England U21’s Preview

Its back to International football this week, as England full team set their sights on Ukraine and Belarus. However the England U21’s kick off the week ahead as they take on Macedonia U21’s at the Ricoh Arena. The kick off is 8.00 pm tonight as the game is part of England’s U21’s European Championship qualification. If you are interested in going to the game prices is £10 for Adults and £5 for Juniors. Their will be a number of future England stars on show including the likes of Micah Richards and Jack Wilshere.

Players To Watch – England
Scott Loach – As Joe Hart has moved onto the Men’s Senior Team, Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach has his heart set on being the new U21’s number one. Loach has already played seven times for England at under 21 level, and he got his breakthrough at the European Championships this year. However he had a howler of a game against Germany in the final. If you put that behind him, he is a great prospect for England and maybe he can follow in the footsteps of Joe Hart in the next couple of years.

Michael Mancienne – Mancienne has been a regular for the England U21’s in the last year or so. He is a strong centre back who has a bag full of talent. Michael Mancienne is a Chelsea graduate, who was voted their young player of the year last season. The Centre Back is currently enjoying his second loan spell with Premiership outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers. In the England set-up Mancienne is surely one of the best defenders which will come through the England set-up. In the next couple of years he can only get better, and if selected for the England senior team he defiantly can fill Rio Ferdinand’s boots with ease.

Kyle Naughton – Kyle Naughton is a very good player, and from what I have seen of him, he will be defiantly being England’s first choice left back one day. Naughton has been capped five times for the England U21’s, however the problem for Naughton is he, will have to pass the likes of Glen Johnson and fellow England U21 player Micah Richards for the Right-Back spot. Kyle Naughton though can defend and he can attack, from what I have seen of him with his short start to his Spurs career, he isn’t scared to take on some of the best players in the world and also tackle them for that matter. Naughton is a great prospect and is a one to watch for England tonight if played.

Jack Rodwell – This youngster has cemented his place in the England U21’s and rightfully so. He is only eighteen years of age and is one of the youngest in the squad. Rodwell can play in the defence midfield position or in the centre of the midfield; he has also played nine times for the Under 21’s and has scored two goals. Jack Rodwell has also been impressive for Everton as he made his breakthrough for them last season. Funny enough he has been a regular for the toffees in 09/10, and has fitted in quite well alongside Phil Neville in the centre of midfield. Rodwell is a future England star, and maybe he can play a Paul Scholes role, in the midfield for the England senior team.

Junior Stanislas – For me Stanislas has been one of the best young talents in the Premier League this season. Stanislas however has only played two times for the England u21’s but hopefully he can play many more in the years to come. He has played quite a few games after coming back from his loan spell with Southend United last season. He has already scored three goals for the Hammers on of which came against Millwall in that heated affair. Anyway Junior Stanislas can play on the left-wing, as an attacking midfielder or as a Striker for club and country. Stanislas is an impressive youngster who will surely be in the England world cup team in 2014 or 2018.

Danny Welbeck – Welbeck is only eighteen years of age and he is already starting games for Manchester United. Welbeck without a doubt will be an England senior player in years to come, however he has to shine at Under 21 level first. He has only played three times for England at this level and he hasn’t scored a goal yet. Welbeck though has got speed and strength and a rocket shot. Welbeck will surely be given another chance tonight to show what he is capable of. However at the minute their are many strikers out there who deserve an England U21 call-up.

Zavon Hines – Hopefully tonight Zavon Hines will get his first England cap for the Under 21’s. Hines has plenty of promise and all he needs now is to get off to a perfect start if played tonight. He is another West Ham youth player like Stanislas, however Hines is an out to out striker. He has played five times for West Ham and his pace is known to cause defence problems. He caused all sorts of problems for Jamie Carragher when West Ham played Liverpool earlier this season. Overall Zavon Hines has the pace to cause defence problems so Macedonia has to keep their eye on him tonight.

Full England Under 21 squad
Goalkeepers – Scott Loach, Frank Fielding, Alex McCarthy

Defenders – Michael Mancienne, Kieran Gibbs, Micah Richards, James Tomkins, Kyle Naughton, Ryan Bertrand, Chris Smalling

Midfielders – Fabrice Muamba, Jack Rodwell, Danny Rose, Jack Wilshere, Jack Cork, Tom Cleverley, Junior Stanislas

Strikers – Theo Walcott, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, Andy Carroll, Zavon Hines