At the age of 28, this player made his England debut as the Three Lions drew 0-0 with world champions Germany at Wembley.
That player is a former Chelsea youth prospect, but never actually made a first team appearance for the Blues.
This week’s Forgotten Blue is Jack Cork.
Joining the club at the age of nine, Cork rose up through the various age levels at Chelsea, and captained the side’s youth and reserve teams.
He spent most his Chelsea career out on loan. A first loan spell happened during the 2006/07 season, as he signed for AFC Bournemouth on loan. He made seven league appearances during his time on the South Coast.
A loan spell at Scunthorpe United then followed, where he enjoyed first team football. Despite the club being relegated from the Championship, Cork was named as the club’s Player of the Year.
He would later have loan spells at Southampton, Watford, Coventry City, and Burnley. During his various loan spells, the Blues were looking to sell Cork permanently.
Cork finally got a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2011, and rejoined Southampton, the club he was on loan at a few years prior. As the Saints finished second in the Championship, Cork was the only Southampton player to play in every league game.
In the club’s first season back in the Premier League, Cork made 28 league appearances, and continued to impress from the midfield. He also made 28 league appearances the following season.
After making 12 Premier League appearances during the 2014/15 season, Cork left Southampton in January 2015, and signed for Swansea City.
At the Liberty Stadium, Cork became a key player in the Swans’ midfield. During the two-and-a-half years he spent in Wales, he made 80 Premier League appearances, and scored twice.
The 2017/18 season saw Cork move clubs once again. He rejoined another former side, as he signed for Burnley, for a fee believed to be around £8 million which could rise to £10 million in add-ons. So far this season, Cork has made 11 Premier League appearances, and his performances at Turf Moor had impressed England boss Gareth Southgate.
On November 10th, Cork made his England debut as an 86th minute substitute for Jake Livermore. If he continues his impressive form for Burnley, he could stake a claim for a place in England’s World Cup squad next year.