Shirecliffe’s role in the England Elite Squad’s Triumph | OneFootball

Last night, England’s Elite Squad (formerly the U20s) beat Germany’s U20s 4-0 at Chesterfield’s SMH Group Stadium.

The match saw Sydie Peck, who is having his breakthrough season at Bramall Lane, make his debut in the U20s age group for England and get a goal for his efforts. Not to mention laying on three assists for the other goalscorers, Romain Esse, Max Dean and Will Lankshear.

Peck and Lankshear are both graduates of Sheffield United’s Shirecliffe-based youth academy making last night’s result a further showcase of the Blades’ ability to produce quality young players.

The Match

The first goal came from Romain Esse on the fifteenth minute.

On the 40th minute the Elite Squad’s second goal came from Sydie Peck taking a shot that deflected off of Max Dean and into the net.

Peck scored the Elite Squad’s third goal in the 55th minute. The 20-year-old Blade headed into the top corner from a set-piece taken by Manchester City’s Jacob Wright.

Then on the 72nd minute, the former academy Blade, Will Lankshear scored the Elite Squad’s fourth. Peck was found at the back post by a cross and headed the ball down to Lankshear to score into an open net.

Peck and Lankshear

(Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Both Peck and Lankshear are enjoying breakthrough seasons at their respective men’s clubs, the Blades and Tottenham Hotspur.

Will Lankshear

While at Shirecliffe, Lankshear was the Blades U18s captain and won the Professional Development League Division 2 title in 2021/2022.

In his time with the Blades he scored 38 goals in 48 appearances.

He left the Blades in 2022 for a reported fee of £1 million that could rise to £2.5 million based on his performances for Spurs. Unfortunately, he never made a senior appearance for the Blades.

Last season, Lankshear won the Premier League 2 Player of the Season scoring 21 goals for Spurs U21s.

This season he has continued his impressive development scoring his first Europa League goal against Galatasaray on 7th November.

Sydie Peck

Peck however, is well and truly still a Blade. The midfielder has established himself as a fan favourite. His performances have kept Souza, Hamer and Arblaster on their best form out of fear of being replaced.

Peck has played in 11 matches for the Blades so far this season and was FutMob’s Player of the match against Wrexham in the EFL Cup.

Even with his brilliance so far this season not many of us Blades could have warned Germany’s U21s of just how good a player they were about to face last night.

Fun Facts

Peck and Lankshear have a couple of strange similarities despite only being at the start of their careers. Both began their youth careers at Arsenal and both now wear the No. 42 as senior players.

More Shirecliffe Graduates for the Elite Squad

(Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)

Outside of last night’s match, the Elite Squad has also featured Blades captain Ollie Arblaster and Louie Marsh.

Both Marsh and Peck received their England Elite Squad call-ups as a result of injuries to Arblaster, who has unluckily missed out on the last two international breaks.

Marsh, a Blade attending Shirecliffe since the age of 10, scored on his Elite Squad debut.

Hopefully we see Arblaster and Marsh lace up for England again soon.

Takeaways

It’s clear that the academy that gave England both Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker in recent years is becoming essential for the Three Lions once again.

With performances like last night, it shouldn’t be long before Sydie is lining out for the U21s and eventually the men’s team.