Winning is becoming a bit of a habit. If you haven't been paying attention to the England under 21 football squad lately, you’ve missed a total transformation of the national setup. Gone are the days when the "Young Lions" were just a collection of talented individuals who'd eventually get knocked out on penalties by a more organized European side.
They are the kings of Europe. Twice over.
After that historic 2023 win where James Trafford saved a last-minute penalty, the 2025 cohort went and did it again. They beat Germany 3–2 in a white-knuckle final in Bratislava last summer. Now, as we move through the 2026 qualifying campaign, the faces have changed, but the dominance hasn't.
Honestly, the depth is almost ridiculous. You've got players like Ethan Nwaneri and Jobe Bellingham—names that would walk into most senior national teams—still eligible and hungry for more at the U21 level. It’s a conveyor belt that doesn't seem to have an "off" switch.
The Post-Lee Carsley Identity
We have to talk about the "Carsley Effect." Even though Lee Carsley moved up to the senior job to bridge the gap for Thomas Tuchel, his fingerprints are all over this U21 team. He turned them into a ball-dominant, aggressive machine. Ben Futcher has taken the reins since then, and he hasn't missed a beat.
Futcher isn't just a placeholder. He’s a guy who knows the FA system inside out. Standing at 6ft 7in, he’s a literal giant on the touchline, but his coaching is all about technical nuance. He’s kept that 4-3-3 "defending from the front" style that makes England so miserable to play against.
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Look at the results from late 2025. A 4–0 demolition of Slovakia. A clinical 2–0 win over the Republic of Ireland. They aren't just winning; they are suffocating teams.
Who are the Big Hitters in 2026?
The current England under 21 football squad is a weird mix of established Premier League stars and "wonderkids" who are just about to explode.
Jobe Bellingham is probably the name on everyone’s lips. Now at Borussia Dortmund—following a path that worked out pretty well for his brother—he’s taken over the captaincy. He brings a physical presence to the midfield that the U21s haven't had in years. He’s 6ft 3in, carries the ball like a gazelle, and has that same "Bellingham" mentality where he simply refuses to lose.
Then there is Ethan Nwaneri.
The Arsenal kid is the creative heartbeat. He’s already lighting up the stat sheets with goals and assists in the Euro 2027 qualifiers. Watching him turn in tight spaces is a joke; it’s like he’s playing a different sport.
The Backline and the "New" Goalies
One area where England looks surprisingly solid is at the back. Rico Lewis and Lewis Hall have been the veteran presences, despite still being eligible for this age group. Having full-backs who can play as inverted midfielders is basically a cheat code at the U21 level.
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- James Beadle: The Brighton keeper (on loan at Sheffield Wednesday) has been the steady hand between the posts.
- Ashley Phillips: A mountain of a center-back who has been dominant in the air during recent qualifiers.
- Josh Acheampong: The Chelsea youngster is the one to watch. His pace allows England to play a high line that would be suicidal with slower defenders.
It's not all about the big names, though. Guys like Sydie Peck at Sheffield United and Lewis Miley at Newcastle are the ones doing the dirty work. They allow the flair players like Jamie Gittens and Tyler Dibling to actually do their thing.
What's Next on the Calendar?
The road to the 2027 European Championships is already well underway. England is currently sitting pretty at the top of Group D, but the schedule for 2026 is where things get interesting.
The squad heads to Andorra on March 27, followed by a home game against Moldova on March 31. These look like "easy" games on paper, but these are the matches where the squad depth gets tested. We’ll likely see some of the younger U19 players getting a call-up to see if they can handle the step up.
Later in the year, the real tests come. September and October see return fixtures against Kazakhstan and Slovakia. If England maintains their current form, they’ll have qualification sewn up with games to spare.
The Reality of the "Golden Generation" Label
We’ve heard the term "Golden Generation" before. It usually ends in heartbreak. But this feels different because the success is already tangible. Winning back-to-back Euros isn't a fluke.
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However, there is a catch. The better these players perform, the faster they get "stolen" by the senior team. It’s the ultimate double-edged sword for an U21 manager. You want your players to progress, but losing your best striker or midfielder three weeks before a major tournament is a nightmare.
Right now, the focus is on the 2027 cycle. The target is a "three-peat"—something that has never been done in the modern era of the U21 Euros.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Scouts
If you're following the England under 21 football squad this year, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Dortmund Connection: Keep an eye on Jamie Gittens and Jobe Bellingham. The Bundesliga is where English talent is currently being refined into world-class material.
- Don't Sleep on Tyler Dibling: He’s becoming the X-factor for this team. His ability to beat players one-on-one is something England has lacked in previous iterations of the squad.
- Track the 2027 Qualifiers: Use the official England Football portal to check for tickets to home games. They often play at smaller stadiums like St. Andrew's or Pride Park, which offers a much better atmosphere for seeing these kids up close.
- Monitor Loan Moves: Most of the U21 squad will be on loan in the Championship or abroad. Check their "minutes played" stats; a player who isn't starting for their club is unlikely to keep their spot in this highly competitive national setup.
The current trajectory suggests that the senior team's future is in very safe hands. The gap between the youth levels and the senior squad has never been smaller, and that is exactly why England is finally winning trophies again.
Keep an eye on the March fixtures. By then, we’ll know exactly which of these players are ready to make the jump to the world stage.