Final selection

Wednesday, 20 June, 2012

Noel Blake names his squad for U19 Euro Finals in Estonia

By Nicholas Veevers

UEFA European U19 Championship
The Finals
3-15 July 2012
Tallinn, Estonia

England U19s Head Coach Noel Blake has selected his squad for the trip east to Estonia and this summer's UEFA European U19 Championship Finals.

The Young Lions secured their place in the last eight of the competition following their success in the Elite Qualifying Round in May and now head to Tallinn for the Final stages in early July.

Blake has made five changes to the squad which came through the Elite Round, with two of those enforced following the unfortunate injuries picked up by strikers William Keane and Pat Bamford. They have been replaced by West Ham United ace Robert Hall and Everton's Hallam Hope, who is in the U19 squad for the first time following impressive performances under Blake for the U18s this season.

Birmingham City winger Nathan Redmond is also back in the squad after making his U19 bow against Czech Republic in February, whilst Liverpool midfielder Conor Coady returns to the group after missing the Elite Round.

Everton left-back Luke Garbutt was named in the initial squad for the Elite Round but was withdrawn in order to play for Cheltenham Town in the League Two Play-Off Final and he is also restored for the Finals.

England have been drawn out in Group B in the Finals, alongside Croatia, Serbia and France. The top two teams from each group will progress to the semi-final and there are also spots in the 2013 U20 World Cup up for grabs for the nations who finish third in their group.

The squad will meet up in England on Monday 25 June in order to prepare for the Finals before flying to Estonia the following weekend ahead of the opening game with Croatia on Tuesday 3 July.

The Squad

Goalkeepers: Sam Johnstone (Manchester United), Connor Ripley (Middlesbrough).

Defenders: Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Michael Keane (Manchester United), Jack Robinson (Liverpool), Tom Thorpe (Manchester United).

Midfielders: Conor Coady (Liverpool), Ross Barkley (Everton), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), John Lundstram (Everton), Nathan Redmond (Birmingham City), George Thorne (West Bromwich Albion).

Forwards: Benik Afobe (Arsenal), Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Robert Hall (West Ham United), Hallam Hope (Everton).

What Do You Think?

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good squad does anyone know where to get tickets from for the games By andyT (10 months ago)
In fairness, it's not always as straightforward as just picking players for these tournaments like it is with the seniors. I doubt Man U would even allow Powell out so soon after signing for them and Sterling's had his issues too. Both can play for the U19s next season anyway. McEachran and Wickham are down for the Olympics. Either way, it's a strong group of players this year, but at this stage, you can't predict who will develop into the Seniors or not. Sterling could just as easily be the next Leon Knight as the next Alex Ox.By EagleEye (10 months ago)
Can somone explain to me why the likes of Raheem Sterling and Nick Powell are not included. Whether you look at form this season or past performances for England, they are surely both worth selection. And from a development stanpoint, surely we should pick players most likley to one day feature for the senior team? Sterling will almost certainly play for England if we don't annoy him so much that he goes to Jamaica) whereas several of those above will almost certainly never make that grade. And what about josh McEachren? I know he's been in the U21s, but so has Barkely, and besides, they have no games. A midfield-attack of Chalobah, McEachren, Barkley-Redmond, Afobe, Sterling would be stellar.By Stirlo (10 months ago)
Deecent squad. Hopefully the usual club withdrawals don't occur between now and the flight! Get them out there!By Liono (10 months ago)