Teenage midfielders in the Bundesliga and the English second tier have been selected in a much-changed England squad for UEFA Nations League games against Croatia and Spain.
Two of the three newcomers to the 25-man squad are Jadon Sancho, an 18-year-old winger playing at Borussia Dortmund, and Mason Mount, who is on loan from Chelsea at second-tier Derby County. Another attacking midfielder, 21-year-old playmaker James Maddison, also received a first call-up after impressing in his first season in the Premier League at Leicester.
Since taking charge of England in November 2016, Gareth Southgate — the former coach of England Under-21s — has not been afraid to select youngsters ahead of more experienced players.
Southgate says, “Very often we hold youngsters back a bit too much … it’s a good time in their development to train with us and see how they adapt.”
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Source: The Associated Press
