England’s U21 Euro squad has been announced for the upcoming UEFA European Under-21 Championship. Sunderland’s Jobe Bellingham stands out as the marquee name leading the team. Bellingham, who has recently been recognised as the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season, and helped the Balck Cats gain promotion back to the Premier League, is expected to be a key figure in England’s midfield.
However, the squad will notably miss the presence of striker Liam Delap and midfielder Adam Wharton. Sidelined due to club commitments and injury, respectively. Lee Carsley has created a very decent team, including proven EPL players and Championship prospects.
The 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship will be hosted across eight cities in Slovakia. It runs from June 11 to June 28. England enters the tournament as the defending champions, having secured the title in 2023. The Young Lions will be aiming to retain their crown. It has historically been a platform for showcasing emerging English talent on the continental stage.
England’s Squad for the 2025 U21 Euros
Lee Carsley has named a 23-man squad blending seasoned U21 players with fresh talent from the Premier League and beyond. Here’s the full list:
- Goalkeepers: Tommy Simkin (Stoke City), Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Doncaster Rovers, on loan from Chelsea), James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday, on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion)
- Defenders: Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool), Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Genoa), CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley), Ronnie Edwards (QPR, on loan from Southampton),
- Midfielders: Jobe Bellingham (Sunderland), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton & Hove Albion), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Tyler Morton (Liverpool)
- Forwards: Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Samuel Iling-Junior (Aston Villa), James McAtee (Manchester City), Jonathan Rowe (Marseille), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town)
Notable Absences
Noticeably, the squad misses some key players, previously expected to feature. Liam Delap, who recently completed a £30 million move to Chelsea, has been withdrawn from the squad. He will participate in Chelsea’s Club World Cup campaign in the United States. Similarly, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace is out due to injury. Additionally, Dennis Cirkin and Dane Scarlett have also withdrawn, citing health concerns. These absences have led to last-minute inclusions. Namely, Carlsey included James McAtee from Manchester City, who should play a significant role in the midfield.
The squad also lacks a natural left-back. A position that coach Carsley has managed in the past tournament. He mainly relied on Tino Livramento, who has covered that position at Newcastle this season. Also, Samuel Iling-Junior, even though a winger, could be an alternative as well.
England’s Prospects for the Tournament
England is drawn in a competitive group alongside Czechia, Slovenia, and Germany. Their campaign kicks off against Czechia on June 12 at the Mol Arena, followed by matches against Slovenia and Germany. Given their status as reigning champions, England is one of the favourites to progress deep.
The midfield, anchored by Jobe Bellingham and supported by talents like Archie Gray and Elliot Anderson, is one of their strongest points. While the absence of Delap removes a key striking option, the team’s depth and tactical flexibility provide optimism for a successful title defence. Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott might be the crucial link in the attack as England’s U21 top scorer with nine goals to his name.
England’s blend of youthful energy and experience, combined with a recent history of success at this level, positions them well to challenge for the trophy once again. The knockout stages will test their resilience. But the squad’s quality and leadership give them a solid foundation to build on.
