Northern Ireland Under-21s manager Tommy Wright expects his team to be up against it when they face England’s U21s in a Euro qualifier in Ballymena later today.
He joked the England squad is “worth at least three quarters of a billion (pounds)”, adding that it is packed with quality players who play in the likes of the Premier League, Bundesliga and EFL Championship.
The U21s boss said the U21 Euro 2025 qualifier at the Showgrounds (7.45pm kick-off) represents a huge challenge for his side, but he pointed out: “You play football to be able to play against the best and they’re certainly the best underage team in Europe.”
And he added: “I am looking forward to it. I am excited for the players to be given an opportunity to test themselves against a really good side.”
Back in November the U21s were beaten 3-0 by England in the reverse fixture at Goodison Park in Liverpool.
Wright said there were positives in that game. “We know the areas where we have got to get better against them,” he pointed out.
He is hoping Northern Ireland fans will get fully behind the U21 team in Ballymena. Around 2,500 tickets have already been sold and tickets are still on sale at irishfa.com/tickets.
Northern Ireland’s U21s currently sit fourth in Group F, while Ukraine top the group with six wins out of six. Reigning European champions England also have 18 points – from seven games. They were defeated 3-2 by the Ukrainians last October.
In their most recent outing, back in March, Wright’s side produced a fine display to defeat Serbia 2-1 in a Euro qualifier played at the Gradski Stadion in Dubocica.
Lee Carsley was the boss of England’s U21s when the sides met in November, however he is now in interim charge of the England senior men’s team following the departure of Gareth Southgate – and Ben Futcher has taken on the role of interim head coach of England’s U21s.
Futcher has called up Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jack Hinshelwood and Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson to the U21s for the first time.
His squad also includes the likes of Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah, Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, Newcastle United full-back Lewis Hall, Borussia Dortmund forward Jamie Gittens, Marseille midfielder Jonathan Rowe and Aston Villa striker Morgan Rogers.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton and Liverpool attacking midfielder Harvey Elliott, who tormented the Northern Ireland defence in November, have both withdrawn from the England squad.
Northern Ireland’s U21s, meanwhile, will be back in action in Ballymena next week when they face current Group F table toppers Ukraine. That game on Tuesday (10 September) will also kick off at 7.45pm.
The U21s will complete their Group F campaign with matches against Azerbaijan (home; venue TBC) and Luxembourg (away) in October.
U21s train ahead of game v England
