Cresswell Affirms England’s Commitment to ‘Leave It All on the Field’ in Final Clash with Germany

England defender Charlie Cresswell has urged his teammates to give their all as the Young Lions prepare to take on Germany in the Under-21 European Championship final this Saturday.

Cresswell, who has featured in every minute of the tournament for Lee Carsley’s side, showcased his defensive skills during their 2-1 triumph over the Netherlands, with Harvey Elliott netting both goals.

Both Cresswell and Elliott were integral to the Under-21 squad that clinched the title two years ago and have since assumed leadership roles within the current cohort ahead of the 2025 tournament.

This will mark Cresswell’s first final with the England team. He was an unused substitute during the 1-0 win against Spain two years prior, and he has implored his teammates to pour their hearts into the match to reclaim the championship.

After the victory over the Dutch, the 23-year-old shared with reporters: “If we win, we win. If we lose, we lose, but no one’s going to critique you if you give 100%.

“Just leave everything on the pitch and then walk away with your head held high.”

England’s only scare during the game against the Netherlands stemmed from Noah Ohio’s sensational long-range strike. Cresswell inadvertently contributed to the goal, as a miscontrolled touch set the Dutch striker up for the attempt.

Fortunately for Cresswell, Elliott’s late goal rectified the situation, but the centre-back is keen to move on from the error.

He remarked: “The ball came to me in a tricky way, and a bit of tiredness kicked in. I might have switched off for a second, and he hit it from 45 yards.

“So, you just take it on the chin and continue with what you’ve been doing. We pushed forward, and that’s when you rely on your forwards to deliver. It turned out well.”

This sense of leadership is deeply rooted in his love for his country.

He stated: “Pulling on an England shirt is a tremendous privilege, and I’m incredibly proud to do so. Giving my all is the least I can do.”

While such pride can lead to additional pressure, Cresswell sees the upcoming final against Germany as simply another match.

The Toulouse defender conveyed: “Playing for England does come with its pressures, but it’s all about how you manage that. When you step onto the pitch, it’s a game of football, plain and simple.

“Sure, you’re representing your country, but it’s still just another football match. It’s about managing that pressure individually and as a team…

“…We need to concentrate on our performance, as we believe strongly in this squad and the resilience we possess, which I believe is unmatched in this tournament.

“Going into Saturday, we have full faith in ourselves, and I’m confident we’ll get the job done.”