Exciting Squad Of Youngsters Gives Hope For Future
WEST HAM'S rising star Joe Cole and Chelsea's rapidly emerging defender Jon Harley have been included in the England Under-21 squad for the friendly international with Argentina at Craven Cottage next Tuesday.
Harley started the campaign as a reserve midfielder at Stamford Bridge but was converted last autumn into a left-back - and is now a first team regular. His transformation has been helped by the lengthy injury absence of Graeme le Saux as well as Celestine Babayaro being on African Nations Cup duty with Nigeria.
Harley, 20, made his first start of the season against Sunderland in December but has been in the team for Chelsea's last seven matches.
Cole is recognised as one of England's brightest hopes and has already trained with the senior squad. After being carefully nurtured by Harry Redknapp, he is a regular first team player for the Hammers.
England coach Kevin Keegan has already admitted that the Euro 2000 finals will not come too soon for Cole who seems certain to make his Under-21 debut against the Argentinians.
The other newcomer to the squad is Middlesbrough striker Andy Campbell who held the distinction of being the youngest player to play in the Premiership as a 16-year-old during the 1995-96 campaign. He has been a first team regular at the Riverside Stadium since Christmas and has been the only player to find the net for Bryan Robson's struggling side in 2000 to date.
England Under-21: Ball (Everton), Bowyer, Bridges (both Leeds), Campbell (Middlesbrough), Carragher (Liverpool), Chadwick (Man Utd), Cole (West Ham), Cort (Wimbledon), Curtis (Man Utd), Griffin (Newcastle), Harley (Chelsea), Hendrie (Aston Villa), Jeffers (Everton), Johnson (Derby), Lampard (West Ham), Mills (Leeds), Naylor (Wolves), Robinson, Smith (Leeds), Taylor (Arsenal), Weaver (Man City), Woodgate (Leeds), Young (Tottenham).
Argentina Under-21: Caballero (Boca) and Orion (San Lorenzo); Burdisso (Boca), Grabinski (Newell's), Arca (Argentinos), Guidi (Gimnasia), and Pantusso (Banfield); D'Alessandro (River), Veron (San Lorenzo), Santana (San Lorenzo), Zubeldia (Lanus), Rivero (Chacarita), Rodríguez (Newell's); Obolo (Velez), Rosales (Newell's) and Herrera (Boca).
