Chelsea stars shine, young Lions hang on to their lead vs France U19s

England U19s registered a 2-1 win in their first group stage match at the U19 Euros vs France U19s. Chelsea youngsters including Dominic Solanke and Fikayo Tomori shone.

In a summer that has been a disappointment for the England National team, causing huge uproar over a supposed lack of quality and talent in the country, the English youth teams seem to offer plenty of evidence to contradict that. The England U21s won the Toulon tournament in a very convincing fashion with several Chelsea youngsters having played a key role in the team.

It remains to be seen whether a dismal Euro 2016 turnout for the senior team can be bookended by two successful trophy runs from the youngsters. The England U19s faced off vs France in their first group stage match in this year’s U19 Euros tournament.

Fikayo Tomori started in defense while Izzy Brown and Dominic Solanke were part of the front three in England’s 4-3-3 set-up. Tammy Abraham was on the bench as Liverpool’s Sheyi Ojo completed England’s attack.

Izzy Brown and Dom Solanke have been fixtures in this particular group of players and they were a part of the England team that won the U17 Euros a couple of years ago. Solanke was the joint top scorer at that tournament with four goals.

Since then, Tammy Abraham has joined them as a regular along with Jake Clarke-Salter, who missed out this summer due to injury. Fikayo Tomori was called up to replace Clarke-Salter in the squad on the back of his phenomenal run of form at the heart of a Chelsea backline which won the UEFA Youth League and the FA Youth Cup.

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It was a surprise not to see the trio of Izzy, Dom and Tammy start up front because they have such great chemistry. This attacking trio was one of the most potent at their age group in the country and Europe as evidenced by their FA Cup and Youth Cup winning run from a couple of seasons ago.

Nonetheless, Sheyi Ojo was a key feature in England’s fast and furious start to the game. Within three minutes his low driven cross was turned in by French defender Michelin at the near post. He later set up Dom Solanke’s first goal of the tournament which the forward finished with aplomb.

After the fast start, however, England tailed off as France started to get more of a foothold in the game. They started to pen England into their own half which severely limited the influence of the three forwards and put the onus on the midfield and defense to pass their way out of trouble from the back.

Tomori made several key interceptions and blocks displaying his ability to read the game and was one of the key reasons as to why England were able to hang on to their lead. However, England were still a potent threat on the counter because of the pace and physicality of the front three.

The match followed this pattern with some great technique on show, if not the best organization in defense from either team. As the first half wore on, France grew more and more into the game and scored from a well worked set-piece. Jean-Kevin Augustin, who was part of the PSG team the Chelsea U19s beat on their way to European glory last season volleyed in from within the box.

England goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was called upon more times than would be comfortable in the match as England held on to their slender lead in the second half.

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At the 65th minute mark, Tammy Abraham was introduced in place of Sheyi Ojo and immediately got himself into a one-on-one situation after a smart exchange with Solanke. His shot, though, was straight at the goalkeeper.

This was the first notable chance England had created since scoring their second goal and it would have all but sealed the outcome. In the dying minutes of the match, the French team were becoming more and more desperate which led to a few flash points on the pitch but England successfully defended their lead and took all three points.

There was a lot of talent on display from both sides, but Tomori had a standout game in defense. He wasn’t afraid to step up and intercept or move forward with the ball to get attacks started. It didn’t always pan out but his confidence and willingness to do so were clearly evident.

Izzy Brown started the game well but faded as the match wore on. He also failed to track his fullback at times which caused England a lot of trouble. He was taken off late in the match but not before showing his strengths and weaknesses.

He is a modern wide forward. Strong in the air but happy to play to feet, with good technique, good strength and intelligent. However, he can get a little complacent in games and needs to maintain his effort levels throughout the game.

Solanke worked hard throughout the game and showed off his skill and pace to good effect. Having said that, he was still brushed off the ball far too easily at times and he needs to improve upon that. He did take his chance and his goal in the end was the difference between both teams.

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The win puts England in second position in the group, behind Netherlands on goal difference whom they will face in the next round of matches.