The Netherlands v England
Under-21 International Match
6.30pm (BST), Tuesday 11 August 2009
Euroborg Stadium, Groningen
Just 37 days after their 2009 UEFA European Championship campaign ended against Germany in the Final in Sweden, Head Coach Stuart Pearce has named his first England Under-21s squad of the new season to face the Netherlands in a friendly next Tuesday, 11 August 2009.
Five players earn their first call-ups to Pearce’s squad for the match at the Euroborg Stadium in Groningen as a new crop of young internationals take their steps towards being involved in the 2011 Championship campaign, which begins with a qualifier in Macedonia next month.
Chris Smalling, Andy Carroll, Freddie Sears, Junior Stanislas and Daniel Sturridge will all be involved for the first time at Under-21 level.
“It’s very early in the calendar but this is a fantastic double-header for the Under-21s and then the seniors," said Pearce, who was last with the Under-21s in Holland for the 2007 European Championship Finals.
“We’re taking a few players that have had the experience of a summer tournament, that will stand us in good stead, but we have one or two new faces coming into the squad that will have to get their feet under the table very quickly.
“We’ve not taken an easy game and there is a reasoning behind that. Our last few games will then have included Holland, Germany, Sweden, Spain and France prior to that over the months – so we have played all the blue chip European countries.”
For those players who will be new to Pearce and his team, there’s also no denying the opportunity that lies ahead for them.
“We’re one step away from a senior international cap and that’s there for all to see. Over the last period there have been seven or eight players that have been in both squads, which is fantastic. It shows these players that they have every opportunity,” added Pearce.
Before next week's game the Under-21s will also be paying their respects to Sir Bobby Robson, observing a minute’s silence as well as wearing black armbands.
“Bobby was loved by everybody. You don’t have to be one of the players who worked with him; I was just fortunate enough that he gave me my first international," added Pearce, who played for England under Sir Bobby.
“I think it is fitting that we remember Bobby and what he has done for this country. I can’t name anybody in football in this country who is held in the same esteem as this man. Our thoughts are with his family at this moment in time.”
The Squad in full
Player's Name |
DOB |
Club |
Caps |
Goals |
GOALKEEPERS |
|
|
|
|
Frankie Fielding |
04/04/1988 |
Blackburn Rovers |
1 |
0 |
Scott Loach |
27/05/1988 |
Watford |
5 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
DEFENDERS |
|
|
|
|
Ryan Bertrand |
05/08/1989 |
Reading (loan from Chelsea) |
1 |
0 |
Kieran Gibbs |
26/09/1989 |
Arsenal |
8 |
2 |
Michael Mancienne |
08/01/1988 |
Chelsea |
14 |
1 |
Kyle Naughton |
11/11/1988 |
Tottenham Hotspur |
2 |
0 |
Micah Richards |
24/06/1988 |
Manchester City |
9 |
2 |
James Tomkins |
23/09/1989 |
West Ham United |
3 |
0 |
Chris Smalling |
22/11/1989 |
Fulham |
0 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
MIDFIELDERS |
|
|
|
|
Lee Cattermole |
21/03/1988 |
Wigan Athletic |
13 |
2 |
Fabien Delph |
21/11/1989 |
Aston Villa |
1 |
0 |
Fabrice Muamba |
06/04/1988 |
Bolton Wanderers |
19 |
0 |
Jack Rodwell |
11/03/1991 |
Everton |
6 |
2 |
Danny Rose |
02/06/1990 |
Tottenham Hotspur |
2 |
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
FORWARDS |
|
|
|
|
Andy Carroll |
06/01/1989 |
Newcastle United |
0 |
0 |
Freddie Sears |
27/11/1989 |
Crystal Palace (loan from West Ham) |
0 |
0 |
Junior Stanislas |
26/11/1989 |
West Ham United |
0 |
0 |
Daniel Sturridge |
01/09/1989 |
Chelsea |
0 |
0 |
James Vaughan |
14/07/1988 |
Everton |
2 |
0 |
Stats correct up to and including England v Germany, 29 June 2009