With England’s U21 outfit kicking off their European Championship campaign against Sweden in Kielce, much will be expected of Aidy Boothroyd’s men after the success of their U20 counterparts in this summer’s World Cup.
The U21s will need all the firepower they can get over the next few weeks, so what better time to seek some inspiration by reflecting on glories past and examining the historical success stories of their team? Some of side’s top scorers have impressive records – even if not all of them went on to conquer the senior outfit as well.
Have a look who they are in the gallery below – and expect some imminent movement in the list if the Young Lions do indeed come good in Poland…
Alan Shearer
13 goals - joint all-time top scorer for the U21 side, preluding a run of 30 goals in 63 games for the senior side. Image Source: Twitter
Francis Jeffers
13 goals - level with Shearer, his international career did not take off in the same fashion with only a solitary appearance and goal. Image Source: Twitter
Saido Berahino
11 goals - despite injuries and a troubled club career, Berahino is one of the U21 side's biggest success stories. Image Source: Twitter
Darren Bent
Nine goals - injury problems blighted a very promising early career, but Bent is still going and knocked in 13 goals for Derby last season. Image Source: Twitter
Frank Lampard
Nine goals - and in only 19 appearances - making Lampard's goals to games ratio for a midfielder the best on this list. Image Source: Twitter
James Milner
Nine goals - his young talent was such that he turned out for the U21s over a period of six years, with a record 46 appearances. Image Source: Twitter
Nathan Redmond
Nine goals - one of the hottest U21 talents in the Premier League, and will surely build on this tally in Poland over the next couple of weeks. Image Source: Twitter
Harry Kane
Eight goals - captained the senior side against Scotland last weekend, and seems just like yesterday he was playing at this level.
Image Source: Twitter
Mark Hateley
Eight goals - the oldest player on this list, Hateley turned out for the U21s as far back as 1982. Image Source: Twitter
Carl Cort
Eight goals - another forward who promised so much as an U21, but after leaving Newcastle, he struggled at club level.
Image Source: Twitter
Mark Robins
Seven goals - scored in an impressive six appearances while turning out for Manchester United domestically. Image Source: Twitter
Shola Ameobi
Seven goals - later switched allegiances to the Nigerian senior side after struggling to breakthrough for England. Image Source: Twitter
Jermain Defoe
Seven goals - Mr Evergreen recently returned to the England senior set-up. He played U21 football 14 years ago...
Image Source: Twitter
Lewis Baker
Seven goals - won the Golden Boot at the Toulon Tournament in 2016, and been one of the side's key men in recent years.
Image Source: Twitter
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Seven goals - still only 21, he's been playing U21 football for three years now, and is the half-brother of none other than Carl Cort. Image Source: Twitter
SEE ALSO: U21 European Championship XI: The stars to watch
Without key talent Marcus Rashford – who was chosen instead by senior side manager Gareth Southgate for internationals against Scotland and France this week – it will be down to the likes of Nathan Redmond, Tammy Abraham, Demarai Gray and Lewis Baker to score the bulk of England’s goals and propel them towards a European Championship trophy that has not been won since 1984.
The eyes of the nation will be on each and every Young Lion as they look to grasp what is a fantastic opportunity to be noticed on a much bigger stage than usual. With big money transfers and first-team club appearances both potential rewards for good form in Poland, expect high levels of effort and plenty of goals – even if Alan Shearer and Francis Jeffers’ all-time record should remain untouched.
Start the discussion
Login to comment