With just a few months to go before the 2025 U21 European Championship, where the Young Lions will look to defend their title, England’s U21s face two high-profile clashes against France and Portugal during the March international break. Head coach Lee Carsley has named a 25-man squad, blending exciting young talents with established names from the English and European leagues. For several players, this will be an opportunity to edge closer to the senior team, with some observers arguing that the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite and Adam Wharton already deserve a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad.
A squad built for the future.
With a total market value exceeding £400 million, this England U21 generation is among the most promising in Europe. Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens, who has netted 11 goals this season, is one of the squad’s most valuable assets, with an estimated worth of around £42 million. Alongside him, 17-year-old Arsenal sensation Ethan Nwaneri earns his first U21 call-up after a standout Premier League campaign. Versatile full-back Rico Lewis, a regular feature in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side, reunites with Carsley, who previously called him up to the senior squad during his interim stint last autumn.
Among the newcomers, Chelsea loanee Teddy Sharman-Lowe (currently at Doncaster Rovers), Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley, and Sunderland full-back Dennis Cirkin will be looking to stake their claim in a highly competitive squad. Meanwhile, the inclusion of three Ipswich Town players : Liam Delap, Omari Hutchinson, and Jaden Philogene, underlines the impressive depth of talent within the Premier League, even among teams not considered among the elite.
Selected players :
Goalkeepers:
James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Brighton)
Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Doncaster Rovers, on loan from Chelsea)
Tommy Simkin (Walsall, on loan from Stoke City)
Defenders:
Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse FC)
CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley)
Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland)
Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton)
Rico Lewis (Manchester City)
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton)
Midfielders:
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
Archie Gray (Tottenham)
Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough)
Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton)
Jamie Gittens (Borussia Dortmund)
Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland)
Forwards:
Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
Harvey Elliott (Liverpool)
Jaden Philogene (Ipswich Town)
James McAtee (Manchester City)
Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)
Liam Delap (Ipswich Town)
Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town)
Sam Iling Jr (Middlesbrough, on loan from Aston Villa)
