Last time England took part there were some now big names in there, in Kane, Barkley, Dier etc. That team came dead last in their group, having drawn a lot of their games. Comparing the two squads I'd say the big difference is that there was a lot of dross in that team as well - while the strenght of the champions is the overall quality from everyone involved, no weak links.
Calvert-Lewin scored our first goal in the first game of the tournament for us and our last in the championship. His only two goals.
Considering the season he had I think Solanke did well enough. For me though Onomah, Lookman and KWP were our best performers. Tomori was good too. Numerous options contributed positively which is why we won in the end. Can't really say any player was caught truly out of their depth. Most of the issues I thought could be attributed to wrongly prescribed specific role selections or tactical issues.
No doubt I'm sure but this win will put these kids on the map and more questions will be asked about why we can't get them into first team football in the Prem and an increase in clamor and maybe more pressure for Clubs to trust the youngsters coming through. One can only hope anyway. http://www.skysports.com/football/n...-more-premier-league-minutes-says-lee-hendrie
I still think Ejaria was underused considering his brilliant game against Korea but hey, who am I to criticise considering we just won the whole thing
First of all well done to the boys. Great achievement. Now probably comes the hard part. In many ways similar to the '93 group (perhaps more even more defensive options). But opportunity and injury hurt a few of the '93s. Hopefully that winning culture they seem to have and created gives them the edge to the '93 group.
I know a win is a win but I was disappointed with that. Having to cling on till the end when it could have been sown up in the first half but for poor finishing - bad technique. These specialist coaches need to get to work.
I'd say the above as well as Woodman, Tomori, Cook ,DCL ,Kenny, Ojo, Dowell and Ejaria all made an impact and showed great potential at times as well as maybe Solanke. If you had to name one star though it has to be Lookman who always looked dangerous
Compiled all of Josh Onomah's U20 World Cup performances and put them into one video. Been extremely impressed with him all tournament. pic.twitter.com/HET5Z4zS64— Jake. (@YedIin) June 11, 2017
Onomah was probably the most encouraging English player for me this tournament. It's going to be interesting to see who's starting games in midfield for next season's under-21s: obviously Alli isn't going to come back, but they could be retaining Loftus-Cheek and Winks and adding Onomah, Cook, Davies and others without even disturbing the under-19s.
With the dearth of CM's available for selection I don't think you can rule out any of them being brought into the seniors if they start games next season and play well. Alli only got two U21 caps and it may well happen again.
No, I agree, hence "could be", but that would be a really good thing in itself. It's obviously been a weak position in senior squads for some time now, but if you add in the players who are passing out of the under-21s this summer - Baker, Hughes, Chalobah, Swift, Ward-Prowse - then I think there's at least cause for hope that we won't be relying on the likes of Jake Livermore for very much longer.
IMO Onomah, Tomori, Cook, and Woodman will definitely be full England internationals in the next two seasons. There's plenty of others who have good chances, but these guys stand out. We desperately need players like them in the setup. For instance, if Onomah started against Scotland then we would've won for sure. Woodman will and maybe already has caught the eye of some big clubs with his performance in the World Cup. Winning the best keeper award certainly strengthens his case too. KWP showed how calm he is in possession and that he can play as an LB just as well as a RB. I think Kenny will do well going forward too, but IMO KWP impressed scouts more. We're pretty stacked with No. 9s so it'll be hard for Solanke to get up the pecking order. Although he can play as a No. 10 and a winger, it was pretty clear that his best position is a striker. As for center backs; Fry, Clarke-Salter, Gomez, and Oxford all look better than Cahill. But Tomori stands out the most for me. He did have the backpass howler and almost headed the ball over Woodman for an OG today, but other than that he was quick, strong, and composed.
Cook, I can definitely see, and if he starts next season as he finished this one then I don't think it'll take long at all. The others, I think, are a bit more speculative within that kind of timeframe. It would depend on club circumstances that are very hard to predict.
I don't really understand the hype about Cook tbh. Good engine but lacks composure on the ball, not sure he would bring something that is currently missing in the senior team.
Well, this isn't saying a lot but I think he's got more footballing ability than Jake Livermore already
With a stable, more defensive midfielder in pair he could be very useful, with his tenacity and passing there are not many midfielders in the England setup like him. Maybe Wilshere but he is done already.
England Under-20 manager Paul Simpson on winning the World Cup [BBC]pic.twitter.com/PIanrXX8hB— Off The Post News (@offthepostnews) June 12, 2017
And let us not forget that in that tournament people were saying how Kane was awful and had no chance of a career in the top flight. It is really hard to judge who will and won't make it in youth football.