England’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship campaign kicks off this week against the Czech Republic. Lee Carsley’s squad is packed with Premier League players, making them one of the favourites to win the tournament in Georgia and Romania. Unfortunately, no UK-based TV company has bid for the rights to show the Young Lions in action. However, games will be available to stream for free via the UEFA website. TalkSPORT 2 will have live coverage from the Batumi Arena in Georgia, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm UK time. Commentary will come from Olly Clink and former England international David Nugent. TalkSPORT.com will also have a live blog to take you through all the action.
Team News
Levi Colwill might not play a part in the first group game, as he was called up to England’s senior team and joined the group late. But Emile Smith Rowe is expected to be fully fit and ready to contribute despite a disrupted campaign at Arsenal.
England U21 Squad in Full
Goalkeepers: Josh Griffiths (West Bromwich Albion), Carl Rushworth (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Trafford (Manchester City)
Defenders: Max Aarons (Norwich City), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Charlie Cresswell (Leeds United), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Manchester City), Ben Johnson (West Ham United), Luke Thomas (Leicester City)
Midfielders: Tommy Doyle (Manchester City), Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), James Garner (Everton), Angel Gomes (Lille), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa), Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Cameron Archer (Aston Villa), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Cole Palmer (Manchester City) Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)
What Has Been Said?
England boss Carsley is confident his side can win the Euros. Speaking after the squad announcement, he said: “We feel quite confident about the squad. We tried to pick as many players who have been playing, particularly towards the end of the season and we’ve got plenty of players who have been and there’s plenty of caps in there. Stats would tell you from past U21 tournaments that we haven’t won it since 1984 and we’re rated sixth or eighth in the coefficient rankings, so to win it we’re going to have to perform above where our ratings are at the minute. I’m confident in the group, I feel like we’re in a good position and we’re going to go out there and really attack every team and I’m confident we can do well.”
Conclusion
England’s U21 squad is packed with Premier League players, making them one of the favourites to win the UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Unfortunately, no UK-based TV company has bid for the rights to show the Young Lions in action. However, games will be available to stream for free via the UEFA website. TalkSPORT 2 will have live coverage from the Batumi Arena in Georgia, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm UK time. Commentary will come from Olly Clink and former England international David Nugent. TalkSPORT.com will also have a live blog to take you through all the action. England last won this competition in 1984, and Lee Carsley’s squad is determined to change that this year.