England U20 return to action this Thursday, 12 November, during the November international window with another UEFA Elite League fixture against the Czech Republic. Darren Moore’s Young Lions will play in front of a home crowd for the first time this season, with kick-off scheduled for 7.30pm GMT at the One Call Stadium in Mansfield. Having won all three of their matches during the previous international window, England will be looking to maintain their perfect record and strengthen their position at the top of the table ahead of Monday’s trip to Portugal.
The Young Lions looking to maintain their perfect record
England head into this latest fixture full of confidence following an excellent first international window. Based in Spain between late September and early October, Darren Moore’s side won all three of their UEFA Elite League matches, securing victories over Italy (3-1), France (2-1) and Germany (2-1).
The Young Lions began their campaign with a comeback victory against Italy. After conceding an own goal from Airidas Golambeckis, England turned the game around through Jesse Derry, Mikey Moore and Shea Lacey. Four days later, they also overcame France, with Shumaira Mheuka and Mikey Moore both finding the net inside the opening stages. England then rounded off their Spanish camp with a third successive victory against Germany, with Mheuka and Kian Noble on target. Nine points from nine gave the Young Lions the perfect start to their campaign, and they will be looking to maintain that momentum against the Czech Republic.
Darren Moore can once again call upon several players who have already established themselves as key figures within this generation. Harry Amass, Ayden Heaven and Christopher Rigg are among the established players at the back and in midfield, while Shea Lacey, Mikey Moore and Shumaira Mheuka will once again provide quality in the final third. The objective will be to build on October’s impressive performances while taking another important step in their Elite League campaign.
The England squad has nevertheless undergone several changes since the previous international window. Three key players, Trey Nyoni, Harrison Armstrong and Divine Mukasa, have been promoted to the U21s following their impressive performances this season. Max Dowman, who featured for the U19s during the previous international window, has also moved directly up to the U21s. Ezra Mayers is another notable absentee from this month’s squad.
Several players have also withdrawn since the initial squad was announced. West Ham United goalkeeper Finlay Herrick was replaced by Burnley shot-stopper Connor Edwards. The latter has received his first-ever call-up to an England side at any age group. Oliver Whatmuff, Jack Fletcher and Jay Robinson have also withdrawn and are therefore unavailable for this fixture.
Despite those absences, Moore has retained much of his squad and can also welcome several new faces. Olutayo Subuloye, Benjamin Broggio and Sean Neave are all set to make their first appearances at U20 level, while Brian Madjo has stepped up to this age group after representing Luxembourg at senior level in friendly internationals before joining England’s U17s.
Following Thursday’s meeting with the Czech Republic, the Young Lions will travel to Portugal on Monday, 16 November to face the hosts at 5pm at the Estádio Municipal de Mafra. A victory in Mansfield would allow England to maintain their excellent start to the campaign and head into the trip to Portugal with even greater confidence.
The England U20 starting XI to face the Czech Republic:
- Nicolas Michalski (Crawley Town, on loan from Blackburn Rovers)
- Harry Amass (Manchester United)
- Ayden Heaven (Manchester United)
- Kian Noble (Manchester City)
- Souleymane Sidibe (PSV Eindhoven)
- Christopher Rigg (Sunderland)
- Shea Lacey (Manchester United)
- George Hemmings (Aston Villa)
- Jesse Derry (Sporting Club de Portugal, on loan from Chelsea)
- Shumaira Mheuka (Celtic, on loan from Chelsea)
- Jimmy-Jay Morgan (West Bromwich Albion)
