Earlier this week the u21 European Championship final was contested between Sweden and Portugal.

It was a game that hardly set the world alight, with the Swedes needing penalties to win after a 0-0 draw after extra time.

This is a tournament where England’s young lions finished bottom of their group. This was in a group with Italy, finalists Portugal and eventual winners Sweden (who we beat 1-0). But despite this, the campaign cannot be seen as anything other than a drab failure.

Little of the blame can be put at Gareth Southgate’s door. Contrary to what he might say about the situation, it is hardly ideal. He is forced to do his job blindfolded, with one arm behind his back whilst hopping on one foot.

Much has been said criticising his tactical choices and lack of game management, but he, like many others, can hardly hold much enthusiasm regarding the u21s's chance of success in the current state.

Whilst it is often expected, the team is not often filled with the best available talent, with the seniors having hoovered up many stars already.

Many players capped for the senior side see the u21s as a step down. Whilst this is terribly short sighted from privileged young men, club sides must change their attitude on releasing players and should encourage international success at youth level.

Pundit Gary Lineker recently claimed “If clubs try to pull their players, it would be a national disgrace.” With u21s Coach Phil Neville adding “Harry Kane’s development as a player will only be enhanced with u21 involvement. The same could be said of the roll call of eligible players who didn’t travel to the European Championships including; Jack Wilshere, Phil Jones, Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Luke Shaw.

Almost uniquely within Europe, the Premier League has a strangle hold over the top flight which doesn’t enable the National FA to implement changes to improve the national teams.

Often a polarising figure, Joey Barton suggested extended international suspension for those unwilling to represent u21 outside of genuine injury. Although difficult to police, the sentiment is correct. The pride and passion needs to be brought back in representing your national team at all levels. This reluctance is something your average Joe Bloggs will never be able to understand regarding representing your country. Perception must change and realisation needs to occur of the opportunity available to these players to change our psyche for future tournaments.

The U21s should grow up together in tournament football, being able to step up to senior level en mass with 7-8 progressing to the open age side when required rather than just 2 or 3 with their youth careers seen as effectively over.

A winning attitude needs to be nurtured as a group and success as a group with the u21s would only help when stepping up together to the senior side.

[ad_pod id='ricco' align='center']