The future cannot start too soon. It is no comfort for England's elimination at the hands of Germany in the last 16, but a disaffected public will not have to spend all that much longer with several of these players. This, after all, has been the oldest group ever to represent the country at the tournament. Germany's youth proved to be a devastating asset rather than a burden in Bloemfontein and no amount of indignation over a valid goal disallowed when the score was 2-1 alters that fact.
There was already a need for change even before the humdrum results in South Africa. While the European Championship of 2012 is an immediate target, every calculation really has to be made in the context of the next World Cup, in Brazil. Four years from now, the only members of the present group who will still be in their twenties are Joe Hart, Glen Johnson, James Milner, Aaron Lennon and Wayne Rooney.
A sprinkling of veterans is feasible, but in the light of the anti-climax Fabio Capello, if he stays in the post, ought to explore the alternatives thoroughly before tolerating so much as a remnant of the old guard. There is a simple beginning to be made at the very start of the line-up. An act of mercy might have spared Robert Green in the wake of the fiasco against USA, but Capello ditched him for the blunder and the West Ham goalkeeper will toil to rebuild his reputation.
As a 39-year-old, David James must know, too, that his career at the top-level will entail slipping back into the shadows of the England squad or vanishing entirely. In this area, though, his country are in luck since Joe Hart, following the loan spell with Birmingham City, returns to Manchester City and is entitled to believe he can make himself first-choice. He should impress if the sums spent by the club surround him with reliable team-mates.
The next phase for England appears far trickier when the outfield is considered, although Glen Johnson, who will be 29 when the tournament comes to Brazil, ought to have much of the dash he presently has and a great deal more know-how. Since experience counts in defence, John Terry, for all the torment in Bloemfontein, could still have value then as a 33-year-old. After all, it is already a very long time since the Chelsea centre-back looked in perfect condition. He prospers through decisiveness and know-how, attributes that will remain.
Acts of faith are obligatory when the seeming alternatives for 2014 are yet to convince. Michael Dawson can entertain hopes of being to the fore then despite the fact that, at 26, he is still uncapped. Those prospects reflect the shallow pool in which an England manager must fish. The 4-0 rout of the Under-21s by Germany in the European Championship final last year instilled reservations about the supposed emergence of new contenders.
However, that tournament was not uniformly blighted. England even won a penalty shoot-out against the host nation Sweden. The last kick to be taken by the victors was converted by Kieran Gibbs, the Arsenal left-back who has enjoyed the faith of Arsène Wenger. He was deemed suitable for high-profile games in the Premier League and Champions League while Gaël Clichy was absent.
Elsewhere in that England Under-21 squad, there was Jack Rodwell. Although he is capable of being a centre-half, the real potential of Everton's 19-year-old lies in his work as a defensive midfielder who can stride into the attack and shoot with great power. In time, Rodwell could have the already established James Milner as the team-mate who fills a more obviously attacking role in front of him.
The remainder of the midfield might also resolve itself without too much agonising. Capello already has youth on the flanks and whichever one of Lennon and Theo Walcott shows that it is feasible to be both fast and painstaking will ensure verve. There has to be a future, too, for Manchester City's Adam Johnson, an intriguing wide midfielder who progressed so speedily after the transfer from Middlesbrough in January that he nearly made it to this World Cup.
The more experienced players who can offer guidance should include Rooney, who, at 28, will still be craving to atone for his haplessness in South Africa. Identifying his sidekick in attack is a test, but Connor Wickham of Ipswich Town is hard to ignore. Sir Trevor Brooking, the FA's development director, views the side that won the Under-17 European Championship as a treasure trove. Wickham dazzled, striking twice in the semi-final with France and beating two men before curling home the winner against Spain in the final.
England, all the same, stops well short of proclaiming a golden generation. There are fewer contenders declaring themselves than we have been accustomed to since 2000. Even some of those who collapsed in Bloemfontein will be thought of more kindly for their better days. The men who follow may not be their equal.
England 2014 (4-1-3-1-1): Hart; Johnson, Dawson, Terry, Gibbs; Rodwell; Lennon, Milner, Johnson; Rooney; Wickham.
© Guardian News and Media 2010
