Bell a big hit MASON IS STILL GREEN
But Aidy says he can help him grow
for this summer’s Euros. The brilliant young Borussia Dortmund midfielder, who has set the Bundesliga alight this season with his displays, was left out of the England squad for the European Under-21 Championship, which was named last night.
Southgate wants him to stay with the senior team for the World Cup qualifying games against San Marino, Albania and Poland, which start next week.
There were doubts whether Bellingham, 17, would be able to leave Germany at all due to coronavirus issues.
But Under-21s coach Aidy Boothroyd said: “Jude will not be with us but it is likely he’ll be with the seniors.”
Bellingham joined Dortmund in July 2020 from Birmingham in a £25m deal that made him the world’s most expensive teenager.
He was first called up to the senior squad by Southgate in November, making his debut as a substitute in the home 3-0 friendly win against Republic of Ireland.
At 17 years 136 days, Bellingham became England’s thirdyoungest international behind Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka was also not in the Under-21 squad, and was expected to be called up by Southgate, but picked up a hamstring injury in the 2-1 win over Spurs on Sunday and could now miss out.
West Brom keeper Sam Johnstone (below) is also on standby for a potential call-up.
Southgate is waiting on news of Everton’s Jordan Pickford, who needs a scan after picking up a rib injury.
If Pickford does not make it, Johnstone, 27, is next in line for his first senior call-up.
Nick Pope would be favourite to start, while Dean Henderson is the next choice.
But Johnstone’s good form for the
Baggies has put him ahead of both
Aaron Ramsdale and Karl Darlow.
MASON GREENWOOD is facing Euro heartbreak with England’s seniors after being named in the Under-21 squad instead. The Manchester United striker will return to international duty for the first time since his Iceland meltdown.
But it will be with Aidy Boothroyd’s squad for this month’s Under-21 European Championship group games in Slovenia. Greenwood, 19, was axed by boss Gareth Southgate in September along with Phil Foden after being caught smuggling women into the team hotel in Reykjavik – and has been exiled ever since. The knockout phase of the Under-21 tournament takes place in late May through to early June and his inclusion in Boothroyd’s squad is a clear sign he will not be considered for the senior side in the summer.
Boothroyd said: “Has he got something to prove? Every time he gets on the pitch there is an expectation of him, because he’s a very good young player.
“But he is young, he needs guidance and help. I’ll speak to him to see how he is and see how we can get the most out of him.
“We’re talking about a player here who is nowhere near his potential. But he’s growing up, he’s learning about himself.
We’re looking forward to seeing what he can do on the big stage.
“We felt that Mason is going to be a key player in the future and we wanted to get him into this tournament and know what it’s like to be at a tournament.
“We treat every player as an individual and we think very carefully when and where we pick them.
“Clearly in Mason’s situation, it was right that he wasn’t right to play for his country and to stay where he was.
“That period of time has done him the world of good. It is a line in the sand but until he gets on the pitch and shows what he’s all about we’re going to be asked questions about him.
“We move on and create some better memories with England. We all make mistakes, especially when you’re a young person.
“I’m not going to go on about it forever. I don’t think there will be any issues in getting Mason integrated back with us.
“As soon as he gets through the door, he’ll become one of us again and we’ll start working towards our first game.”
Greenwood has four goals in 37 appearances for United this season and team-mate Scott Mctominay has ordered him to keep up the impressive levels he showed in Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham.
He said: “Mason was brilliant and that’s got to be the standard now every single game.”