What they'd done at club level is irrelevant. If they'd not made the senior National side then the U21's was still a progression opportunity for them. I was referring to lads who'd made the senior side and were regulars in it. To them the U21's offers nothing in terms of development.
In terms of technical development - you're right. But in terms of building a team that is designed to play together for the next 5-7 years, it's very important.
Unless you've got a group of exceptional youngsters that's never going to happen at International level though. They come into and out of form, and their stars rise and fade rapidly between the ages of 17-21. Getting a group to play together from an early age and come through the ranks is an obvious goal, but it's hard enough to do at club level, let alone on a National basis.
If they are already in the seniors the work to integrate them for said 5-7 years is already done!!!!! The argument that half the England senior team should have gone to play a euros nobody actually gives a toss about is spurious... next summer is the real comp so to use them this summer only tires them for the real deal!!! I refuse to countenance the thought that if only Gareth failed Southgate had 3 or 4 more lads he'd not fail. He ****ed up the first game, scraped a late one in game 2 and flopped in game 3
Its true that it was unlikely to make a difference to this u21s. With those 3 or 4 extra (better) players England may not have won the thing but its likely they would have at least made it out of the group stages. Its not just about winning a 'euros nobody actually gives a toss about', its about tournament experience ie how to win a short form competition with very little gaps between games, being away from home for a extended period and all the other stuff that comes with it. Senior England teams have failed to deal with this because they don't have the experience of this. You are right its probably too late for those who were left at home in preference for the senior team this time round, but in future it would be great for young English players not to be rushed into the senior team and for them to play u21s until they reach the age limit (or close to it). I'd also agree that Southgate is **** and just a FA yes man
And my view 10 years ago was we did rush lads on with a cap or two as flavor of the month type efforts then never let them back to u21s But today my view is England have little option but accelerate players on as we really don't have good options. 10 years ago we had quite a few players. These days England's cupboard is bare... Maybe in 10 years time it will be different due to hg rules
Portugal are tonking Germany right now. 5-0 and now a German sent off. Llori is playing for Portugal and can is trying to play for Germany. Bernardo silva is running the show.. plays for monaco One to watch for
Benfica sold him for 15m euros in January to Monaco. Not like them to undersell a player, so it'll be interesting to see how he develops.
The German midfield were shocking, I expected a much better performance than that. Denmark are now doing their best to give the game to Sweden.
Roy Keane seems to be a big fan of Carvalho. Roy Keane hates everyone and thinks that every player apart from himself and Scholes is ****e so that's high praise.
Carvalho is a very talented - had a poor season though which could indicate potential attitude problems, as I think he has his heart set on moving. Would still take him though but £25m is a lot...
no its not really. I think that would be an absolute steal. 25mil these days with respect is average fee. this is the prem and the clubs are awash with cash. 25mil for one of europes top young talents is an absolute steal. We must remember real are posturing over ramos at 60 mil. pogba has appreciated to 70mil.
Actually, I didn't realise he was 23! £25m is decent in that case - I thought he was still only 21 and would have wanted him to have a few more years under the belt. I would definitely take him because he is a quality player. Other DM's - Kondogbia, Diego Reyes, Bender. Shame we will never go for one.
