England look to deliver again with youth team
It isn’t just about the games. It’s also about what is going around it. These are still young boys. These tournaments are like experiences which will develop these boys into the people they want to be STEVE COOPER, about the World Cup and what it means for players
MUMBAI: It has been a glorious year for England’ s junior squads. The under-20s won the World Cup, u nd er-19s were victorious in the European Championship, under-17s were runners-up at the Euro and the under-21s made it to the Euro semis.
Such has been their run, the under-17s have been placed among favourites for the Fifa U-17 World Cup that will kick-off on October 6. Their previous best in this age group was quarter final appearances in the 2007 and 2011 editions.
But it won’t be a walk in the park for the Three Lions, who are placed in Group F with South American runner-up Chile, CONCACAF champions Mexico and Asian champions Iraq.
Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho, who hasn’ t arrived with the squad, Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster, Manchester United’s Angel Gomes and Manchester City’s Phil Foden are some of the players who will shoulder England’s hopes.
Win ger Sancho was the Player of the Tournament in Under-17 Euro, forward Brewster has been praised byJu er gen Klopp, midfielder Go mesh as been tipped by Jose M our in ho for greater things while Foden has already caught the eye of Pep Guardiola.
England’s under-17 coach Steve Cooper feels the perfect summer has raised the profile of talented junior players, and the clubs are taking note.
ACADEMIES KEY
“Academies are doing an out- standing job producing quality players in England and we are working in a good way as well promoting the development of youth players. This summer has raised the profile of talent in England and I think it hasn’ t gone unnoticed,” said Cooper, whose young troops landed in Mumbai on Friday for their preparatory camp.
“The most important thing of youth development is players getting opportunities at senior level, but I think everybody wants that. The players are given the opportunity but they should take them as well,” said Cooper.
England will face New Zealand in a warm-up match on Sunday at the Andheri Sports Complex and then proceed to Kolkata on October 3, where they will be based.
Cooper said these tournaments are more than just about winning.
“It isn’t just about the games. It’s also about what is going around it. These are still young boys. These tournaments are like experiences which will help develop these boys into the people they want to be.”