Charlie Cresswell has been named in the England Under-21 squad for their upcoming U21 European Championship qualifiers. Lee Carsley’s side will face Czech Republic, Albania, Kosovo and Slovenia in an 11-day period between June 3 and June 13.
Unfortunately, there is no place for Joe Gelhardt who was called up to the squad to replace Noni Madueke back in October. Sam Greenwood might also feel aggrieved to have missed out considering he scored in his only appearance for the U21s against Georgia in November.
Cody Drameh may too have been expecting a call-up after a brilliant second half to the season on loan with Cardiff where he was awarded their Player of the Season award. Although, with the quality of the players above him in the pecking order internationally and his only previous call-up coming as a result of an injury to Tino Livramento, he should perhaps not be too disappointed to have missed out.
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Despite their potential individual frustrations, all three will be happy to see Cresswell involved again for England. It is the fifth time the 19-year-old has been included in the squad and, with just two caps so far, he will be keen to add to his tally.
It seems likely that he will play some part in at least one of the four although, without an appearance for Leeds since the last U21 camp, he might have to settle for a place on the bench again. His competition in the centre-back position is provided by Chelsea’s Levi Colwill (who has been on loan at Huddersfield Town this season), Manchester City’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Bournemouth’s James Hill.
Meanwhile, Kalvin Phillips was included in Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad announcement on Tuesday while Diego Llorente has been called up for Spain as a replacement for the injured Aymeric Laporte. Liam Cooper and Dan James have been called up for Scotland and Wales respectively for the World Cup play-offs and Mateusz Klich will also be in international over the next few weeks as he is in the Poland squad.
