England U19 Profiles (Players who have featured in the 2007-2008 season)
Goalkeepers
Ross Atkins – Derby County
DOB 3/11/89, Caps - 1
The Derby keeper has been called up to the squad to replace Simon Eastwood who withdrew through injury. Ross has yet to play for his country although he was on the bench for the U18s’ 2-0 defeat to France last season. Has starred for Derby’s U18s this season.
Jason Steele – Middlesbrough
DOB – 18/8/90, Caps – 11
Jason is a highly regarded goalkeeper who excels in most departments, particularly his distribution. After making his debut against China in April 2006, the Middlesbrough stopper played ten times at U17 level, including all five European Championship games. Went to the U17 World Cup in Korea this summer but didn’t play due to injury and Alex Smithies’ fine form.
Defenders
Ryan Bertrand – Chelsea (on loan at Oldham Athletic)
DOB – 5/8/90, Caps – 8
Ryan is an attacking left-back who made his debut against Denmark in January 2006 for the U17s. An admirer of Ashley Cole, the Chelsea defender joined League One outfit Oldham Athletic on loan, where he has played first-team football. Spent time on loan at Bournemouth last season.
Ciaran Clark – Aston Villa
DOB 26/9/89, Caps – 9
Despite being a Londoner by birth, Ciaran has been at Aston Villa since he was 13 years old. He made his debut in the U17’s 1-0 win over Turkey in December 2005. He has made nine appearances in total including both games at U18 level last season as well as the recent U19 win over Belarus.
Jack Cork – Chelsea (on loan at Scunthorpe)
DOB – 28/6/89, Caps – 13
The son of former Wimbledon legend Alan, Cork junior has made significant strides since his international debut, which came in March 2006 when the U16s played Japan. Happy to play anywhere in defence or anchoring the midfield, Jack is currently on loan at Championship side Scunthorpe.
Sam Hutchinson – Chelsea
DOB 3/8/89, Caps – 2
A right-back, Sam was outstanding when he made his international debut at a centre-half for the U18s against Holland. Excellent in the air but comfortable in possession, the Chelsea teenager doubled his tally of caps when he started in last month’s 4-0 win over Belarus at U19 level.
Joe Mattock – Leicester City
DOB 15/5/90, Caps – 21
The Leicester left-back has been virtually ever-present since making his England debut in the Victory Shield against Wales in October 2005. Has won a total of 21 caps – the most in the squad – despite being a year younger than most of his team-mates. Made his club debut in April when only 16.
Krystian Pearce, Birmingham City
DOB 5/5/90, Caps - 13
The imposing centre-half has been a revelation since making his England debut against Portugal U17 in October 2006. Strong, quick and excellent on the deck, Pearce was arguably England’s best player in the recent U17 World Cup – something which caught the eye of Head Coach Brian Eastick. Scored in that tournament against Syria.
Midfielders
Marc Albrighton - Aston Villa
DOB 18/11/89, Caps - 1
The Villa midfielder is one of the least experienced players in the England squad, having played just 27 minutes of international football before the start of this qualifying tournament. He made his debut for the U18s against Holland where he came on for James Henry. Was an unused sub against Belarus in September.
Jamie Chandler – Sunderland
DOB 18/3/89, Caps 19
One of the more senior players in the squad, Jamie has clocked up 19 caps since he first played for England back in March 2005 for the U16s against Spain. Played the full 90 minutes of the U19s’ recent victory over Belarus. A busy midfielder, Jamie wears the number 38 for Sunderland.
James Henry – Reading
DOB 10/6/89, Caps – 2
James is a football rarity in that he’s played for both England and Scotland. Indeed, he actually played against England at U16 level. Since switching to the Three Lions, the Reading winger has made two appearances, his debut coming in the U18s’ win over Holland last season. Impressed on his club debut against Liverpool in the League Cup at the end of September.
Lee Sawyer – Chelsea
DOB 10/9/89, Caps – 6
A central midfielder, Lee made his international debut against Scotland in the Victory Shield in November 2004. He showed an eye for goal in his last two games, scoring against Holland and Belarus. The first of those was something special – a 35 yard volley for the U18s at Yeovil.
Scott Sinclair – Chelsea
DOB 25/3/89, Caps – 9
Scott hit the headlines last season when, on loan at Plymouth from Chelsea, he scored two goals in The FA Cup, including one sublime solo effort. He carried on that scoring form for Chelsea in the League Cup recently against Hull. He made his international debut against Luxembourg in October 2005. A potential match-winner.
Joshua Wright – Charlton Athletic (on loan at Barnet)
DOB 6/11/89, Caps - 17
A creative midfielder, Josh made his international bow against Japan in March 2005, coming on as a late substitute in a 2-0 defeat. He has now made 17 appearances for his country in total. Signed on loan at Barnet and made his professional debut against Bradford City in League Two.
Forwards
Sone Aluko – Birmingham City (on loan at Aberdeen)
DOB 19/2/89, Caps – 13
A striker who can also drop into midfield, Sone made his England debut against Wales in the Victory Shield in October 2004. He made the Birmingham bench a year later when his club played at Highbury. Currently on loan at Aberdeen. Sister Eniola played for England at the Women’s World Cup in China.
Febian Brandy – Manchester United
DOB 4/2/89, Caps – 14
Febian has been involved with England since U16 level, when he made his debut against Northern Ireland in November 2004. The livewire striker with a low centre of gravity has saved his best international form for his last two games, scoring against Holland and Belarus.
Andy Carroll – Newcastle United (on loan at Preston North End)
DOB 6/1/89, Caps – 1
Andy has an enviable international record – one goal from one game, which came against Belarus in September. The tall striker made his Newcastle bow in November 2006 against Palermo in the UEFA Cup, becoming his club’s youngest ever European debutant. Currently on loan at Preston North End where he has played a handful of first-team matches.
Tope Obadeyi – Bolton Wanderers
DOB 29/10/89, Caps 3
Tope has taken almost two years to win his three international caps, although each has come at a different age group since he made his debut for the U17s against Turkey. Tope has an eye for goal, as shown when he netted against Belarus last month, while his goals helped Bolton win the Premiership Reserve Team North League last season.