Footballers who went from Soccer AM Skill Skool to Premier League stardom including FOUR England stars
OVER the years Soccer AM has seen a host of players compete in their famous “Skill Skool”.
The feature was a popular part of the cult Sky Sports show, set to be axed at the end of the season.
Many of youngsters who tried their luck in the skills challenge struggled to make a name for themselves as their careers progress.
But others have made it all the way to the top, with certain individuals even becoming England regulars.
It has proved to be a breeding ground for a host of young teenage hopefuls looking to increase their profile.
But not all of the most famous names came out on top when they took on a team-mate in the skills challenge.
Here are some of the most memorable appearances from the show.
Raheem Sterling vs vs Christian Nanetti
Chelsea and England star Raheem Sterling appeared on the Skill Skool at the age of just 15 while playing for QPR’s youth team.
He has gone on to play for Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea, while also racking up 82 appearances for the Three Lions.
However, back then he was outdone by team-mate Christian Nanetti – a player who went on to feature in the National League and Serie D.
Jordan Henderson vs Nathan Luscombe
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifted the club’s first league title in 30 years back in 2020.
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But before he became a Reds and England regular he was a young hopeful at Sunderland.
And the Black Cats prospect took on Nathan Luscombe – who beat Henderson in a battle of skills.
However, it’s fair to say Henderson ended up having the better career as Luscombe left Sunderland without playing a first-team game.
He was last seen featuring for Celtic Nation in the Northern League in 2014.
Britt Assombalonga vs Stephen Hamilton-Forbes
Championship star Britt Assombalonga took on team-mate Stephen Hamilton-Forbes in a Skill Skool challenge when he was coming through at Watford.
And they produced a memorable moment on Soccer AM when Hamilton-Forbes’ keepie-uppies were caught in Assombalonga’s shirt.
Assombalonga was then pushed over by his team-mates in a hilarious clip.
Since then, he has gone on to play for the likes of Peterborough, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Adana Demirspor, before returning o Watford.
Hamilton-Forbes was last seen at Enfield Town.
Danny Ings vs Muzzy Holmes
West Ham striker Danny Ings has enjoyed an impressive Premier League career for the likes of Burnley, Southampton, Liverpool and Aston Villa.
But fans were first given a glimpse of his talent when he took on Muzzy Holmes in a Skill Skool episode.
Ings, who would go on to earn one England cap, beat Holmes after the pair showed off their skills.
And while Ings went on to have a successful career, Holmes failed to earn an appearance for Bournemouth’s first team.
Nathan Redmond vs Akwasi Asante
Like Ings, Nathan Redmond is another of England’s one-cap wonders.
The 29-year-old now plies his trade in Turkey for Besiktas and has also featured for Birmingham, Norwich and Southampton.
And before breaking through the ranks at Birmingham, a young Redmond took on in the Soccer AM segment.
Akwasi ended up leaving Birmingham in 2014 and experienced a career in non-league football – featuring for the likes of Chester and Gloucester City – and has been been at Chesterfield since 2020.
Matthew Briggs vs Danny Hoesen
Fulham youth-team product Matthew Briggs may not be known to many football fans.
But until 2018 he held the Premier League record for being the youngest ever player to feature in the competition.
Lawrie Sanchez brought on the left-back at the age of just 16 years and 65 days.
Briggs made 30 appearances for the Cottagers before turning out for Colchester United, Chesterfield, Barnet and Maldon & Tiptree.
Meanwhile, Danny Hoesen left Fulham without a first-team game under his belt.
However, he went on to play 44 times for Ajax and then joined MLS outfit San Jose Earthquakes.
He currently plays for Dutch top-tier side FC Emmen.