England squad for U21 Euros named including Arsenal and Liverpool stars
Lee Carsley has announced his England squad for the upcoming Euro U21 championships, with Arsenal's Emile Smith Rowe and Chelsea's Noni Madueke both named.
The tournament finals take place in Georgia and Romania, with the Three Lions' first match taking place on June 22 against Czech Republic with further matches against Israel and Germany. Chelsea's Levi Colwill has also been included in the squad, despite the in-demand centre-back training with the senior squad at St George's Park this week.
Also in the squad are Liverpool duo Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones, along with Newcastle's Anthony Gordon, Aston Villa's Jacob Ramset and Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White as England enter the competition as one of the favourites to win.
In 2021, England finished bottom of their group, resulting in a disappointing early exit, with former Birmingham City player Carsley appointed afterwards, since qualifying for this tournament.
Man City treble winner Rico Lewis has been omitted from the squad, with his City teammate Cole Palmer included as part of a high-calibre line-up of attacking talent. Meanwhile, young City goalkeeper James Trafford has been included following his good season on loan with Bolton.
Mikel Arteta's dream Arsenal line up as last-gasp January transfers are securedOther big names include Norwich full-back Max Aarons and Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, with the latter having been a regular starter on loan at PSV in the Eredivisie this season.
The team will travel to their training base in Kobuleti, Georgia later this week following a warm-up defeat to Japan's U21 team at St George's Park last weekend.
Carsley is reported to be leaving the job after the tournament and, with a squad capable of winning, he will be hopeful of a positive showing. Both Frank Lampard and Scott Parker have been linked to be taking over from the former Republic of Ireland international, although a strong showing at this tournament will set him up well to remain in the post.
England's U21 side have not won the tournament since 1984, with an exciting generation now coming through with the hope of emulating recent successes of other England age-groups at international level.
Here is the squad which has been named for the tournament.
England U21 squad
Goalkeepers: Josh Griffiths (West Bromwich Albion), Carl Rushworth (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Trafford (Manchester City )
Defenders: Max Aarons (Norwich City), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Levi Colwill (Chelsea), Charlie Cresswell (Leeds United), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Manchester City), Ben Johnson (West Ham United), Luke Thomas ( Leicester City)
Midfielders: Tommy Doyle (Manchester City), Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), James Garner (Everton), Angel Gomes (Lille), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa), Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur)
Forwards: Cameron Archer (Aston Villa), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Cole Palmer (Manchester City) Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)