MASON GREENWOOD has been recalled to the England Under-21s for their upcoming Euros at the end of this month.
The Manchester United forward, 19, has not been involved for his country at any level since he was sent home in disgrace from the senior squad in September.
Mason Greenwood has been named in England’s Under-21s squad having not been involved at any level since his Iceland shame in SeptemberCredit: Reuters
Arsenal ace Emile Smith Rowe has received his first call-up to the England Under-21sCredit: AP:Associated Press
That was after he and fellow Manchester City whizkid Phil Foden broke coronavirus guidelines by inviting two girls back to their hotel room while on international duty in Iceland.
Foden has gone on to regain his place in Gareth Southgate’s team after a fine campaign for table-topping City.
But Greenwood has struggled for form at United, scoring just one Premier League goal this term.
He has four Under-21s caps to his name and will hope to regain some form and confidence while with Aidy Boothroyd’s squad in Slovenia.
Greenwood is joined in the squad by Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal, PSV’s Noni Madueke and Cheltenham loan goalkeeper Josh Griffiths – all of whom have received their first call-ups.
There is no place for Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham, though it remains to be seen whether that is due to travel restrictions in Germany or because Southgate wants him in his senior squad.
Due to Covid condensing the club seasons, the group stage of this year’s Euros has been brought forward to the end of March.
England face Switzerland in Koper on March 25, Portugal on March 28 in Llubljana and Croatia back in Koper on March 31.
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ENGLAND UNDER-21s: Full squad
Goalkeepers: Josef Bursik (Stoke), Josh Griffiths (Cheltenham, on loan from West Brom), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheff Utd)
Defenders: Max Aarons (Norwich), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Marc Guehi (Swansea, on loan from Chelsea), Lloyd Kelly (Bournemouth), Ryan Sessegnon (Hoffenheim, on loan from Spurs), Steven Sessegnon (Bristol City, on loan from Fulham), Japhet Tanganga (Spurs), Ben Wilmot (Watford)
Midfielders: Tom Davies (Everton), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (West Brom, on loan from Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Dwight McNeil (Burnley), Oliver Skipp (Norwich, on loan from Spurs)
Forwards: Rhian Brewster (Sheff Utd), Mason Greenwood (Man Utd), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Noni Madueke (PSV), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal)
Should they progress, they will compete in the knockout stages, which take place between May 31 to June 6.
Boss Boothroyd said: “I am excited by this group – not just in their ability but also their togetherness and team spirit – and know they will do everything they can to make the country proud.
“I am grateful to Gareth for his support with what we are trying to achieve, and also to the clubs for recognising the importance of these finals.
“We want to win every time we play and will do all we can to reach the knockout stage.
“But this is also a crucial opportunity for providing valuable experience on and off the pitch that will help the players, their clubs and England in future.”
With Europe’s elite nations taking part – England are in Group D with Portugal, Croatia and Switzerland – the Young Lions will ultimately be aiming to become the first England side to lift the trophy in 37 years.
Although England are appearing in an eighth successive Under-21 finals, they have only made it out of the group stage on three occasions in that run.
Aidy Boothroyd has revealed the reasoning for England finally welcoming Greenwood back into the set-upCredit: Getty Images – Getty
On Greenwood’s inclusion, Boothroyd said: “We’re speaking to the club on a regular basis.
“We just felt as an organisation that Mason is going to be a key player in the future and we wanted to get him into this tournament, get some games into him and know what it’s like to be at a tournament.
“He’s got some great experiences already with his club, playing in the Champions League and the Europa League.
“He’s getting plenty of opportunities but we felt it was the right thing for him to come with us.
“He is an outstanding player. It’s an opportunity for him to get some games with us.
“We treat every player as an individual and we think very carefully when and where we pick them.
“Clearly in Mason’s situation, it was right that he wasn’t right to play for his country and to stay where he was.
“That period of time has done him the world of good, he’s getting more minutes there.
“That’s a positive thing. We hope he can continue that with us.”
Mason Greenwood admits he wants to be Man Utd’s centre forward
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
