England Under-20s boss Paul Simpson has paid tribute to the clubs who have allowed him to pick a “good collection” of players for the World Cup Finals.
Simpson named his Young Lions squad for the trip to South Korea on Monday, before the 21-man group head to Japan for a training camp to begin their preparations for the competition.
And after being able to select the majority of the players he wanted to, with the exception of Patrick Roberts, Axel Tuanzebe and Izzy Brown due to their first-team commitments with Celtic, Manchester United and Huddersfield Town respectively, the head coach is happy with his lot.
“I’m absolutely delighted with it, I think we’re going in with a really good squad of players,” he explained.
“I must make a point of saying a massive thank-you to the clubs for allowing that to happen because I know it’s been a tough one for them to make a decision and release them from being involved in games.
“But thankfully, they’ve agreed to it and we travel over there with what I believe is a really good collection of young English players.”
With games against Argentina in their Group A opener a week on Saturday, Guinea and then host nation Korea Republic, Simpson knows those involved are going to get an experience which will live with them for the rest of their careers.
And the prospect of facing top class opposition in front of big crowds against the backdrop of a frenzied home support is something which the players’ clubs all bought into.
“It’s a huge part of a player’s development and if we’re talking about trying to produce players for senior international football and top level club football, this is a great experience for them,” he revealed.
“To do the long-haul travel and then deal with the difference in temperature and climate, these are all things which might challenge players as they go through their careers with club and country.
