Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has attacked the decision to allow Marcus Rashford to miss the European Under-21 Championships this summer.
The Spaniard was speaking ahead of the start of the tournament in Poland, and is disappointed not to see the best possible talents for each nation selected.
Bellerin moved to slam the decision for Rashford to miss out on the competition due to his responsibilities in the senior side, citing the his country’s former Under-21 players David De Gea, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata as players who won the competition, before going onto World Cup glory with the senior side.
The right-back said: “If Marcus Rashford is ready for England then he should play.
“Sometimes taking it slowly, taking a player through the paces is the best way to keep him wanting more.”
He added: “You can see so many players who people think could be in the first team, like [Marco] Asensio at Real Madrid and Saul [Niguez], who has played more than a 100 games for Atletico.
“It’s a great approach because it humbles you. If you want to be in the first team you have to show how much you’re worth at Under-21 level. “In the first team there’s a lot of great players. What player are you taking out?
“People like Juan Mata, David de Gea and Ander Herrera have won this competition and know what it’s like. They’ve moved into the first team, winning the Euros and the World Cup.”
Bellerin’s comments are quoted from before England opened the tournament with a stalemate against Sweden, in which Jordan Pickford had to save a penalty to keep the scoreline level at 0-0.
The Spaniard’s team are favourites for the tournament, and looking at their squad list, you can see why.
Would Rashford have made the difference for England yesterday? Is the Under-21 tournament under-rated by England more than other nations?
Pat J
This comment is not related to the article. However, I must say that of all the Arsenal and Gooner sites and blogs out there, justarsenal.com is tops. Great blogs and discussions. Thank you for your website. As a Gooner in the United States, your site makes it fun and easy to follow my team and get all the breaking stories. Many thanks. Cheers.
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Absolutely ? And by Far the Greatest Arsenal Blog, the World has Ever Seen ??? Big ups to Admin & crew ???
Agreed.
Bellerin is absolutely correct.. Rashford will never win the senior men’s worldcup and European champion so he should’ve grabbed his only chance of winning an international trophy which in itself would be a surprise.
Fork Rashford, The Ox is about to quit Arsenal ? ? Wenger took to long to offer him a new contract and he’s got the hump, his off lol ??
Any idea what Liverpool will offer us for Ox?
Previous reports were suggesting £40 million yet Arsenal value him at £25-30 million ?? Its beyond jokes how the club devalue our own players.
What has this got to do with ARSENAL?
Ox is a big player no need to sell him
You missed the point mate, Arsenal are dragging their feet in renewing the Ox’s contract and the player is pissed off about this, he feels as if the club don’t value him as a big player. He now wants out!
Bellerin for feature captain, he said very strong and wise words,
The way England treat the under 21’s is a joke!!! No wonder the seniors always choke at competitions and develop at a much slower rate compared to Spain, Germany, etc.
I don’t see the point in Rashford missing this competition just to play a game or 2 with the seniors?! Both games were disappointing and wouldn’t of helped his development as much as playing at the under 21 euros