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Four Time Champions in one year- what next?
By Dylan Inglis
Representatives of England have won the Toulon Tournament, the European Under-19 Championship, the Under-17 World Cup as well as the Under-20 World Cup all in the calendar year 2017. Add to that list reaching the semi-final in the U21 Euros and finishing runners up to Spain at the Under-17 Euros. Even from a non-English perspective it’s fair to say the three lions have had an incredibly successful year at youth level.
However there is a great problem that often prevents these players from taking the next step in their career, way too often they’ll be shut out of senior teams and given next to zero chance of a run in the first team. Take the team that started the U20s World Cup final for example, only Calvert-Lewin of Everton has played over 10 Premier League matches. The players have shown they have the ability but now it’s up to the clubs to maybe give them a chance instead of spending millions on benchwarmers. Here I’ll take a few examples of players from these squads I feel should be rewarded for their achievements.
Dom Solanke
The obvious answer, the 20 year old fresh from a loan spell in the Netherlands left Chelsea at the end of his contract and moved to the red side of Liverpool having scored 28 goals in 58 games for England youth sides so far. The striker has played in 6 games out of 10 for Liverpool in the League this season so is certainly being given his chance. In those appearances Solanke hasn’t really done a whole lot to report on however when you compare his Eredivise stats from when he was a regular starter it conveys that his stats aren’t a million miles away from current Anfield number nine Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge. Solanke’s shot accuracy is only 1% short of his fellow Englishman however he is still 12% short of the starting striker Firmino’s. However regular game time will do him no harm and with the reds giving him that it wouldn’t surprise me if Solanke’s name appears in a senior England squad sometime soon.
John Swift
Another former blue, Reading’s 22 year old central midfielder was part of the under 21 squad who made it to the European Championship semi-finals. However it’s not just internationally Swift is impressing, compared to other central midfielders at the royals Leandro Bacuna, David Edwards and Liam Kelly. He has the best averages on goals scored, tackles won and successful take ons. Whilst also being very close to the top on chances created, key passes and pass completion. These are all essential skills to have in Swift’s position and if we take into account that the youngster is doing this in the second top division in England it proves the talent is there.
Matt Targett
Also part of the under-21s, the full back could be the latest star out of the impressive Southampton youth academy, especially if last season’s statistics are anything to go by. Whilst only playing 5 games Targett impressed defensively averaging 1.6 interceptions a game (the only Saints full back who done better was Ryan Bertrand with 1.68). However the most exciting reading showed that when compared to other full backs at the club last season, the youngster not only averaged the most tackles but committed the least fouls and made 0 defensive errors. It’s an uphill task for Targett though, to break into the team he has not only to prove he’s better than Champions League winner Ryan Bertrand but also 2016 Euro winning right back Cedric on the other side. However at 22 years old age is most definitely on his side so it is crucial Southampton stick by him and give him much needed game time.