Published 14 June 2023 4 min read
Men's U21
England MU21s boss Lee Carsley asks: 'Why can't we win it?'
England MU21s boss has confidence in his squad for this summer's UEFA U21 EURO Finals
ENGLAND MU21s: SEE THE SQUAD
Young Lions head coach Lee Carsley says he’s quietly confident about England’s chances at this summer’s UEFA U21 EURO Finals.
After naming his squad for the tournament in Georgia and Romania on Wednesday morning, Carsley and his players got back to work as they make their final preparations for next Thursday’s opening game against Czech Republic.
And the head coach is happy with the 23-strong group he has at his disposal for the Finals.
"We feel quite confident about the squad,” said Carsley.
"We tried to pick as many players who have been playing, particularly towards the end of the season and we've got plenty of players who have been and there's plenty of caps in there.
After naming his squad for the tournament in Georgia and Romania on Wednesday morning, Carsley and his players got back to work as they make their final preparations for next Thursday’s opening game against Czech Republic.
And the head coach is happy with the 23-strong group he has at his disposal for the Finals.
"We feel quite confident about the squad,” said Carsley.
"We tried to pick as many players who have been playing, particularly towards the end of the season and we've got plenty of players who have been and there's plenty of caps in there.
"Stats would tell you from past U21 tournaments that we haven't won it since 1984 and we're rated sixth or eighth in the coefficient rankings, so to win it we're going to have to perform above where our ratings are at the minute.
"I'm confident in the group, I feel like we're in a good position and we're going to go out there and really attack every team and I'm confident we can do well.”
Carsley had been working with an extended squad earlier this month as the group enjoyed a training camp at St. George’s Park before playing a final warm-up match against Japan last weekend.
And the former Coventry City, Derby County and Everton player admits it wasn’t easy when it came to whittling down to his final 23 players.
"It's been tough,” he said. “But I've had conversations with them all.
"I'm confident in the group, I feel like we're in a good position and we're going to go out there and really attack every team and I'm confident we can do well.”
Carsley had been working with an extended squad earlier this month as the group enjoyed a training camp at St. George’s Park before playing a final warm-up match against Japan last weekend.
And the former Coventry City, Derby County and Everton player admits it wasn’t easy when it came to whittling down to his final 23 players.
"It's been tough,” he said. “But I've had conversations with them all.
14 Jun 2023
11:40
Inside Training: MU21s keepers
Watch the Young Lions' goalkeeping quartet in training ahead of the U21 EURO
“For players like Rico Lewis and Lewis Hall, they are both young players and with what they've been through this season, I don't think it does any harm for them to have a rest over the summer.
“I fully expect them to both be a part of the U21s next season.
"We've got a lot of individual stories throughout the squad who have done well this season, but they now need to transfer that to an international setting.
“A lot of these players won't be able to play for the MU21s again, so I've pushed this again to them - this time we have now we won't be getting back, so it's important we enjoy this challenge and why can't we win it?
"After that, no-one will see it as bowing out because the pathway is there, if you're performing well in the Premier League then you've got a really good chance of being involved in Gareth's thoughts.”
England will be based in Kobuleti in Georgia and will begin their group stage against Czech Republic on Thursday 22 June (5pm BST), before taking on Israel on Sunday 25 June (5pm BST). Their final group match against Germany will be on Wednesday 28 June (5pm BST)
“I fully expect them to both be a part of the U21s next season.
"We've got a lot of individual stories throughout the squad who have done well this season, but they now need to transfer that to an international setting.
“A lot of these players won't be able to play for the MU21s again, so I've pushed this again to them - this time we have now we won't be getting back, so it's important we enjoy this challenge and why can't we win it?
"After that, no-one will see it as bowing out because the pathway is there, if you're performing well in the Premier League then you've got a really good chance of being involved in Gareth's thoughts.”
England will be based in Kobuleti in Georgia and will begin their group stage against Czech Republic on Thursday 22 June (5pm BST), before taking on Israel on Sunday 25 June (5pm BST). Their final group match against Germany will be on Wednesday 28 June (5pm BST)
