Carsley's high praise for England MU21s

England men’s under-21s boss Lee Carsley billed the Young Lions the most advanced group he's worked with as his players signed off March camp on a high.

Carsley, who has coached two U21 European Championship-winning sides, was pleased with his team’s professionalism in the wake of Tuesday’s 4-1 home win over Moldova in Norwich. 

“Where we are as a team and as a squad, we are ahead of any of the groups that we had before," he explained.

“It’s a very young squad. They don’t seem it, but I have to remind myself that these are 19, 20 and 21.

“The pressure that is then on them as well to perform and prepare properly, sometimes you forget that they are kids, so you have to give them that space as well.”

The Young Lions responded well to Friday’s 1-1 draw with Andorra, as goals from Archie Gray, Romain Esse and two from Ethan Nwaneri sent England three points clear at the top of Group D.

But reflecting on the game as a whole, the MU21s’ head coach was pleased with the overall reaction his team showed at Carrow Road.

“We spoke before the game about a reaction,” he said. "I think taking into consideration all the challenges we were up against in Andorra, to end up drawing the game was actually a really good result for us and something that will help us long-term.

“I have been doing this job long enough now to realise that the players have to go through a bit of adversity and have to be challenged to create a bit of resilience, especially as a squad.

“If they’re going to be senior internationals, they have to be able to go to places under travelling conditions and win the game or not get beaten, so the reaction we had was excellent.

“I really enjoyed watching the game. I think the crowd really helped as well; I thought they were really enthusiastic, and we knew Norwich would be a good crowd, so I’m really pleased with the lads."

The Young Lions’ boss also spoke about the personal performances of some of the individuals in the team and sent praise in the way of Arsenal pair Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri – who has been on loan with Marseille – in particular.

“He [Myles] stands himself now where he’s getting a lack of minutes at Arsenal, so it was perfect timing for him.

“We have been very lucky in the past with players who have played with the seniors early. You look at Lewis Hall, Tino Livramento, Rico [Lewis], they are brilliant examples, and it’s important that they want to play for the [under] 21s.

“I don’t have to pick them – it has to be mutual, and they feel like they can benefit and help the team. He did that tonight, and I thought he was excellent.

“I have seen Myles a lot in the age groups coming through. He and Ethan have got a really good chemistry together; they seem to be able to find each other in pockets, and he’s been very good on and off the pitch.”