Lee Carsley has cautioned that England’s opening fixture against the Czech Republic at the Under-21 European Championships could be a bit ‘clunky’ and ‘unorganised’ on Wednesday as his team prepares to defend the title they won in 2023.
In the previous tournament, Carsley’s side delivered a faultless performance, not conceding any goals while scoring 11. However, due to the limited preparation time leading up to the 2025 edition, Carsley is wary of a repeat of last year’s success.
Addressing the press at Dunajska Streda’s DAC Stadium, where England will face the Czech Republic at 21:00 CET, Carsley acknowledged that they may not hit peak performance in their first match.
He remarked: “We will play a slightly different style in this tournament. It’s not simply a matter of making like-for-like substitutions.
“It’s about our ability to adapt, and I believe we’ve shown that adaptability. I expect that at times tomorrow, against a very strong Czech side, it might appear a bit unorganised and somewhat clunky.”
“I’ve communicated to the players that they shouldn’t expect too much too quickly. The longer we remain in the tournament, the better these players will gel together.”
In their last encounter at U21 EURO 2023, England triumphed 2-0, and with the ever-changing landscape of youth international football, the squad has evolved significantly since then. Only two players – Harvey Elliott and Charlie Cresswell – are returning from that squad in Georgia, with many experiencing tournament football for the first time.
Given their time constraints, Carsley and his coaching staff have focused more on tactics than fitness, hoping that their squad can adapt effectively to the unique challenges they will face in Slovakia.
He further explained: “We have a lot of versatility within the squad. The key is for me to adjust the tactics in relation to the players’ strengths, rather than based solely on my perspective. It’s a challenge, as we have a wealth of talented players.”
One player who won’t be available for the England Under-21s is Jobe Bellingham. Although initially named in the pre-tournament squad, Bellingham is now in the United States for the Club World Cup after signing with Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday.
Similarly, Liam Delap also misses out due to club commitments with his new team Chelsea. However, Carsley believes that for both players, missing the Euros and being able to compete at a higher level is a great opportunity.
The 51-year-old expressed: “I think it’s fantastic for both lads. The more English players we have competing at the highest level will only benefit the senior team in the long run.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for them, as well as a chance for the players stepping in to replace them. We’ve been aware of the Club World Cup for a couple of years, and we’ve been preparing for it for around six months.”
On Wednesday, UEFA announced the introduction of the eight-second rule for goalkeepers to deter time-wasting and any gamesmanship late in matches. If a goalkeeper holds onto the ball for longer than the allowed time, a corner will be awarded to the opposing team, with referees giving a five-second countdown to notify the keeper.
This rule will take effect in tonight’s opening U21 EURO match between Slovakia and Spain, and despite the late notice, Carsley believes both England and starting keeper James Beadle are well-equipped to handle the change.
“We had a 30-minute presentation on the eight-second rule, which was very informative. I don’t foresee it being an issue.”
Earlier in the day, England trained at Samorin, with only Jack Hinshelwood absent for personal reasons; however, he is expected to rejoin the squad on Thursday. Tom Fellows is also on standby to link up with the U21s following Bellingham’s departure.
After facing the Czechs on Thursday, England will head to Nitra to take on Slovenia before going up against Germany.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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