Yesterday evening the Euro Under 21 Championship kicked off. by Dan Smith
It hasn’t received much attention in the UK, and you have to go on UEFA’s website to watch any of the games.
Other countries take these underage tournaments more seriously than England do.
Other Associations over the years have included any players who qualify for the completion no matter if they have been capped by the senior sides.
Germany and Spain had a policy of using the underage World Cups and Euros so their youngsters would garner as much experience of knock out football as possible.
Both credited their last World Cup to this philosophy, having a squad who grew up together.
The likes of Manuel Neuer, Nesta, Chillini, Hummels, Ivanovic, Lampard, Pirlo, Xavi, Ozil, Raul Totti……. All talent who used this platform to announce themselves to the World stage.
Smith Rowe has been called up by England who open their account against the Czech of Republic tonight (Thursday).
It might be a reflection of where he stands in the Arsenal pecking order that Arteta hasn’t put up any resistance to him playing this summer after a gruelling season, despite Smith Rowe having played three times under Southgate.
Our manager might feel that the next 3 weeks could be crucial to the players development.
It appears that Smith Rowe hasn’t really been trusted since surgery.
Maybe Arteta didn’t want to rush the midfielder back, and couldn’t take the gamble on his fitness during a title race, but the concern is the Spaniard feels Smith Rowe has lost something since his injury?
We all know how ruthless our boss can be once he feels you don’t suit his system.
So, Smith Rowe could use this trophy as a prop to get back in the first team at club level.
The good go missing when the pressure increases, the great step up.
Man City demonstrated that in April and May.
Arteta will be monitoring his youngster in the next month. He will want to see how he responds to the expectation.
How does he cope in an environment where he’s one of the older players and is being relied on the be one of the Three Lions best players?
Does he have the courage to demand the ball?
Does he have the bravery to attempt something special?
Does he then the take initiative when things are going wrong?
Does he have their leadership qualities to dictate to others?
Or does he hide, not making movements off the ball?
Does he just play the safe pass?
Does he shy away wanting possession?
Does he go missing the moment he faces adversity?
This could be a crucial moment In Smith Rowe’s career.
Good luck to him and Tavares at the Euros
Dan
He came on for the last 20 minutes of the game and scored a tap-in in the final minute.What does that prove?…
Last Season he was similarly not given opportunities by Arteta with preference given to Vieira (who is obviously a £35m mistake unsuited to the EPL)..As soon as West Ham suggested that he was a potential target he should have been utilised in the Rice deal to get it done early.Staying at Arsenal will do him no favours . He’s now also competing with Havertz for a chance in the team. Arsenal would be far better selling him now whilst he’s still worth a fair amount in this inflated market.
I should add that his treatment at the end of last Season was pretty shoddy and made no sense.
ESR has already proven himself to be a fantastic player and amazing contributor of goals from midfield…what does he need to prove still?
That his injury hasn’t robbed him of his powers
Last season Eddie Nketiah , Viera and Reiss Nelson were ahead of him.
Because he was injured, bit obvious that he can’t play when injured mate.
Once back MA refused to give him a fair chance and kept playing the terrible Viera. That tells you 1 thing, yet again his ego is in the way trying to prove a bad signing is actually good. Willian all over again.
Smith Rowe can play alongside Rice. He’s better than Kai Havertz. that’s a 100M player.
Arden Guler is a joy to watch and fits Arteta’s style perfectly well.