England’s U21s Make History with European Championship Win
England’s U21s have made history by becoming the first team from the country to win the European Championship in almost 40 years. The Young Lions beat Spain in a dramatic and nerve-shredding final in Georgia, and the win represents another triumph for the country’s youth set-up.
The success of the U21s comes after Euros success for the U17s in 2014 and U19s in 2017 and 2022, as well as World Cup wins for the U17s and U20s in 2017. With the current crop of winners just one step removed from Gareth Southgate’s senior side, thoughts now inevitably turn to which of them might graduate to help their country end its long wait for major silverware – starting at next summer’s Euros in Germany.
Infrastructure and Processes Designed to Develop Players for National Team
For a long time, England have looked to other countries to see how they develop their players for the national team. In Europe alone, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain all seemed to have it sussed at various points. It may not have always led to major tournament success but the minds and means were there to provide them with the necessary tools and a resultant chance.
In 2000, a young Italy side containing Gennaro Gattuso and Andrea Pirlo won the U21 Euros. The same pair were in the heart of the Azzurri’s midfield six years later as they claimed the World Cup. Another World Cup winner, Daniele de Rossi, had helped Italy win the U21 Euros in 2004. Germany’s 2014 World Cup win was done with five members of the side that had won the U21 Euros five years earlier.
In the aftermath of England’s failed 1998 World Cup campaign, they looked in detail at how France’s Clairefontaine academy had provided the means for Les Bleus to win the global tournament a decade on and then the Euros two years later. All they saw were positives, so they largely copied it.
St George’s Park was finished in 2012 and became the architectural epicentre around which a complete overhaul of the English game was focused and which has since helped facilitate the country’s success at age-group level.
Who Could Graduate to Southgate’s Senior Squad?
It is logical that the U21s closest to graduating to Southgate’s senior squad are those who have already appeared in it. Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe has three caps to date, while Chelsea’s Levi Colwill has not had an official call-up but has trained with the senior group. Both have had good tournaments in Georgia and Romania but any chance of senior involvement next summer will be dependent on their club involvement in 2023-24.
Jacob Ramsey is another who many have touted for senior England involvement and is likely to be a big figure for Aston Villa in the coming season. Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott at Liverpool are also highly-rated and trusted by Reds boss Jurgen Klopp and have European experience already.
Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon has matched Smith Rowe’s goal tally for the U21s this summer, was named player of the tournament and is another with a big season ahead of him following his £45m move from Everton last January. James Trafford is on the brink of becoming the third most expensive English goalkeeper in history and will have plenty of exposure to build on an impressive tournament when he starts as Burnley’s new number one next season.
Arguably England’s best player at the tournament has been Morgan Gibbs-White – an intelligent, skilful and creative midfielder who had no shortage of minutes last season as he played a major role in helping Nottingham Forest beat the drop. He will have every opportunity to again showcase his talents to Southgate in 2023-24.
Conclusion
England have made significant progress in their development strategy over the last decade, with success at age-group level proving that they are heading in the right direction. However, senior silverware must follow if this investment is to be worthwhile.
The current crop of U21 players are just one step removed from Gareth Southgate’s senior side and some may be able to make that step up before next summer’s Euros in Germany. Smith Rowe and Colwill already have caps, while Ramsey, Jones, Elliott, Gordon, Madueke and Trafford all have big seasons ahead of them that could propel them into contention for a place in Southgate’s squad.
England have a wealth of talent at their disposal and it will be interesting to see which of these players can make that final step up to help their country end its long wait for major silverware.