LEE CARSLEY revealed Callum Hudson-Odoi turned down the chance of a call-up to his maiden England Under-21s squad.
While Mason Greenwood is deemed a senior player – despite not being in Gareth Southgate’s latest camp – and so not considered for Under-21 selection.
Carsley, who succeeded Aidy Boothroyd earlier this summer, named a number of teenagers in his first squad who will play Romania in a friendly in Bucharest on Friday before a Euro qualifier against Kosovo at MK Dons a week on Tuesday.
They included Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott, 18, Manchester City midfielder Cole Palmer, 19, and Southampton full-back Tino Livramento, 18.
But there was no inclusion of Chelsea ace Hudson-Odoi, who opted to stay with his club during the upcoming international window as he bids to impress Thomas Tuchel.
Carsley, 47, said: “Callum is a player we really like. I’ve had some really good conversations with him and his advisor and Callum felt that it wasn’t the right time for him at the minute to come with England.
“He’s stayed back at Chelsea to work on his development there. I respected that decision.”
Manchester United flyer Mason Greenwood, 19, was eligible for the Under-21s after his surprise omission from Southgate’s latest squad.
But Carsley explained: “I’ve got brilliant communication with Gareth and he made it clear in the press conference Mason is probably on a different journey to the one the Under-21s are on so he is seen now as a senior player and he is doing really well.”
Saint Etienne goalkeeper Etienne Green was also handed his first call-up after it was discovered he was eligible for England, having been born here before moving to France aged four.
Boothroyd labelled the England Under-21s manager role as “the utterly impossible job” for how hard it is to square being successful at major tournaments with producing players for the senior team.
The ex-Watford chief brought through plenty of starlets like Phil Foden and Jack Grealish but exited two consecutive Under-21s Euros at the group stage.
Carsley said the priority remains developing talent for Southgate’s side but is eyeing tournament glory at the same time.
The ex-Republic of Ireland international added: “Our main target will always be to support the seniors but if you’re asking… ultimately I want the players to win something with the 21s.”
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ENGLAND U21 SQUAD
LEE CARSLEY’S squad in full:
Goalkeepers: Josef Bursik (Stoke), Etienne Green (St Etienne), Josh Griffiths (Lincoln, on loan from West Brom).
Defenders: Max Aarons (Norwich), Charlie Cresswell (Leeds), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Anderlecht, on loan from Man City), Tino Livramento (Southampton), Levi Samuels Colwill (Huddersfield, on loan from Chelsea), Ryan Sessegnon (Spurs), Luke Thomas (Leicester).
Midfielders: Tommy Doyle (Man City), Conor Gallagher (Crystal Palace, on loan from Chelsea), James Garner (Nottingham Forest, on loan from Man Utd), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Cole Palmer (Man City), Jacob Ramsey (Aston Villa), Oliver Skipp (Spurs).
Forwards: Folarin Balogun (Arsenal), Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United), Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Tyreece John-Jules (Blackpool, on loan from Arsenal), Noni Madueke (PSV), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal).
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
