#younglions — Public Fediverse posts

Charlie Cresswell is proving one of England Under-21’s leaders and most vocal team members. Cresswell began at Leeds United (his dad Richard’s old club), had a loan spell at Millwall, and is now at Toulouse. French club follow their tall centre-back’s adventures at the European Under-21s closely with updates of “Charlie et les #YoungLions”.

Cresswell takes on the excellent Spanish in Saturday’s quarter-final in Trnava, here in Slovakia. Last night, Cresswell rallied the team against Germany in Nitra, shouting at them to be “more aggressive” and adding to Lee Carsley’s rhetoric at the break. Cresswell, who won the Euros in 2023, spoke candidly after the defeat by Germany …

On what Carsley said at half-time. “Show some fight, you’re playing for England, let's run harder than them, work harder than them. I was saying to the lads ‘just smash into them’, ‘I don't know you're there’ and ‘let them know they're in a game’. I just knew it wasn't good enough from everyone, myself included. We just needed more fight, more determination. We can go press them high and get the ball back.

“We showed that in the second half, but we've got to take that into the next game. I said to the lads today, ‘You're playing for England Under-21s, against Germany and next will be against Spain. It doesn't get better than this’. We'll look back on this time and want to live this point again so it's important we stay right here right now and enjoy every moment.”

On being vocal. “It's the way I've been brought up. It was drilled in me since I was first starting football. Mainly by my dad and my mum. I've got three younger siblings so being the oldest child plays its part. I'm the one they should be looking up to so it’s just trying to set an example for everyone. My dad always taught me that speaking will help me. So I speak and it helps others, but it also helps me. It helps make my job a lot easier. And if that comes off in a leadership manner then it is what it is.”

On developing at Toulouse. “Ligue 1 is very good. Like any fans, they (Toulouse’s) love anyone leaving 100% on the pitch. I've matured a lot out there, like in everyday life. It's made me more independent.” Helped by his girlfriend. “She's very good at cooking. She's been a massive, massive part for me. She's helped me through it all and been by my side.”

On increasing number of England fans out here in Slovakia. “It's great to see, especially for us players, walking out and seeing all the England flags from all parts of the country.
I've got family coming to the next game.”

On the challenge of Spain. “Spain are a top side. The first team as well, it runs through their system. You know when you play against Spain what they're going to be like. They're going to pass it around and try to make you move. But we've got to stand strong and take the game to them. Because we've got quality in that room. We know we can beat them. Everyone has their weaknesses.”

On being on the bench against Spain in the 2023 final. “It was good! I know it got a bit fiery at some points and I'm pretty sure it'll be a fiery game. I enjoy that stuff though.” #ENG #SPAENG #U21EURO #LUFC #YoungLions

The future's bright, the future's entertaining….#ENG U21s 4 Austria U21s 1. Kenilworth Road’s Oak Stand carries a large sign saying “History is made in Luton” and the future was also being shaped tonight. Morgan Rogers struck twice for #younglions, building on his superb #AVFC form and showing why he's being tipped for a senior call-up. He was the shining light of a fluid, inventive England Under-21 side.

The pathway to the seniors from the Under-21s is embodied and encouraged by Lee Carsley. This was only a friendly, but Austria were decent enough, especially the spindly, livewire Thierno Ballo. Rogers' pace down the left, cutting inside, was a constant thorn in Austria’s right flank. He’s powerful, too, shrugging off markers. Villa have signed well from Boro, and Rogers will only develop further under Unai Emery.

If Rogers was man of the match, England’s wealth of emerging talent was seen in a range of positions.
James Beadle, the tall #BHAFC keeper on loan to #SWFC, has already trained with the seniors, and made one magnificent save, dropping quickly to his left to repel Lang’s free-kick. Good distribution, too.

Jarell Quansah #LFC was an assured presence at centre-back, effortlessly easing Grgic off the ball one minute, the next dribbling past attackers, stepping into midfield to launch another attack. England even had a left-footed left-back on show, Lewis Hall #NUFC, who brought balance and assists.

James McAtee #MCFC impressed in his 71 minutes with his running and passing and it was his darting run that spooked Micheler into a rash challenge. Rogers, having stuttered in his run-up, drove the penalty high into net. With Douglas Luiz having left Villa, Rogers picked the right moment to show his ability from the spot (23).

England were briefly sloppy. Ballo exploited Alex Scott’s #afcb struggles to control an overhit pass and curled the ball around Beadle. The rows of scouts in attendance at Kenilworth Road were also present to assess Ballo, who started on the left, finished on the right, and moved inside to good effect. He’s well-known to England age-group sides having scored twice against U-17s – aged 14. Recruited by #CFC, nurtured by Jody Morris, prolific in U18s, but eventually released. Ballo looks like a strong breeze could knock him over but he delivered a gutsy performance and ended with a respectful embrace from Hall.

Rogers restored England’s lead (48). Sam Iling-Junior, Bologna on loan from Villa, traversed from right to left, angled the ball into the area and Rogers finished right-footed. McAtee then swept in Hall’s cut-back after more good work from Rogers (58). England’s entertainers hadn’t finished. Hall created a close-range fourth for sub Tom Fellows #WBAFC (80). The future’s bright.