The look of champions
How Pickford helped U21s find a voice
ENGLAND appeared on the brink of failure seven days ago after a dispiriting start to Euro 2017. Now they look like potential champions.
It has been eight years since the Under 21s reached the last four of this tournament but manager Aidy Boothroyd has seen his squad hit form at the perfect time and they are playing with swagger, spirit and skill. It is a far cry from their shuffling first steps in the draw against Sweden here in Poland.
But how have they turned it around? The Mail on Sunday assesses the transformation and examines whether they have what it takes to conquer Europe at this level for the first time since 1984.
THE SAVE
IF a team is to win a major championship there will come a poi nt when everything changes. England’s turning point was when goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved an 81st-minute penalty against Sweden in their first game.
Had he failed to keep out Linus Wahlqvist’s spot-kick, England would have been left with an uphill battle to reach the knockout rounds, but the jolt seemed to focus minds and a number of players have grown, including Leicester defender Ben Chilwell.
‘ We t ook heart f r om not l osing,’ said Chilwell. ‘ The feeling in the dressing room after the Sweden game was mixed, we were relieved we didn’t lose but we knew we could play better. We were by no means happy with the result but we were confident we could improve.’
THE ROW
PICKFORD’S intervention was huge but so too was the frank exchange of views that took place at half-time during the second game against Slovakia. Trailing 1-0 and bereft of confidence, things had to change.
So while Boothroyd was remonstrating with the fourth official about Slovakia’ s forceful approach, a number of players stepped up and spoke their mind. Swansea defender Alfie Mawson was to the fore, as was Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah. It was made clear standards had to improve. ‘We’re all men and we all have respect for each other,’ said Chalobah. ‘When incidents like that happen, nobody takes it personally. Everyone gets on with it.’ Boothroyd’s role in restoring order must also be noted. Cooling things down and introducing Jacob Murphy for right-back Mason Holgate was the catalyst for England to win 2-1.
THE PSYCHOLOGIST
REBECCA SYMES, who runs the Sporting Success clinic, was appointed by the FA in the build-up to the tournament as a ‘ People and Team Development Coach’. She works with players, coaches and staff to help create what the FA call ‘a high performance culture in a team environment’. ‘She is a vibrant, positive soul,’ said Mawson. ‘Rebecca wants to pass on positivity which is what we need. The little details, the percentages add up. Some of the lads have had chats with her.’
THE BOND
IT often gets said that it is impossible to create a club-style atmosphere in a national camp but t his group have endeavoured, starting with the fact they remain in constant contact through a WhatsApp group when they are not on international duty.
You can see the togetherness that has been forged when they celebrate. Before heading to Poland, they had a night in Nando’s and the guilty pleasure they watch on TV is ‘Love Island’.
What’s more, the manager has even done his bit to help with the atmosphere. He bought a pair of two-tone brogues from TK Maxx before the tournament and he insists there was a method to his sartorial madness.
‘I knew there would be a little bit of stress and pressure so I thought I’d buy a pair of shoes that might be a talking point and take some of the heat off them!’ he said. ‘Nathan Redmond looked at them and said: “strange shoes, boss”!’
THE TALENT
ENGLAND are in the final four because they have excellent players desperate to show there is young talent flourishing in the country.
They won the Toulon Tournament last year and, with many not eligible to play for the U21s after they return home, they are eager to go out on a high.
‘The pressure has come off us a little bit now because we got through the group stages and into these mi-finals ,’ said Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker, who scored the final goal in the 3-0 win over Poland. ‘We’re all looking to achieve something big.’