Young Lions Lowdown – England at the Under-17 World Cup 2011

by Christopher Powlay

With the free for all that ensued the defeat of Stuart Pearce’s men in the Under-21 European Championships, it was easy to miss the press releases regarding a group of younger players who had already outdone their England U21 counterparts in a Euro championship. (Defeat to the eventual winners Holland in the U17 Euro semi final).

There was no media circus regarding the inclusion, exclusion, or possible ‘death through overplaying’ of an Arsenal wonder kid. There was no hyperbole regarding a coach who had ‘chest-thumping passion’ but nothing tactical in his locker. No £20m midfielder, no £8m Championship striker and no £17m barely tested centre back to drool over.

To people largely unfamiliar with youth football the list was basically greeted with a giant ‘WHO?’

Between beating Spain 2-1 on May 30th 2010 (the date England won their first ever European title) and losing the quarter final of the U17 World Cup against Germany on the 4th July 2011 the England U17 side had P25, W15, D6, L4. A remarkable victory over the much fancied Spanish in a winner takes all Elite qualifying game saw England qualify for the Euros. Had they not won the World Cup dream would have remained just that. But a 2-1 victory (the winner being scored by a player from the club I follow, Adam Jackson – Middlesbrough FC) saw England qualify for the FIFA 2011 U17 World Cup in Mexico.

Fast forward a couple of months after the Wilshere debacle and the failings of England’s U21s and a very talented bunch of players gathered in Mexico to represent their country at a World Cup.

England in Mexico

In the group stage, comfortable victory over a tricky Rwanda side (thanks to a Raheem Sterling wonder goal) was followed up with England facing Canada in a game that will be remembered by many for a goal scored in open play by the Canadian goalkeeper, rather than a superb strike from West Ham’s Blair Turgott. In the final group game England beat a much fancied Uruguay 2-0, pitting them against long time rivals Argentina.

25 years and 8 days before the U17 Quarter final, a different quarter final took place. Just Football readers of a certain age like myself may be old enough to remember it. This time however there was no hand of God, no God-like weaving run resulting in a goal either. But there was a shed load of rain making the game difficult for both sides.

The conditions proved too much for both goal keepers. Argentina took the lead after Sunderland’s Jordan Pickford spilled a low shot, but England hit back just before half time when Sterling drove from 25 yards to slide the ball into the corner to equalise. England are not England if at some point they do not go to penalties though, and Pickford went from zero to hero in the blink of an eye making two good saves in the shoot out to send England through.

The quarter finals brought another age old enemy as opposition. Before the game Germany were one of only three sides to have beaten England in the last 24 games (a 3-1 friendly victory). Every bit as efficient as the stereotype, Germany controlled the game and took the lead when England’s star defender Nathaniel Chalobah was caught flat-footed, allowing the massively impressive Samed Yesil to break clear. Pickford saved on the edge of his box (maybe even outside of it) and the ball fell kindly to the German forward, who placed the ball in to the left corner. From there Germany turned on cruise control. Yesil was the star of the first half, a very neat turn on the edge of the box saw him hit the post with Pickford struggling.

The lead doubled when a corner was only partially cleared and Ayham redirected the rebound past the England keeper. The Germans’ third had a little tinge of bad luck about it. An England corner saw Chalobah perform a technically brilliant overhead kick, the shot was saved and from that Germany broke down the other end of the field ending with Yesil tapping in from 6 yards.

England may not have been the most technically gifted players on show in Mexico but they use what attributes they have quite well, and as expected did not roll over and allow their bellies to be tickled. They dug in and looked for what would seem like a consolation goal, which they got from the penalty spot. As England then started to pressurise the German backline cracks appeared. All of a sudden it was 3-2! But time ran out and as per usual in international competitions, the Germans defeated the English.

Failure right?

WRONG!

England have plenty of positives to take away from this summer. Players had the opportunity to play in two international competitions and gain experience that will stand them in good stead as their professional careers hopefully progress. Previous experience says some will probably fall into the non-leagues (Former U17 World cup squad member and one time Middlesbrough player Nathan Porritt currently plays Northern League football), but plenty of players look to have solid futures ahead of them. And below are my pick of the bunch:

Nick Powell – Crewe Alexandra.

Another name off the already famous Dario Gradi/Crewe production line, Powell has made 18 first team appearances in League Two. A midfielder who is composed on the ball and likes to get forward. Apparently linked with Arsenal.

Nathaniel Chalobah – Chelsea

A member of the 2010 U17 European Championship winning side, and with 34 caps could really be called a veteran at U17 level. A year younger than most of the players in the squad (technically eligible for next year’s European U17 Championships in Slovenia should England qualify) but you would never tell from his appearance and ability.

Raheem Sterling – Liverpool

Probably the most talked about player in the squad, like Chalobah a year younger than most of the group but relied on during the competition to be one of the main attacking threats of the ‘three lions.’ Right footed winger with an eye for goal but used on the left so he could cut inside. Clearly talented but as he meets physically bigger players will need to add another side to his game than just cutting inside.

Christopher Powlay is a new contributor to Just Football specialising in youth football. A Middlesbrough youth and reserve follower and researcher for Football Manager, find him on Twitter @Boroyouths.

England, Nathaniel Chalobah, Raheem Sterling, Under-17 World Cup, Youth Football