With just under a month to go before the start of the 2025 U21 European Championship, England have named a provisional 29-man squad as they prepare to defend the title they clinched in 2024. While Lee Carsley’s final selection will be trimmed to 23 players and revealed on 6 June, this initial squad offers a valuable glimpse into the key figures the Young Lions will rely on in Slovakia from 11 to 28 June.
Several senior-level candidates remain with the U21s :
One of the most talked-about names in this preliminary group is Adam Wharton. At 21, the Crystal Palace midfielder is being tipped as a central figure in England’s engine room this summer. Outstanding for the Eagles, where he played a pivotal role in their historic FA Cup triumph over Manchester City, Wharton had been considered a strong contender for a senior call-up. However, Thomas Tuchel has opted to keep him in the U21s, entrusting him with a leadership role in what appears to be a long-term squad-building strategy.
The decision, which sparked debate following the controversial inclusion of Jordan Henderson in the senior side, is nevertheless part of a coherent plan to develop the next generation. Wharton isn’t the only player to fall into this category: Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), and Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest) are also among those who could have been considered for Gareth Southgate’s squad — indeed, the first two have already featured at that level. All now have the chance to shine in Slovakia.
The message is clear: take responsibility and guide the younger talents, such as 18-year-olds Archie Gray (Tottenham) and Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), both already displaying remarkable maturity. Nwaneri, in particular, is expected to be one of the stars of the tournament. After a standout display against Portugal in March, capped with a superb goal, Arsenal’s prized prospect may prove decisive for England’s chances.
Up front, much will rest on the shoulders of Liam Delap. The Ipswich Town striker netted 12 Premier League goals this season despite his club’s relegation, and he’ll be a key part of the Young Lions’ attacking threat. Overall, the squad strikes an excellent balance between experience at this level and high developmental potential — a combination that could well see England retain their European crown.
Full provisional squad :
Goalkeepers :
- James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Brighton)
- Owen Goodman (AFC Wimbledon, on loan from Crystal Palace)
- Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Doncaster Rovers, on loan from Chelsea)
- Tommy Simkin (Walsall, on loan from Stoke City)
Defenders :
- Dennis Cirkin (Sunderland)
- Charlie Cresswell (Toulouse FC)
- Ronnie Edwards (QPR, on loan from Southampton)
- CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley)
- Teden Mengi (Luton Town)
- Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Genoa)
- Tino Livramento (Newcastle United)
- Jarell Quansah (Liverpool)
Midfielders :
- Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
- Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest)
- Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland)
- Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough)
- Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton)
- Tyler Morton (Liverpool)
- Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
Forwards :
- Liam Delap (Ipswich Town)
- Harvey Elliott (Liverpool)
- Tom Fellows (West Bromwich Albion)
- Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town)
- Sam Iling-Junior (Middlesbrough, on loan from Aston Villa)
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
- Dane Scarlett (Tottenham Hotspur)
- Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)
- Jonathan Rowe (Marseille, on loan from Norwich)
