Best possible England Under-21 side. Arsenal stars the future of English international football. Are these youngsters capable of beating the senior side?
There has been a lot of discussion recently over whether a player should drop back down to the Under-21s after making the step up to the senior squad. But what could the current Under-21 side look like if they did?
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There are a number of fantastic young players who currently run out for England, and if they were to drop back down to the Under-21s they could form an absolutely lethal team.
Looking at the current options available for the Under-21 side, they would certainly be capable of giving the senior squad a run for their money.
Here is the best possible starting XI for the Under-21s:
GK) Jack Butland
Although some way behind Joe Hart at the moment, the 21-year-old looks to be an England star in the making. Wasted slightly on the Stoke City bench, once he gets consistent first team football again we should see Butland challenging for Hart’s No.1 spot.
RB) Calum Chambers
Already featuring for the senior side, Chambers has really come into the spotlight since his summer move to Arsenal. With England’s lack of options at right-back at the moment he is likely to continue receiving call ups, although it would appear that Arsene Wenger eventually sees him as centre-back.
CB) Phil Jones
The Manchester United utility man has failed to reach the heights expected of him so far, but he is still young enough to change his fortunes. With a number of young English centre-backs coming through the ranks he will have plenty of competition to keep him on his toes.
CB) John Stones
The Everton youngster is in a similar position to Calum Chambers, deployed largely at right-back despite his future most probably lying at centre-back; a possible pairing of the future.
LB) Luke Shaw
The record teenage signing may not have hit the ground running at United, but he is still an undeniable talent. There is significantly more competition at left-back with the likes of Leighton Baines and Kieran Gibbs, but with age on his side Shaw should eventually make that spot his own.