England Under 21 Discussions Thread (2004+ born) #8

Joshua King was our #YoungLions Player of the Match connected by @EE this evening against Andorra 👏 pic.twitter.com/fdNFkRP20a

— England (@England) March 27, 2026

 

Agree on the attacking options. However, it´s not helpful when Carsley insists on selecting bench options like Esse, George, or Dibling (who I personally think doesn´t have too much upside anyways but would still be eligible for the next cycle just like George so why keep him with the u21 when he´s barely playing club football? Think it´s a different situation to someone like Morton who had a pretty unique profile which was worth keeping around because the senior team lacked/lacks his profile). Why not try someone like Shoretire? It´s his last cycle and he´s getting regular game time in the Eredivisie from what I´ve heard which is a very decent level for the u21s.

Also still can´t understand how Mubama was selected over one of Lankshear, Dean or Ballard who weren´t injured for almost 2 monts and only just made their comeback and who have all been in quite a decent goal-scoring form for their respective league level. Not only has Mubama been injured for quite some time, but his form his dipped massively right before his injury and consequently he´s often found himself out of the Stoke starting 11. He had that header in the first half which went wide. Of course, any striker can miss a header but I´m wondering if a striker who´s had more recent matches and more confidence would have burried that chance... I´d also totally understand if you tried to give a young striker prospect who you rate quite highly (ideally so highly you´d trust him to make the jump to the senior side one day) some of his confidence back in the u21s but (and as harsh as that sounds) I´m doubtful Mubama as a prospect´s "worth" this investment over other age-eligible number 9s.

On another note: Hopefully this game puts all these inverted fullback discussions for the senior side to bed once and for all...

 

I just think this U21 team is a bit of a mess to be honest, well it was clearly last night. We had central midfielders who don’t move the ball quick enough which basically resulted in keeping possession of the ball going backwards and sideways and by the time the ball got to the wide players, there was no space, Andorra knew what we were trying to do and crowded our wingers out because it was so predictable. The lack of creativity was also noticeable and probably not helped due to the slow play from midfield. When playing these low block teams, you have to move the ball quickly and through the lines which Jobe and Peck didn’t seem to do, not sure if it’s in their locker but didn’t see it last night but then again also doesn’t help by having an immobile striker who’s off form, who doesn’t drop deep to receive the ball. Then we can talk about the fullbacks which Barry has talked about and it’s just not going to click and the end up result ends in a mess imo. Carsley has to go back to the drawing board with this I think and seeing how he’s been in the past, I think he will.

 

Jobe barely ever plays forward, it´s sideways and safe 99% of the time. That´s his biggest criticism at Dortmund as well. Peck I know is capable of line-breaking passes (in an inferior league though of course) but he also can drift out of games and appear to be a passenger (especially when the opposition pressed us efficiently or was very physical in their approach).

 

Agree with a few others this team needs and injection of talent in attacking areas, Moore, Dowman and Ngumoha seem like obvious additions especially if the U19s are eliminated.

 

No matches in June for the U21”s and Dowman and Ngumoha are eligible for next years U19’s as well. With what Carsley said I don’t think he is planning on promoting Dowman for a while. Moore has a good chance of being involved on September but he has withdrawn on medical grounds from the U19’s multiple times this season now which is a bit concerning

 

I know they are eligible, but if you think Dowman is playing the next U19s campaign I’m not sure what to tell you. I’m not talking about June, I mean the group that will go to Euros next year. Moore has been nursing an injury for weeks, I’m not sure what you are insinuating.

 

The midfield is definitely an issue, especially for the way Carsley plays. Jobe/Peck/King aren't passers.

MLS is the best passer by far in this age group and should start in midfield. Archie is developing on that end but he still looks a bit more of a carrier to me for now. Miley could help a bit.

 

The attackers in the squad are really the poorest we've had at this level in a long time but at the same time they should still have far more than needed to beat Andorra.

We always knew the 04's/05's were going to be a down cycle so tempering expectations was fair, but not to the level of nearly being beat by Andorra....

 

I think Dowman could still be with them in September if Carsley doesn’t think he is ready for the U21’s. Unlikely he actually goes to the Tournament
I’m just worried about Moore being unsure if to commit because he is still tempted by Wales or is not 100% keen on international football/the current U19 set up

 

You really think it's 'unlikely' that Dowman goes to the 2027 u21 Euros, because he'll be with the seniors by then?

 

If Moore decides he wants to play for Wales, it will be in about 6 or 7 years time, when he’s aged out of the 21s, and with no prospect of making the seniors, not at 18.

 

Carsley's tenure has been amazing overall but there have been a number of embarrassing results.

 

Cramming all the best players into the starting XI regardless of balance or fit is a consistent theme across every single age group now. Maybe it's a top down instruction from the FA? Seems like they're trying to maximise on-pitch time for certain players but it obviously means nothing when you get results like we're currently getting.

 

Expect Mubama up top obviously

 

This group is absolutely desperate for the under 19 wingers to graduate into this group next season. Chronic.

 

Be interesting how many of them are there in September . Carsley has always had a bit of bias against younger players so I’m not sure Ngumhoa and Dowman will be there.

 

9 of the players in this squad are already playing up a cycle, so I think he already appreciates the 04/05 is a weak group. 3 of those 9 are also the wide players Dibling, George and Amo.

Mikey Moore is also part of that under 19 group and will surely be promoted next season. Jesse Derry could also put himself on the radar with a good loan move, i'd guess.