England's under-19 Euro winners: Who are the players that started the final?

GiveMeSport

·2 July 2022

England's under-19 Euro winners: Who are the players that started the final?

England were crowned under-19 European Champions on Friday night following a 3-1, comeback victory against Israel in extra time.

The Young Lions fell behind after 40 minutes with Oliver Gloch firing Israel in front, but Callum Doyle pulled England back level on 52 minutes.

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Neither side was able to break the deadlock following the equaliser, taking the game to extra time, where England found their second wind and secured the win thanks to goals from Carney Chukwuemeka and substitute Aaron Ramsey.

In a close contest, England looked impressive against an equally strong Israel outfit, and had to dig deep to ensure they won the tournament for the second time in five years, with the last crop of under-19s winning it in 2017.

England saw off Israel in the group stages of the tournament where they won all three games without conceding a goal, but had to claw back from behind in a semi-final clash with Italy to advance to the final.

Israel, meanwhile, were able to beat France in their semi-final encounter, booking their ticket to Friday’s final and putting England to the sword in the earlier stages of the game, while the Young Lions woke up from a slow start.

Lifting such a precious trophy is an experience that none of the Young Lions in the squad will ever forget. It also makes for an exciting few years to follow, and again highlights just how much talent currently exists within the youth ranks of English football.

It must be stressed, though, that we cannot pile unnecessary pressure on this young bunch. By no means does this guarantee them a career on football’s biggest stage. The unfortunate reality is that, even at their age group, it remains incredibly difficult for all of them to carve out a career in the Premier League, for example. Regardless, it’s a moment they can cherish forever no matter what path they end up going down.

In an age where transfers are only getting more expensive, calling upon talented youth stars is often the intelligent thing to do. And with England’s latest crop of under-19s proving their talent by lifting the Euros in sublime fashion, we ought to remember the names and keep an eye on how they progress in the coming years, should they be given a chance to make a name for themselves.

With an eye on the future, here is a run down on each player that started in the XI that lifted the under-19 European Championship of 2022.

Man Utd close in on Martinez (Football Terrace)

GK: Matthew Cox – Brentford

Cox played every game except England’s group stage victory over Israel and conceded just once throughout the tournament in an impressive showing as manager Ian Foster’s clear number one.

The 19-year-old joined Brentford’s B-team from AFC Wimbledon in 2021 and made the bench 10 times in the Premier League for the first team during the 2021/22 season, following injury to David Raya. He was unfortunate not to get a full debut, but don’t be surprised if it comes in 2022/23.

CB: Ronnie Edwards – Peterborough United

Coming through the academy at Barnet before making the move to Peterborough in 2020, Edwards is certainly one to watch, having made 34 appearances in the Championship last season.

The Posh were relegated, but for Edwards to break into the side at just 19 and become a regular first team option in such a difficult league shows just how much potential he has. Definitely one to watch.

CB: Jarell Quansah – Liverpool

Captaining his club side to the FA Youth Cup final in 2021 at under-18 level, Quansah continues to grow from strength to strength and has just enjoyed a fine tournament with England.

The defender from Warrington is a leading presence in the team and played in every game throughout the tournament, scoring in the semi-final and bagging an assist in the final. He was an unused substitute twice for Liverpool‘s first team in 2021/22, and will be eyeing a full debut next season.

CB: Callum Doyle – Manchester City

Instrumental in Sunderland’s return to the Championship for 2022/23, Doyle’s loan away from City last season worked an absolute treat, and he’s carried that form into the England setup.

Playing on the left of Forest’s back three, Doyle started every game except one, scored a vital equaliser in the final, and is clearly a player that can be trusted despite being just 18. Next season is key for his development.

RWB: Daniel Oyegoke – Brentford

The second Brentford representative in the XI that started the final, Oyegoke joined the Bees from Arsenal in the summer of 2021 and has been developing in their B team ever since.

A versatile defender who can also play centrally as well as in an attacking, wing-back role, Oyegoke’s two appearances in the tournament both came against Israel.

CM: Alex Scott – Bristol City

Born and raised on the Channel Island of Guernsey, Scott headed to Bristol City in 2020 and signed professional terms a year later.

A goal in the semi-final against Italy has rounded off a tremendous breakthrough season for the 18-year-old, who made 38 appearances in the Championship and contributed to six goals.

CM: Carney Chukwuemeka – Aston Villa

Scoring the goal in the final to give England a lead in extra time will not have helped Aston Villa in their efforts to keep hold of Chukwuemeka, amid interest from top clubs. This kid looks like a star.

The 18-year-old midfielder is incredibly gifted and has ripped it up at under-19 level, also bagging a goal and an assist in the opening two group stage games. Chukwuemeka made 12 appearances for Villa last season and looks ready to take on the world next season.

LWB: Harvey Vale – Chelsea

Vale left Fulham to join Chelsea at under-13 level and has been a shining star in their academy ever since, signing professional terms in 2020 and winning their 2022 Academy Player of the Year award.

He made his Chelsea debut as a substitute in 2021 and featured again in the FA Cup in 2022. Captaining England throughout the tournament, the 18-year-old is technically gifted and versatile.

AM: Alfie Devine – Tottenham

Still just 17 years old, Devine is playing at levels well beyond his years and looks frighteningly comfortable in doing so. He opened the tournament by scoring a beauty of a goal against Austria and played every game except one.

Devine is currently Tottenham’s youngest ever debutant having featured against Marine in the FA Cup in 2021, where he also scored. His ceiling looks incredibly high.

ST: Dane Scarlett – Tottenham

Before Devine stole the record, Scarlett was Tottenham‘s youngest appearance maker following his 2020 debut, also at the age of 16. Highly rated by club and country, the forward’s brace against Serbia in the group stages were his only goals of the tournament.

Getting a spot in and amongst the first team at Spurs with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min scoring for fun will prove difficult. Scarlett has time on his side, though, and must use the experience of being around such talented players to his advantage in the coming season.

ST: Jamie Bynoe-Gittens – Borussia Dortmund

Bynoe-Gittens is so good that he had Borussia Dortmund swooping in to snatch him from Manchester City in 2020, while he was still 16 years old.

Now only 17 and turning 18 in August, he’s set to pen a new deal with the German giants following his breakthrough into the first team after a sensational run in the youth setup, scoring six goals in four UEFA Youth League games this season. The tournament wasn’t the strongest for him, but best believe we’ll be hearing his name again soon enough.