England Under 21 Discussions Thread (2002+ born) #8

McAtee has some good numbers considering he was at an incredibly poor Sheffield United team.
He's low on passing stats, but his take on and progressive carries are honestly incredible considering how bad the team he's playing in is. https://fbref.com/en/players/96593e89/James-Mcatee, think they'll be a bunch of PL clubs in for him.

 

Yeah you might be right. It's mainly because he's lot his place in the team and his stock isn't that high atm. Seems quite rare that PL clubs make those transfers with youngsters, especially when you consider the fact City will ask for a fair bit for him given he's young, English and has senior experience.

 

we wanted McAtee last summer I could see us taking him on loan this summer, I still expect us to sign Sensi and sell Dewsbury-Hall so that would leave a gap for him and the likes of Alves to get a crack at

 

He'd suit you quite a lot. He's only got two years left on his City deal so I think they'll be trying to flog him permanently while they can still get better value for him.

 

Wolves were linked with McAtee a few weeks ago.

 

Quansah scores for Liverpool.

 

Guehi, Branthwaite, Colwill, and Quansah is certainly making for a interesting new generation of centre backs. Seems like we are maybe finally getting back on track for centre back production after over a decade of it being a weakness.

Very timely given the likelihood that we will need a new back 4 come 2026.

 

Be interesting to see what the U21 and senior back 4 is after the Euros. I think walker will retire from international football and maybe Stones. Will Colwill go back to the u21s? Will Quansah stay in the u21s? Will Branthwaite stay in the Seniors? Will Both Managers still be in the same jobs.

 

I think post Euros we'll see at least one of these come into the squad as a regular but a few aren't ready yet imo. I think CBs and goalkeepers especially you need to be careful with given how costly individual errors can be in those positions and a couple of those names would be better off with a slightly more staggered development pathway imo.

I would be surprised if we bridged the gap with someone like Tosin coming in for a bit.

 

Surprised Tosin hasn't had a senior call up already. Looks like hes going to a big team in the summer.

 

I think all of that but Coiwlll going back to the U21’s. Don’t see that happening.

 

Iling Jr started and won the Copa Italia final 1-0 against Atalanta at LWB.

 

Archie Gray the only English eligible starter for Leeds tonight.

 

I wonder how players like Hackney and Elliott view the call-ups of Mainoo and Wharton leapfrogging them into the senior team. It must feel like doing well at U21 level is almost worthless.

 

Judging by Gibbs-White's reaction yesterday they (Elliott in particular) will probably feel hard done by, but if they're being rational they should be able to see why it's happened.

Mainoo and Wharton's qualities are simply less abundant in the senior team than Elliott's and Hackney will know playing in the Championship is always going to work against him in senior England selection.

I rate Elliott but it's hard to see where he could fit into this team right now without a better player dropping out.

 

Angel Gomes as well who wins at u21 level and then puts together an amazing season at Lille. Only to hear southgate say he has gone months thinking 'Declan and who? And who if without Declan?'
Cheers boss.

 

I think Gibbs - White might well have been unhappy about certain individual players getting called - it seemed quite a personal reaction

Elliott is probably a bit annoyed but hopefully understands.

Hackney I doubt had any reason to think he might be called up

 

I don't really get why Gibbs - White was upset. He plays attacking mid /10. The players that are ahead of of him in the pecking order are Bellingham, Foden, Palmer and Maddison. 2 of them player will be up for the ballon d'or and another has been voted the best young player in the country.

 

🔵 Chelsea goalkeeper Sharman-Lowe signs new one-year deal with an option for a further season.

He’s set to go on loan next season. pic.twitter.com/DEWoMEU0pe

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 24, 2024

 

4 of the 11 who started the Euro final are in the squad which seems pretty good going for a year later, particularly given Trafford and Jones have seemingly had a big boost to their England chances based on their performances for the under 21s.

 

Not really. The cream usually rises to the top. Wharton and mainoo are top players. Elliot will get his chance