed. Some players are playing as a No. 10, and they are playing well, like Buendia and Rogers, also Ross Barkley after he was out."
Elliott became the second consecutive Englishman to claim the outstanding player award at an U21 Euros, following in the footsteps of Newcastle star Gordon. The former Everton player reached new heights after his international heroics, delivering his finest goalscoring campaign.
Before long, Gordon was being touted for a switch to Liverpool, only for Newcastle to deter the Reds' pursuit with a valuation exceeding $100 million. He continues to be a pivotal figure in Newcastle's ambitions, having claimed the Carabao Cup last season with the winger playing a crucial part.
Elliott has youth on his side with Villa showing an upward trajectory after a sluggish start to the campaign, but it has been far from an ideal launch to what should have been a phase of development. Even more troubling is the mandatory purchase clause in his loan agreement, meaning the West Midlands club will be obliged to secure him permanently regardless of whether he establishes himself as a regular.
Elliott's frustration is likely to be heightened by the buzz around players like Elliot Anderson, his teammate in England's victorious U21 squad. The Nottingham Forest midfielder has become a regular under Thomas Tuchel, is tipped for a World Cup appearance next summer, and has caught the attention of clubs such as Newcastle and Manchester United.
The unpredictability of career progression and development are factors that players can't control when planning their future moves. Players like Mata, Ruiz, and Thiago all clinched the Champions League with the clubs they moved to after their impressive performances at the U21 Euros.
On the other hand, Fabio Vieira, who was named the best player at the U21 Euros in 2021, made a disappointing move from Porto to Arsenal. Yet he played second fiddle to Martin Odegaard and hasn't made significant progress. William Carvalho, who won the same award in 2015, decided to stay at Sporting Lisbon, a decision that didn't work out well for him. He's now plying his trade in Mexico.
European clubs are always on the lookout for the next big thing - and there are few better platforms to showcase your potential than the U21 Euros. This place has been the cradle of Champions League victors and, in the 1990s, Ballon d'Or winners. It's also been home to names that have since faded into obscurity.
In 2009, young Swede Marcus Berg shone in a tournament featuring Mesut Ozil, Mario Balotelli, and Nemanja Matic. He's now back playing in his native Sweden with IFK Goteborg after spells in Germany, Greece, and Russia.
Elliott is just a few months into his first season after the Euros and stated that he needed "to be selfish with myself and see what's best for me." It's evident that being excluded from matchday squads isn't beneficial for Elliott. Despite his current predicament, he has ample time to change his fortunes and hopes to be remembered more like Thiago than Berg.
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