Lee Carsley’s new generation can seize the narrative in Slovakia in the face of the Club World Cup hubbub
I
t summed up the lot of an England Under-21s manager when Liam Delap confirmed he would compete for his new club, Chelsea, this summer rather than join his international teammates in Slovakia. The Club World Cup has provided a fresh headache for Lee Carsley, a further example of the barrelling dominance with which elite club football overcomes its alternatives. Something special may be required over the next two and a half weeks if his team are going to make any impression on the public consciousness.
Fortunately, England and Carsley have a record of producing exactly that. They kick off their Uefa Under-21 Championship campaign as the title holders and, if anyone needs enthusing, a look back at their win against Spain in the final two years ago should have the right effect. James Trafford’s last‑minute penalty save in Batumi was a genuinely thrilling moment that broke 39 years of underachievement on this stage and did no harm to the careers of a squad packed with recognisable names.
This time Carsley accepts he must “be creative with our team selection”, although in truth it was ever thus given the varying demands of clubs and senior call-ups. Jobe Bellingham’s move to Borussia Dortmund could mean a further key player ups sticks for Gianni Infantino’s pet project. Jamie Gittens and Rico Lewis are among others who will be turning their attention to the US, while Adam Wharton and Jaden Philogene are recovering from injuries and will not be available. At least James McAtee has opted to join the national team.
