The triumphant England Under-21s were hidden by the tickertape as they lifted the Euro 2025 trophy. Now they must ensure they do not disappear again.
As the blue and white confetti rained down from the Slovakian sky the Young Lions were wrapped up in their celebrations.
They deserved to be. Jonathan Rowe’s extra-time goal sealed successive European titles after Germany had fought back from 2-0 down in Bratislava.
For many it was their last chance with the Under-21s, but, with a World Cup next summer, they have the opportunity to force their way into Thomas Tuchel’s plans.
Here, we assess who might progress to the full squad in time for next year’s World Cup, and what the progress of those who went before them might tell us.
Who are the standouts to make the World Cup? So, with a World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico less than 12 months away, who can make the step up?
Of the Euro 2023 winners, James Trafford, Levi Colwill, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Noni Madueke and Curtis Jones were named in Tuchel’s squad for the games against Andorra and Senegal last month.
Will we see such a progression from the class of 25?
Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento is the obvious one to follow them after a good tournament and a fine season for the Magpies.
He has played on the right for England this summer but could fill the problematic left-back role for Tuchel.
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly started in the 3-1 defeat by Senegal and Livramento – given his senior debut against the Republic of Ireland by Carsley last season – will be a standout option next summer should his form continue.
He returned to the Under-21s this summer after discussions with Tuchel and Carsley, with the pair eager for the 22-year-old to use his experience to help lead the group.
Harvey Elliott had the big moments in Slovakia to be named player of the tournament – the opening goal in the final, two match-winning strikes in the semi-final, scoring against Spain and England’s opening goal of the tournament against the Czech Republic.
Those big moments amplify his talent and only strengthen his and Liverpool’s hand.
The attacker could leave Anfield this summer in search of regular football, after only two Premier League starts in Liverpool’s title success, which should push him closer to senior recognition.
Anfield team-mate Jarell Quansah will be expecting more top-level minutes at Bayer Leverkusen, once his impending move from Liverpool is confirmed, after struggling for game time for the champions this season, and, at 33, Dan Burn’s England career will not go on forever.
Manchester City’s James McAtee captained the U21s and excelled. But, like Elliott and Quansah, his future is uncertain with reports he could leave Etihad Stadium this summer.
This highlights one of the conundrums facing the Premier League’s academy products. Selling them on has become highly lucrative for clubs’ balance sheets, as they go down as pure profit in the accounts because little or no transfer fee was paid for them in the first place.
Will this affect their development, or will moves allow them to thrive like Palmer when he left Manchester City for Chelsea?
Who else could be in the reckoning?
Centre-back Charlie Cresswell impressed in Slovakia. The Toulouse defender was man of the match in the quarter-final win over Spain in Trnava.
It follows a debut season in France during which the former Leeds centre-back was linked with Serie A side Como.
Cresswell, son of former Preston and Sheffield United striker Richard, played 33 times as Toulouse finished 10th in Ligue 1 following last summer’s move from Elland Road, having made only six starts for his boyhood club.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, who has also played for Scotland Under-21s, was a machine in Slovakia having impressed at the City Ground.
The dynamic and combative 22-year-old is now too old for the Young Lions and a repeat of his first season at Forest will make him hard to ignore.
Much is also expected of Arsenal’s Ethan Nwaneri, although, at 18, he is the youngest in the group.
The attacker started against Slovenia and Germany in the group stage – off the back of 37 appearances for the Gunners last season – but has time to develop.
There are plenty of others to consider as well, with several missing from Carsley’s squad.
