David Bentley – Arsenal

Billed as the “new David Beckham” as a youngster, Bentley said he was out to take Beckham’s England spot when he was called up to the national team. His career took a different path and he gave up the game at 29 in 2014. By then he had played for England, Arsenal and Spurs as well as becoming the first Englishman to play in the Russian top flight. Now 33, he has a number of businesses in Spain and the UK, including restaurants and a flooring company. The only player to feature at the Sevens to win a watch by kicking a ball into a skip.

Jack Grealish – Aston Villa

Anton Ferdinand – West Ham United

Rio’s younger brother never really shifted that tag and at 33 he has just been transfer listed by League One side Southend United despite being club captain and playing 35 games this season. Probably more famous for the racism charge levelled at John Terry than a career that took in struggling Premier League sides and the Greek top flight.

Harry Panayiotou – Leicester City

Harry “The Net Ripper” Panayiotou to give him his full name, at least according to the St Kitts and Nevis stadium announcer. Panayiotou chose to represent them over Cyprus so he would not have to do national service and he became Leicester’s all-time international top scorer with a goal in Aruba. Released by Leicester, for whom he had made his debut at 17, he was offered a contract with Borussia Dortmund under-23s but opted for National League Barrow. He was released by them at the end of this season, a disappointment which fits with his desire to emulate Jamie Vardy’s rise from non-league.

Shaun Maloney – Celtic

Malaysia-born Maloney played six years at Celtic Park before a year at Aston Villa. He returned to Glasgow for another three seasons, Wigan Athletic for four and then Chicago Fire in the MLS before one last Premier League hurrah with Hull City. He called it quits last year due to injury but had played nearly 50 times for Scotland, winning five Scottish League titles and the English FA Cup. He is now a coach at Celtic.

Barry Bannan – Aston Villa

The Scot was named player of the tournament in 2008 but his biggest plaudits were yet to come. Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier likened the midfielder to Barcelona duo Andres iniesta and Xavi soon after arriving at Villa Park. “I don’t think Xavi and Iniesta, who are outstanding players, are of huge size. They are intelligent, they have the skill, they have the desire – young Barry has all of that.” Scotland teammate Darren Fletcher also compared him to the pair as well as Manchester United great Paul Scholes. Bannan has not hit those heights but after a few seasons on loan, has played over 100 times for Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship and at 28 is a regular for Scotland.

Sergio Escudero – Urawa Red Diamonds

Marc Albrighton – Aston Villa

Released by boyhood club Villa after five seasons in and around the first team but played every game as Leicester City won the Premier League in 2016. He was part of their great escape the season before and scored the club’s first ever Champions League goal last season. An ever-present on the wing at the Walkers Stadium.

Samu Saiz – Atletico Madrid

The Spaniard was 24 when he lit up the Sevens in 2015, where he was named player of the tournament and top scorer. Has since swapped Atletico Madrid, for whom he never made a first team appearance, for Leeds United, where he is now captain and was nominated for the Yorkshire side’s player of the season award.

Keinan Davis – Aston Villa

Played at the Sevens last year and this season the former Biggleswade Town forward has made the step up to Steve Bruce’s first team, featuring 30 times. Scored some vital goals to get the club into the play-offs but has gone down the pecking order as senior strikers have returned from injury. Named the club’s young player of the year.

Josh Eppiah – Leicester City

The Belgian striker won player of the tournament and golden boot last year and was top scorer in 2016, too. This year he returns for his third sevens. Yet to make his first team debut but he is highly thought of at Leicester and has been linked with a host of other Premier League clubs.

Zoltan Stieber – Aston Villa

The player of the tournament in 2007, Hungarian Stieber never played for the Villans but did turn out for Yeovil Town on loan before moving to Germany. He played for several Bundseliga clubs before moving to the United States where he currently plays for DC United in the MLS. The 29-year-old could line up alongside Wayne Rooney later this season. Stieber represented Hungary at Euro 2016.

Glen Johnson – West Ham United

The England full back has turned out more than 50 times for the Three Lions in a career that has seen him play for Chelsea, Portsmouth and Liverpool since leaving West Ham. Won the Premier League with Chelsea, the FA Cup with Portsmouth and a League Cup with Liverpool. At 33, he has just been relegated from the top flight with Stoke City.

Gabby Agbonlahor – Aston Villa

The club legend starred at the 2006 Sevens, where he was player of the tournament, and has since become Villa’s all-time Premier League top scorer. Now 31, he’s still at Villa Park but is expected to leave when his contract expires this summer. Played three times for England.

Hamza Choudhury – Leicester City

Made the breakthrough to the first team at the end of the season, playing eight games and registering an assist against Arsenal. Was named development player of the year for his performances in the under-23s.