Spain U21 v England U21
Estadio Municipal et Val, Alcalá de Henares
16 November 2004, 8.00pm (local)

New England Under-21 call-up Ben Watson says that being picked among the elite young talents in English football is a dream come true.

Ben will get his first taste of life with England ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Spain and he believes that his stunning performance against Arsenal last week might have been what tipped the balance in his favour.

“It was a great performance for the team as a whole and I think I did well personally,” he explains. “To play against someone like Patrick Vieira, who for me is the best in the world in his position, was a great experience. I grew up supporting Arsenal, so it was really memorable.”

For Watson, proving himself against such luminaries as Henry, Pires and Vieira is another step along the road to Premiership progress.

“I’ve improved a lot this year,” he says. “I’ve had to. There are still elements of my game that I need to work on – I’d like to score goals – but I can already say that the Premiership’s improved me as a player.”

Now he meets up with Peter Taylor and his exciting young squad. Watson is looking forward to meeting up with the likes of Downing, Milner, Cole and Bent.

“These are the best players of their age in the country,” he states. “It’s a dream to be able to meet up with them and the rest of the lads. I’m looking forward to it.”

Here’s a look at the squad:

Player

Club

DOB

Caps

Goals

Lee Camp

Derby County

22 Aug 84

0

0

Scott Carson

Leeds United

 03 Sep 85

7

0

Ross Turnbull

Barnsley*

04 Jan 85

0

0

Leighton Baines

Wigan Athletic

11 Dec 84

2

0

Calum Davenport

West Ham Utd*

01 Jan 83

4

0

Daniel Harding

Brighton HA

23 Dec 83

3

0

Justin Hoyte

Arsenal

20 Nov 84

5

0

Nicky Hunt

Bolton Wanderers

03 Sep 83

5

0

Glen Johnson

Chelsea

23 Aug 84

10

0

Liam Ridgewell

Aston Villa

21 July 84

2

0

Michael Dawson

Nottingham Forest

18 Nov 83

6

0

Wayne Routledge

Crystal Palace

07 Jan 85

0

0

Stewart Downing

Middlesbrough

22 July 84

6

0

James Milner

Newcastle United

04 Jan 86

6

1

Gary O'Neil

Portsmouth

18 May 83

5

0

Jermaine Pennant

Arsenal

15 Jan 83

24

0

Darren Ambrose

Newcastle United

29 Feb 84

3

0

Ben Watson

Crystal Palace

09 July 85

0

0

Peter Whittingham

Aston Villa

08 Sept 84

4

0

Darren Bent

Ipswich Town

06 Feb 84

9

7

Carlton Cole

Aston Villa*

12 Nov 83

10

4

Jonathan Stead

Blackburn Rovers

07 Apr 83

6

0