England Under 21 Discussions Thread #7

Only Davies and Choudhury as proper midfielders, a bit short on that position, also too many wingers. Maybe could have called up another midfielder (Sam Field or anyone else) in the place of Sessegnon for example.

 

It’s a shame. There’s so much talent in this squad, but I have no confidence in them. Well unbalanced and doesn’t seem like AB is even trying to fix the problems.

 

Reece James has been playing centre mid for Wigan of late, his performances at right-back might have warranted a place over KWP alone, but his versatility and aggression could've helped. He's in the U20s again.

 

Yes, James would be certainly an option there, he's been fantastic this season.

 

Refreshing after so many years of functional no nonsense players to have so many creative players in the squad. With Ejaria Onomah out I'm not sure who Boothroyd could have called up in midfield. James is very untested in that position. Like vs Denmark and Italy the idea will be to dominate possession from start to finish and score more than the opponent and I'm looking forward to it

 

Still better than playing someone like Dowell in a holding position.

 

Yeah, I'm not getting some of the negativity. Hugely exciting set of players. There could be a midfield of Chowdhury - Foden - Maddison

 

Agreed. On the positive side though, it’s important to have someone like Choudhury in there to let Foden and Maddison do their thing without too much restraint. Hoping we get to see that particular combination working together.

 

Maitland-Niles starts tonight so guess he’s not injured

 

He looked much more dangerous when he switched over to the left.

 

We took 9 defenders to the last euro's, hope we're not lining up to do that again. Absolutely no need to have Kenny or Lloyd (in the squad really. Considering Walker-Peters can easily cover left back and Sessegnon can also there's absolutely no need to take more than 7 defenders.

Plenty to enjoy in attack but the deeper midfield and pretty weak central defence will make it difficult for them to win the tournament you have to think. Maybe a couple of technicians next to Choudhury who's extremely limited on the ball but will cover a huge amount of ground and do a lot of the defensive work for them might work. A midfield of Davies, Foden and Maddison would be extremely lightweight.

 

I would take Trev Chalobah to the Euro's as a midfielder. I know he's seen in the England set up as a CB, but he has played week in-week out in midfield this season - sometimes as the sitter, sometimes as a 6 and played well more often than not.

Even if long term he is a CB, England U21s seem to be lacking mobile midfielders who can pass forwards effectively from a deeper role and Trev has been playing that role all season so can hardly be called 'out of position' there. Going to the Euro's would be a reward for a good season.

Also, there is no way that Reece James shouldn't be in the squad, he's an absolute cut above and is so versatile which is ideal for a tournament squad. I can see him easily leap frogging all the other young RBs into the full England squad in the next 18 months or so, with all due respect to Win-Bassaka

 

Why can’t we produce quality and consistent performing Central Midfielders in abundance like we do full backs or attacking wingers? The quality is so lob sided it’s kind of ridiculous.

 

Because too few managers trust young English players in central areas, instead pushing them to wider positions which inherently brings less risk, and then they rarely get moved back inside.

 

I keep thinking how useful Abrahams would be as a Vardy replacement at Leicester.

 

Looks like we might lose Lukas Nmecha to Germany which isn’t directly linked to the current U21’s but got me thinking about the next cycle. I can’t really think of many strikers that will step up after this Summer. Hopefully Brewster will be back fully fit and playing regularly but after that I’m struggling a bit. Is it just me or does it seem a bit lightweight for forward options for the next cycle? Names of the top of my head that could options, Greenwood, Maja, Loader. After that I’m struggling a bit?

 

Nketiah

 

it's because of the way football is played in England. Managers are incredibly risk averse and terrified to play CM who're not defenders. The gifted CM end up at 10 or on the wings. this philosophy has killed the national team for decades.

 

Forgot about Nketiah but I wonder if we will have forwards for the next cycle that potentially match the likes of Abraham, Solanke and Calvert-Lewin. I wonder for the first game of the qualifying after the Summer, which forwards are most likely to make the cut? Nketiah probably one then....

 

I thought this mentality had changed with the England DNA etc? Always remember Dan Ashworth saying things like we need to develop more midfielders that can create and manipulate the ball etc etc.

 

it has changed at academy level and in youth teams , but at senior club level it's still a problem IMO. McTominay is more likely to make it in England than Colkett or McEachran

 

Amn has a future as an attacking cm imo who can play wide right

He is a huge prospect

Cho is going to be as good as Sanchez imo. Looks like he could be an amazing g talent

 

Could also be inventive and try someone like Nelson through a central role.