Young Southampton stars help England Under-21’s progress
By Chris Hughes
England’s Young Lions have reached the final four of the European Championship, with a little help from two Saints stars.
James Ward-Prowse and Nathan Redmond both featureed for the England Under-21’s as they defeated Poland’s respective side 3-0 to progress to the semi-finals.
Demarai Gray’s goal was the difference between the two sides at half time, as his deflected shot bettered the Polish stopper early on.
The 45th-minute mark turned out to be the end of the game for Saints star Nathan Redmond, but he was interestingly replaced by rumoured target Jacob Murphy.
It’s believed that Southampton will be challenged by three other Premier League clubs in the race for the 22-year-old, who’s stock may of risen after he added to the Young Lions’ lead just before the 70th minute.
But one Saints target who didn’t have a highly successful afternoon was Jan Bednarek, who was sent off for a second yellow card after bringing down Tammy Abraham inside the box late on.
Abraham, who has recently returned to parent club Chelsea, had barely been on the pitch long after replacing Saints star James Ward-Prowse, who had enjoyed a solid game for the Young Lions.
However fellow Southampton players Jack Stephens and Matt Targett would only watch on from the bench, with neither featuring in the side’s games against Sweden or Slovakia over the past six days either.
The other group winners mean England are in good company for their first-placed finish, with Germany and Spain’s under-21 sides progressing as the victors in their respective groups.
Slovakia U-21’s – who finished second to England in Group A – progress as the fourth team into the semi-finals based on their ranking.