ToffeeWeb - Season 2009-10

The Mail Bag

England's Squad at World Youth Cup

The 2009 World Youth Cup starts this week in Egypt. As England play Uruguay on Saturday, I was curious to see who made it to the England squad, and particularly what sort/level of club they played for. It appears a number of our rivals in the EPL have players going, Aston Villa, Spurs, Arsenal, Fulham, Liverpool, Man United and Man City all have players going (Man City have 6 out of the 21 players!), but rather disappointingly no Everton players.

Full squad is here: http://www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder20s/NewsAndFeatures/2009/WC_squad_announcement.aspx

Sure, the likes of Chelsea and Man Utd are bound to have a few youngsters going. But I thought that we might have had one or two going, especially as some have received some high praise from those who see the reserves / pre-season matches, and that some of them keep making the bench.

So the question I’m really asking is, should I be disappointed that Everton aren’t represented, or should I be just glad that we aren’t going to be losing anyone from an already small squad?
Jip Foster, Reading Posted 22/09/2009 at 05:54:04

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Dick Anderson
1 Posted 22/09/2009 at 14:00:25

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Like Jack Rodwell is going to play for the Under 20s?

Rodwell is looking to make the full squad for the World Cup. Personally I think he could steal Barry’s spot.

Admittedly Wallace and Baxter could have made the squad but maybe Moyes asked for them to be left out considering they are now squad players at Everton.

Peter Hurley
2 Posted 22/09/2009 at 14:26:47

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I’d prefer our batch of talented youngsters to be getting the exposure that they are to the first team squad whilst they have the opportunity as this door may not be open for too much longer once we start getting citical players back from injury, Rodwell aside.

This exposure should help drive their ambition in becoming better players so that they can make the grade with us when they are ready and hopefully present them with opportunities to develop in the first team when they do present themselves a la Rodwells debut in Europe a couple of seasons ago.

Wouldn’t be surpirsed to see a couple from Wallace, Agard, Baxter, Coleman et al get on against Hull if we are looking comfortable second half, or maybe even start if Moyes is really going to change things around!

Nick Entwistle
3 Posted 22/09/2009 at 15:04:33

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Did Rooney play for them? Nope... I don’t think it means jack.

John Martin
4 Posted 22/09/2009 at 19:26:41

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The majority of those in the England squad will not make top Premier League players. If they are that good at that age, they are in 1st team squads and are involved in the England Under-21s — like Rodwell or Wilshire.

Rupert Sullivan
5 Posted 22/09/2009 at 21:20:18

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I can’t see Rodwell being called up for the full squad, he doesn’t have enough experience - yes, I know Rooney was called up and had no more than a season, but I think Rodwell is a little different - but I agree with Peter, I wouldn’t worry about Jack not being called up and would rather see him sport his talents at first team level for the moment. I can’t see Capello looking at the under 20s side for the World Cup, I can see him looking at the premier league...

Matt Traynor
6 Posted 23/09/2009 at 05:21:51

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I agree with Rupert. As good a prospect as Rodwell is, he’s still wet behind the ears to play in the biggest tournament at this stage. With a striker, you can take a gamble if their "natural finishing" is good enough. With a midfielder, particularly one who plays in a key position, it would be a huge gamble.

Not impossible though - Whiteside was only just 17 when he became the youngest goalscorer in the finals in 82...

Steve Ferns
7 Posted 23/09/2009 at 15:03:45

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As said above, forget the U20 world cup, if a player is involved in a competition like this at 20, then he’s clearly not an important payer for his club as the season is obviously taking place in tandem.

If you want to look to the future, then the Victory Shield (live on sky) is a few weeks away and Everton should be ablely represented by the two best players in the side, Jake Bidwell and Ross Barkley. Ross is something of a prolific goalscoring midfielder, whilst Bidwell might get the captaincy and follow in Rodwell and Baxter’s shoes.

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