England U-16 Discussion Thread #2 [R] (2010 born)

‘Ex’ even!

 

I suspect his dad isn't too happy about England playing him in his age group.

 

To be honest I haven´t been too impressed by him in an England shirt so far (quite contrary to United where he always seems to influence games at u18 level and be their standout performer). Also, what would he even gain from playing up an age group when the 2009s didn´t qualify for the Euros? That´s why I´m also wondering if we´ll see Nicol-Jazuli back with this group once the u17 Euro qualification phase starts...Surely his dad doesn´t expect him to be called up for the u19s with Dowman injured, or would he actually entertain that thought? Hard to tell obviously...

 

Shoretire, apparently he's having a bit of a breakout season in Holland. Could be another option for the 21s!

https://www.whoscored.com/players/410512/show/shola-shoretire

 

First call up for Kasen Brown, 46th player to be called up to U16s across the 4 camps this season

 

off course as a parent you want what’s best for your kid but far too many parents seem to be having a disruptive influence on their sons it seems these days, from Bellingham(s), to Shoretire to JJ. Just let the kids play and don’t spit your dummies out about which National squad they are selected for, let the coaches decide and respect it.

 

Was actually thinking of Greenwood, lol

 

Well I'm only speculating on why JJ has not accepted the call-up, they might really believe that playing in the FA Youth Cup is a better level given it's an u18 tournament and the premier youth tournament in England.

 

not the first, or last, time he'll turn down an invitation for his country.

 

Shadrach Ekiugbo (Liverpool) apparently in the squad too.

 

Actual squad announced now

https://www.englandfootball.com/art...der-16s-squad-named-for-turkiye-trip-20261702

From the Secret Scout squad

No Kasen Brown, but Shadrach Ekiugbo in instead

Oluwatitojumi Wellspring (Tottenham Hotspur) and Heaven Kilwa (Aston Villa) also in the squad


Goalkeepers: Lucca Benetton (Crystal Palace), Mikel Jack (Tottenham Hotspur)

Defenders: Theodore Carrington (Manchester City), Shadrach Ekiugbo (Liverpool), Emmanuel Fejokwu (West Ham United), Josh Henry (Chelsea), George Jobling (Chelsea), Bobby Martin (Southampton), Thomas McDermott (Chelsea), Rory Sykens (Brighton & Hove Albion)

Midfielders: David Eze (Manchester City), Darren Motsi (Leicester City), Mishel Nduka (Arsenal), Xavier Parker (Manchester City), Reggie Watson (Chelsea), Oluwatitojumi Wellspring (Tottenham Hotspur)

Forwards: Joshua Abe (Liverpool), Mylo Bernard (Crystal Palace), Oscar Johnson (Aston Villa), Vincent Joseph (Liverpool), Heaven Kilwa (Aston Villa), Emerson Nwaneri (Arsenal)

 

Differences from last U16 squad - think Man City and Chelsea were in the US so only available players from them were those being released (Jobson and McDermott)

In
GK - Lucca Bennetton (Crystal Palace)
DF - Emmanuel Fejokwu (West Ham)
DF - Josh Henry (Chelsea)
DF - Theo Carrington (Man City)
MF - Darren Motsi (Leicester)
MF - David Eze (Man City)
MF - Reggie Watson (Chelsea)
MF - Xavier Parker (Man City)
AT - Josh Abe (Liverpool)

Out
GK - Charles Phillips (Arsenal)
GK - Jake Hames (Leicester)
GK - Cooper Covington (Bristol City)
DF - Chase Kapotwe (Fulham)
DF - Chetam Esenwata (Charlton)
DF - Cyril Lartey (WBA)
DF - Joseph Deighton (Man U)
MF - Kwasi Senyah (Wolves)
MF - Muawiya Ghanem (Newcastle)
MF - Olly Lloyd (Aston Villa)
MF - Zac Christie (Bournemouth)
AT - Josh Blake (Aston Villa)

 

Chelsea academy starlet George Jobling has completed a move to Spurs - The Sun

 

The framing is hyperbolic as you might expect, the keeper should've saved it after getting a full hand on it.

🚨🚨🎥 JJ Gabriel scores an INCREDIBLE goal for Manchester United Under-18s against Oxford United in the FA Youth Cup! WOW! #MUFC [@UnitedAnalyst7] ⭐️💫 https://t.co/CjjT5OOMye

— mufcmpb (@mufcMPB) February 18, 2026

Nice technique

2024210366499012861 is not a valid tweet id

 

too much hype...

"I've seen all the great English talents over the last 30 years but I'll never forget watching Manchester United's JJ Gabriel for the first time - this special 15-year-old is a future superstar"

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/f...549/JJ-Gabriel-Manchester-United-talents.html

 

True but there is a disconnect between his staus in the England set-up and his performances in the u18 league given his age. He's often started from the bench for England and been outperformed by the likes of Grimwade but JJ has made a much bigger impact at u18 level domestically than Grimwade so far.

 

well said. i'm sure those paths will come together as he grows older. you'd hope, at least.

physically he has some way to go (stating the obvious). will also be interesting to see if England promote him early or keep him with his age group.

not to compare the two but Dowman proved more "ready", progressing from U16 > U17 > becoming our youngest ever U19 goal scorer. JJ's path is slightly different.

 

2025178374193177070 is not a valid tweet id

 

Your England U16 XI To Face Denmark 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇩🇰

Lucca Bennetton (GK)
Shadrach Ekiugbo
Bobby Martin
Theo Carrington
Rory Sykens
Toju Wellspring
David Eze
Darren Motsi
Oscar Johnson
Heaven Kilwa
Vincent Joseph

Let’s Do This, Young Lions 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🦁 pic.twitter.com/5NQTb8wate

— The England Academy (@EnglandAcad) February 21, 2026

 

There's a stream here: https://www.fordanmark.dk/live/u16-drenge-danmark-england/

Doesn't seem to be working for me though, think it may require a subscription.

 

Works for me

 

Works for me but to be honest the picture isn’t the best, looks like awful conditions and the camera is so far away from the pitch I can hardly make anything out on my phone.

 

2-1 loss, Josh Abe scored the goal.

 

Dan Armer's doing a proper Harry Maguire impression, isn't he?

 

you can watch the game here. spoiler alert. england are an absolute shambles for the first 70 minutes or so. some of the defending (they seem to be trying to play a back 3) is particularly bad. it all gets better after the cavalry get subbed on. they could even have snatched a draw.