U17 Euro Championship

[moomba]

Just watching the opening game between Spain and Austria.

Do we have anyone playing in this tournament?

 

[Ray78]

Javairo Dilrosun

 

[moomba]

Cool thanks. I'll keep an eye out for their (Holland?) matches.

 

[Ray78]

Netherlands vs Republic of Ireland (tomorrow).

 

[sam-caddick]

The YouthHawk blog on England:

England

The English 1998 year group is often unfairly criticised as a weak one. What it is, is a mix of the September ’97-August ’98 stars and leftovers, augmented by six schoolboys from the September ’98 – Aug ’99 generation. To understand how heavily this England side is hit by the clash in eligibility dates you have to look at the defence, where of the domestically-eligible players for this year group the first choice centre-backs would be Jake Clarke-Salter and Toisin Adarabioyo, while Cameron Carter-Vickers (who missed out on eligibility by virtue of being born a few hours early) would likely be declaring his allegiance to England and not America.

What arises from the mix is a side that possesses six genuine stars in goalkeeper Paul Woolston, the best left-back in the Premier League, Jay Dasilva (Ian Wright may have been nearer the truth if he’d called him more talented than any current Premier League left-back), centre-back Reece Oxford, attacking midfielder Marcus Edwards, and wingers Layton Ndukwu and Chris Willock. Around them is a supporting cast of reasonably to moderately talented first year scholars, and promising but inexperienced schoolboys.

There are three real strengths to the team which are the left-sided combination of Dasilva and Willock who will interchange with Ndukwu; the defence as a whole should be solid; and the attacking trident behind the striker will pose problems. The issue is that playing in a 4-2-3-1 formation, there are two gaping holes in the team, which are the ‘2’ and the ‘1’. Coach John Peacock has experimented throughout the season with the defensive midfield roles and his late call-up of Liverpool schoolboys Trent Arnold and Herbie Kane suggests he’s still not happy with the options he’s got. It has been a problem all season, something exacerbated by those two slots being the most important positions in the formation both for defensive integrity and the quality of supply to the attacking four, which is where England have frequently struggled. Up front Kaylen Hinds seemed certain for a starting spot only for injury to rule him out and behind him there is no obvious back up. Muscular Arsenal teammate Stephy Mavididi impressed at the Under-17 Al Kass Cup and has received his first international call-up, while Chelsea schoolboy striker Ike Ugbo has given himself a good chance to start with his international record of three goals in five games (just as with Leya Iseka, 38 goal (at the time of writing) Tammy Abraham is a big miss for his team and the tournament itself.)

Like many teams, their aim before the tournament is just to get out of the group and qualify for the World Cup. Their form in qualification has been good despite the team’s flaws and the Championships are likely to display double Championship-winning coach John Peacock’s pragmatic side as he looks to assure progress. Consequently it is possible the side’s most talented technician, schoolboy Marcus Edwards, may not start, disappointing fans, but rather like France’s Ikone he would then be used from the bench to extract maximum impact from his time on the pitch.

 

[Nixon_The_Bike_Thief]

Is Cameron Humphries with the squad ? I know he was in the qualifying squad.

 

[sam-caddick]

Is Cameron Humphries with the squad ? I know he was in the qualifying squad.

No, considering we have had 5 players in the U17's in the last year none have gone to the tournament.

We had Humphries, Patching, Sadou Diallo, Nmecha and Edward Francis.

I don't know why they didn't go but I get the feeling the Algarve tournament in February may have played a part because we got beat 7-0 by Holland, drew 1-1 with Portugal and lost 2-0 to Germany.

 

[Deepest Blue]

Belgium have a Mangala playing for them. Any relation?

 

[headtheball]

None have been selected but Francis is still only 15 , he has two years left at school and starred for England U16 in their recent triumph at the Montaigu Tournament where they beat France 3-1 in the Final.

 

[headtheball]

Edward Francis has been selected for England U17 for tournament with Italy , Portugal and Turkey at the end of August , still only 15 , very cultured left footed centre half.