Aidy Boothroyd have handed Lee Buchanan and Jamal Musiala maiden England U21 call-ups as the Young Lions finish their UEFA U21 Euro Qualifying campaign with a home double-header against Andorra and Albania at Molineux.
Having already qualified for the Finals tournament next year, Boothroyd has decided to hand Buchanan and Musiala chances to impress after producing strong performances at Derby and Bayern Munich in recent weeks.
In goalkeeper selection, Brentford’s Ellery Balcombe has been omitted as Tottenham’s Brandon Austin returns after missing last month’s draw in Andorra plus a home win over Turkey, whilst Josef Bursik and Aaron Ramsdale retain their places in the squad.
Boothroyd has left Everton’s Ben Godfrey and Manchester United’s Brandon Williams out as he hands Derby’s Lee Buchanan a maiden U21s call-up whilst Ben Wilmott returns after impressing for Watford in recent weeks.
On his decision to call up Buchanan who has risen through England’s youth system, Boothroyd said; “He’s been a standout player for Derby and because he’s been in our system, it was an easy conversation with Lee Carsley, to call him into the squad and now get a closer look at him in training.”
Tom Davies meanwhile has been snubbed in midfield due to injury with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher who is currently on loan at West Brom stepping up to replace Davies, after missing last month’s fixtures through fitness issues as he adapted to life at The Hawthorns.
Up front, Sam Surridge is the only absentee from October’s selection as Sheffield United’s Rhian Brewster returns to the squad after skipping last month’s matches through injury.
Musiala is meanwhile a new addition to the squad after scoring two goals in eight appearances for Bayern this season, with Boothroyd believing that now is the ideal time to give him a shot in the U21s squad despite being only 17 years-old, saying; “He’s been playing really well, getting Champions League exposure and he’s one of those players who has forced himself into our plans.”
Boothroyd’s Young Lions will play Andorra at Molineux on Friday 13 November 2020 in a 7:30pm kick-off before Albania visit four days later on Tuesday 17 November in a 7:25pm kick-off, with both matches screened live on BT Sports in the UK.
Here is the full England U21s squad to face Andorra and Albania at Molineux behind closed doors;
Goalkeepers – Brandon Austin (Tottenham Hotspur), Josef Bursik (Stoke City – on loan at Doncaster Rovers), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United)
Defence – Max Aarons (Norwich), Lee Buchanan (Derby County), Marc Guehi (Chelsea – on loan at Swansea City), James Justin (Leicester), Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth), Tariq Lamptey (Brighton), Jonathan Panzo (Dijon), Rhys Williams (Liverpool), Ben Wilmott (Watford)
Midfield – Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Josh Dasilva (Brentford), Ebere Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea – on loan at West Brom), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Oliver Skipp (Tottenham Hotspur – on loan at Norwich)
Forward – Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Dwight McNeil (Burnley), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Ryan Sessegnon (Tottenham Hotspur – on loan at Hoffenheim), Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United), Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich)
Leave a Reply