England U16 Squad Announced for Prestigious Montaigu Tournament

England’s U16 side has officially unveiled its squad for the 2025 edition of the renowned Montaigu Tournament, which will take place from April 15 to 21 in the Vendée region of France. The Young Lions are set to face Japan, Mexico, and Portugal in the group stage of a competition that has historically seen future global stars such as Thierry Henry, Kylian Mbappé, and Cristiano Ronaldo grace its pitches. Several players from Premier League academies stand out in the squad, including Chelsea’s Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli and Leicester City’s Jeremy Monga, the latter having recently made his Premier League debut.

england u16 04/2025 — *Mahdi Nicoll-Jazuli (centre) is one of the standout talents in the squad alongside Jeremy Monga (left) © X/Felix Johnston*

A Rich Talent Pool from England’s Elite Academies.

As is often the case with England’s youth setups, the squad’s diversity and depth of talent are striking. For this 2025 edition of the Montaigu Tournament, the Young Lions are bringing a highly competitive group that blends defensive solidity, technical proficiency in midfield, and explosive pace in attack.

At the back, Arsenal’s Marli Salmon has made headlines this season by becoming a regular for the Gunners’ U21 side — a remarkable achievement for a 16-year-old centre-back. He’s joined by clubmate Josiah King, a dynamic and quick right-back who has also earned his place in the squad. Another exciting name in defence is Riley Ebho of West Ham United, who’s widely seen as one of the Hammers’ brightest defensive prospects.

The midfield boasts flair and intelligence, spearheaded by Newcastle United’s Sam Alabi, who has already featured 15 times in the U18 Premier League and made his FA Youth Cup debut while still school-aged. Everton’s Malik Olayiwola and Manchester City’s Floyd Samba bring energy, vision, and incisive passing — qualities that could prove decisive in this kind of high-level international youth tournament.

Up front, Daniel Adediran of Aston Villa will be one to watch. Known for his strength and sharp eye for goal, the forward is expected to cause real problems for opposing defences throughout the tournament.

But Montaigu is far more than just another youth event, it’s often the first step onto the international stage, a chance to catch the eye and set the tone for future professional careers. With former participants like Morgan Rogers and Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema once cutting their teeth here, the stakes are high. For the Young Lions, it’s time to make themselves heard.