Friday 15 July 2016 13:27, UK
England’s U19 group are looking to build on their success at U17 level. How good are they and will they be able to kick on? We take a look...
Aidy Boothroyd has insisted that it's "not all doom and gloom" for English football following the senior side's dismal display at this summer's European Championships and his U19 team is trying to prove just that in Germany this month.
The teenagers kicked off their own Euro campaign with a 2-1 victory over France on Tuesday and another three points against Netherlands on Friday lunchtime - courtesy of another 2-1 victory - has sealed a semi-final spot with a game to spare.
"We have settled in really well," said Boothroyd. "We have worked all season to get to this point and know it's about making the most of our opportunity."
The challenge is to win the competition for the first time since 1993. Robbie Fowler was the top scorer that year and given that England's previous triumph in a competition that's played every year was back in 1980, it's not a particularly auspicious record. However, there are signs that these players are different.
This is the same group that won the European U17 Championship in Malta in 2014. Dominic Solanke, who scored the winning goal against France, scored the openers in the semi-final and final two years ago. Chelsea team-mate Izzy Brown is involved again too.
Goalkeepers Freddie Woodman and Sam Howes of Newcastle and West Ham respectively are still in the squad, as are Everton duo Jonjoe Kenny and Ryan Ledson. The likes of Taylor Moore, Josh Onomah and Dael Fry have stepped up as well.
"It's helpful that there's a core group of about six or seven of the squad that were part of that victory in Malta," said Boothroyd. "That's what we're trying to do: produce players who can go on to play for the senior team.
"I think playing tournaments and winning competitions is what the development team is all about. The fact that we won in Malta has been really useful in the build-up and we've been able to tap into those experience. Perhaps we're also a little wiser to some of the pitfalls."
The pitfalls for Boothroyd include that familiar issue of player withdrawals. There could have been as many as 11 of the winning squad from 2014. Unfortunately, Patrick Roberts stayed with Celtic. He was an unused substitute in their embarrassing European defeat in Gibraltar.
Lewis Cook, another member of that squad, stayed with Leeds on the insistence of new boss Garry Monk - only to be sold to Bournemouth. "It's a problem that you can have when you have a tournament in July and clubs are coming back for pre-season," said Boothroyd.
"Garry was really keen to keep him and we really wanted him to come. In the end, if a club decides that a player can't come then that's what happens. It's disappointing for us."
Even so, Boothroyd can count on an eclectic bunch. Indeed, it's tempting to conclude it's a factor in their success. Moore plays his club football in France with Lens, while Solanke and Brown spent last season gaining good experience in the Eredivisie.
"We have a mixture of players," said Boothroyd. "Some are playing league games in the English system and a couple are playing over in Holland for Vitesse. This collection of experiences together is going to be really helpful for them.
"Any experience of doing well in tournaments, playing in foreign countries and against international opponents can only be a positive thing. It gives them a different insight."
Any experience of doing well in tournaments against international opponents can only be a positive thing. It gives them a different insight.
Of course, the fact that the Chelsea loanees might not get the chance to continue their development is the crux of the issue. Can England's talented teenagers transition into senior stars? Time spent on the pitch between the age of 18 and 21 is where key progress is made.
That's beyond Boothroyd's control. His priority is the semi-final place in Germany that has ensured England qualify for next year's U20 World Cup in South Korea and the opportunity for this talented group to continue their journey together.
"We want to be a collective," said Boothroyd. "We've got no superstars. If we can take all of our good players and turn them into a good team then we've done our job."
The job of translating trophies at youth level to senior success could take a little longer.
