England name ‘strongest U21 squad in history’ as fans say ‘would beat the senior team’ after controversial Tuchel picks
ARSENAL teen Ethan Nwaneri has been given his first England Under-21s call-up – with fans saying the Young Lions would “turn over” Thomas Tuchel’s controversial senior squad.
The Gunners forward, 17, has been bumped up by boss Lee Carsley for friendlies against France and Portugal this month.
Nwaneri has made a stunning impact for such a young player under Mikel Arteta this season, with eight goals in all competitions, and was even touted for a senior call-up.
The Gunners academy graduate had previously represented England to Under-19 level, meaning he is skipping past the Elite League squad level to the U21s.
Also included in Carsley’s squad for the first time are goalkeeper Teddy Sharman-Lowe, on loan at Doncaster from Chelsea, Burnley defender CJ Egan-Riley and Sunderland’s Dennis Cirkin.
Rico Lewis, Jarrad Branthwaite and Taylor Harwood-Bellis return to the U21s squad having been called up to the seniors in November for Carsley’s final camp as interim manager.
Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton returns having been left out in November following surgery to a groin injury.
Palace were reluctant for Wharton to be called up once more as he continues to manage his fitness.
Carsley has named a strong squad for the final break before England head to Slovakia to defend their U21 Euros title.
Ipswich trio Jaden Philogene, Omari Hutchinson and Liam Delap are part of a formidable forward line alongside Nwaneri.
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Jobe Bellingham, Archie Gray and Harvey Elliott have all received call-ups in midfield, as well as Wharton and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott.
And a hoard of fans have reacted by suggesting the Young Lions would beat Thomas Tuchel’s senior squad after a controversial set of picks from the new boss.
One fan, writing on X, said: “Reckon that beats the senior team.”
Another said: “The whole of that midfield is better than Henderson or Lewis-Skelly.”
A third added: “At least 7/8 of those will be at the World Cup.”
One ranted: “You could probably make a case for like 6-7 of these in the seniors.”
And another concluded: “This team would turn over Tuchel’s lads.”
This fan also asked: “Why’s this squad arguably better than the first team?”