NOT only are we entrusting them to develop our super kids, but now we are nicking their top talents off them too.
Bayern Munich wunderkind Jamal Musiala was born in Stuttgart and did not move to England until he was seven.
Jamal Musiala celebrates bagging the third goal as he enjoyed a brilliant first start for the Three Lions U-21s, in a 5-0 win vs AlbaniaCredit: Reuters
Bayern teenager Jamal Musiala capped a fine first-half display for England with this goal before Eddie Nketiah netted twice after the breakCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Yet the 17-year-old appears to have committed his international future to England, or so said Germany’s head of academy coaching last week.
And based on the attacking midfielder’s thrilling first Under-21s start, it could be a heck of a coup for Gareth Southgate going forward.
Musiala was excellent, as were all of Aidy Boothroyd’s Young Lions, in this demolition of Albania to round off an almost perfect Euro qualifying campaign.
A flawless first-half performance saw Musiala hit a fine third after close pal Callum Hudson-Odoi and James Justin had struck.
Record-scorer Eddie Nketiah completed the rout with his 15th and 16th Under-21s goals after the break, though he also missed a penalty.
Hudson-Odoi is two-and-a-half years older than Musiala but they attended the same swanky private school in Croydon and played together in Chelsea’s youth system.
Musiala left the Blues for Munich last summer, with Hudson-Odoi’s brother Bradley his agent.
He followed a similar path to Borussia Dortmund pair Jadon Sancho and Jude Bellingham – with whom he co-captained the England Under-17s – albeit with less fanfare.
Chelsea attacker Callum Hudson-Odoi slots England in front vs AlbaniaCredit: PA:Press Association
Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah rounds off a 5-0 win by completing his second-half braceCredit: Reuters
And after impressing boss Hansi Flick during Bayern’s treble-winning season, he has broken into the first team, making eight appearances and scoring two goals this term.
Derby’s Lee Buchanan and Doncaster keeper Josef Bursik also made their first starts here alongside Musiala.
But defender Rhys Williams was ruled out through injury, adding to Liverpool’s crock woes.
It was a relatively old head that got the ball rolling though as Hudson-Odoi ran at a retreating defence from wide and found the corner, thanks in part to some weak goalkeeping.
From then on Hudson-Odoi tormented Alabina’s backline, and poor right-back Albion Marku in particular, with his pace and skill.
The Chelsea wideman had fared well against Andorra but he was electric here, suggesting he may finally be back to his best after that horrible Achilles injury.
Buchanan may not be a well-known name in Derby yet, let alone the rest of the country.
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But the way the 19-year-old, who came to the professional game late, is rapidly progressing it may not be long until he has outgrown the struggling Rams.
He caught the eye here as he set up the second in 27 minutes, racing down the left and firing in a cross which opposite wing-back Justin blasted home.
Leicester ace Justin spoke in the build-up of how Ben Chilwell took him under his wing last season at the King Power.
This finish had all the hallmarks of a crisp Chilwell strike – albeit with his right foot.
Then came the time for Musiala to step up.
The former Germany Under-16 international exchanged passes with Oliver Skipp before confidently lifting the ball over Molla.
Albania’s confidence was shot and England piled on the misery after the break as captain Nketiah’s low strike made it four.
He then saw a spotkick saved that he himself had won, but made up for it soon after when finding the corner for five.
Boothroyd’s side can look back on a fine campaign where the only points they dropped came in last month’s shock 3-3 draw in Andorra.
Yet, as the ex-Watford boss well knows, the real test begins in March when the Euros kick off.
Musiala will hope to be involved. England fans should be delighted that he can be.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
