It’s bright for Mumba & Embleton

The future looks bright for English football, and two of Sunderland’s youngsters could soon be at the heart of it.

Elliot Embleton,19, and Bali Mumba,16, have been catching the eye on the international stage, and both played a part for England’s youth teams earlier this week.

Embleton, who is currently on loan at League Two side Grimsby Town, scored the second goal for England’s Under-20s on Thursday, as Paul Simpson’s side overcame Switzerland 2-0 at St. George’s Park.

Sunderland manager Jack Ross has been keeping a close eye on the midfielder, who has consistently represented the Three Lions’ youth teams in recent years.

Mumba, who has stepped into Sunderland’s first team this season, will hope to do the same.

The teenager earned his first call-up for England’s under-18 side, and won his maiden cap after coming off the bench in a 3-0 win over the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Both Embleton and Mumba will hope to play again when their national sides face the Netherlands and France respectively in the coming days.

Meanwhile, England manager Gareth Southgate knows his young squad have come a long way since paper aeroplanes were thrown onto the Wembley pitch - but warned the World Cup semi-finalists must continue to improve.

Southgate’s side face Spain in their opening UEFA Nations League clash on Saturday night before taking on Switzerland at Leicester’s King Power Stadium in a friendly next week.

The Three Lions’ run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia united the nation earlier this summer, restoring public affection after several tournaments of disappointment.

Southgate, though, believes it is the time to look forward and move on from the defeat to Croatia in Moscow.

“Nnow it is about developing the team and improvement, looking at how we play, the tactical detail and testing ourselves against some really top teams,” he said.”