Ex-Arsenal academy star praises Lee Carsley after Young Lions EUROs breakthrough against Spain | OneFootball

Former Arsenal academy graduate Brooke Norton-Cuffy says Lee Carsley’s man-management skills is the reason why England Under-21 are peaking at the right time at the European Championships.

The Young Lions progressed to their second consecutive Under-21 European Championships semi-final after they defeated Spain 3-1 thanks to goals from James McAtee, Harvey Elliott and Elliot Anderson secured a superb victory for Carsley’s side.

Norton-Cuffy, who was a second half substitute against the Spanish, has yet to start in the tournament, but credited Carsley for ensuring his side are a united front, especially after a difficult start to the competition.

“He’s very, very good at making everyone feel involved,” Norton-Cuffy said. “In tournament football, you bring a lot of people and everyone can’t play, but you know you’re still a massive part of it.

“We’re seeing that now, a lot of subs are coming on, and making a big impact and changing the game. He emphasises that a lot and for us just to stick together, keep our heads.

“His man-management is very good. I wasn’t involved in a few of the earlier campaigns. He’ll take the time to give me a ring and tell me to just keep going and say ‘you’re doing well’ and ‘you’ve been a big part’ and that I’ll get my chance.”

After a mixed group stages, which saw them draw 0-0 to Slovenia and lose 2-1 to fellow semi-finalists Germany, the Genoa full back says the victory against their 2023 final opponents was a marker of what this side is capable of.

“On Saturday you saw what we can do and what we’re capable of doing.

“We didn’t, I’ll say steamroll the group stage, there were a lot of ups and downs but you still saw glimpses of what we can do. It was just about being ruthless and putting chances in the back of the net.

“We did that a bit better against Spain. We had loads of chances and it’s coming. We feel like we’re really gonna do well.

“We knew what we were capable of and we still know what we’re capable of. The belief in the group is very high.

“We have a bunch of talented boys and we always stick together. I don’t feel us England boys go into any game feeling like underdogs because we know what we’re capable of.”