My class of the 90s never had chance to win Euros
KIERON DYER says England have never previously succeeded at junior level – because the Three Lions have ignored the best talent.
The former Newcastle midfielder has paid tribute both to the World Cup-winning Under-20s and the U-21s, who this week reached the semi-finals of European Championship.
But he is convinced that his own class of the late 1990s could have scaled the same heights if they had been given the chance.
A succession of promotions to the seniors left coaches to field weakened teams at major tournaments.
Dyer, speaking at the Icons of Football event at the Belfry, said: “First of all, you have to say well done because to win an international tournament takes some doing.
“But to me it’s not so much of a surprise because we had some serious talent when I was playing.
“I was fortunate to play in the U-20 World Cup and, on paper, we had a strong team.
“The problem for us was that because we had broken through into first-team football and then international football so early – I’m talking about the likes of Michael Owen, Rio Ferdinand, Emile Heskey and Frank Lampard – we weren’t taking our strongest teams.
“There is a difference nowadays. How many of those players are regulars at their clubs in the Premier League?
“I made my full debut for England at the age of 20. Rio LEWIS BAKER has warned England don’t fear anyone as they prepare for a Euro semifinal showdown.
The Chelsea star says Aidy Boothroyd’s Young Lions are growing in confidence and are ready to “achieve something big”.
Baker, who spent the season on loan at Vitesse Arnhem, is now ready for the big guns.
England Under-21 are two games from emulating the U-20 s i de, who won t heir summer tournament, the World Cup.
England have not been to a Euro U-21 semi-final since 2009, when they lost in the final to Germany under Stuart Pearce.
Boothroyd’s men had a stuttering start drawing with Sweden and losing at half-time to Slovakia, before kicking into gear and winning two games.
Baker said: “We will have no fear, definitely. I think the pressure has come off us a little bit now because we got through the group stages.
“We’re all looking to achieve something big. We’ve all got belief in each other. It’s a team game and that’s helped us. I thought we were fantastic against Poland.”
Boothroyd wanted England to improve as the tournament progressed and that will be tested now they have moved for Ferdinand was 18, Michael Owen 18. We were all playing Premier League football, so largely bypassed the U-21 squad.
“The likes of Steven Gerrard, John Terry and Wayne Rooney were all in the Premier League and being considered for the seniors – if not playing – while in their early 20s.
“So we did have the players. But with all the money and all the foreigners nowadays, players are the final stages to Krakow. Baker added: “When you start playing more and more games the momentum starts building and the confidence builds, and we’ve started playing like we know we can. We proved that against Poland.”
Spain have put down a marker as the outstanding team so far, winning against Macedonia and Portugal in their first two games scoring eight goals.
Baker said: “We watched Spain. They’re a good team but we just focus on ourselves and what we can control. They’re playing in a different group and we have to focus on what we do.
Formation
“The win against Poland was a fantastic performance from the whole team and I was delighted to get on the scoresheet. The main thing was to get through the group stage and now we’re in t he semi-final.
“Whatever the manager thinks is the best formation is fine with us. But I like to do a bit of both defending and attacking, trying to get from box to box is what my game is all about.”
Baker believes the squad will not crumble under t he pressure.
“We’ve been in big games before, like at the Toulon Tournament last year, when we won that,” he added.
“We’re used to playing together in important matches so we’ll just take it in our stride.” finding it more difficult to force their way into the first team. It’s no coincidence that we are doing well at these young age groups because all the players are available.
“Jamie Carragher tweeted the other day saying that our England Under-21s would have beaten this current side had they all been available.
“I’m not going to disagree with him!”
KIERON DYER was speaking at the Icons of Football event taking place at the Belfry this weekend. A golf tournament for prestigious sporting greats. www.iconique.com