Alan Shearer: England’s Under-17 World Cup champions were a joy to behold in India tournament
SunSport columnist hails kids for bouncing back from 2-0 down to take crown against fancied Spain
WHAT a performance and what a result for England’s Under-17s.
World Champions sounds great, no matter what level you are at.
Wish I could have been one myself.
After going 2-0 behind in Saturday’s final against Spain they did not let their confidence be affected and showed great character.
But it was the sheer joy with which this group played their football that really stood out for me.
Too often at senior level pulling on the England shirt seems to bring with it a great burden.
Latest England news
You sense sometimes players are happy to get the whole experience over with and return to their clubs.
The spotlight, the weight of expectation, the criticism and the seemingly unending disappointment has dragged us down.
ALAN SHEARER Tottenham’s defeat to Manchester United means they’re probably out of title race… but Mauricio Pochettino really needs a trophy
Yet what we saw from these young lads was the enjoyment football can bring in a really pure sense.
The whole squad seemed to embrace this tournament like it was an adventure they were going to enjoy.
Their free-flowing football as they came back to win 5-2 was an absolute joy to watch.
It was the best match we saw all weekend.
On the back of the U20s World Cup triumph in June and the U19s performance in the Euros there are so many positives right now for the FA.
This has not just happened overnight.
A lot of hard work has gone into developing these players and a style of play as well.
Now of course comes the big BUT.
I don’t want to be looking at one of those ‘Where are they now?’ articles in a paper in ten years featuring all these players.
I remember winning the prestigious Toulon Tournament for England’s U21s, something the U20s also won this year, but I think only myself and David James went on to get full caps.
Of course, the FA can only do so much as we are in the hands of the managers.
From an England point of view we are all very pleased Harry Kane is doing so well with Spurs.
Let’s not forget he was held back by the signing of Roberto Soldado and had he not flopped at White Hart Lane, then who knows?
We can only hope Premier League managers are brave enough to give these players a chance... please.
These teenagers also need the right people guiding them off the pitch.
Agents who want the best for them, not themselves. They should not try and chase the money, fame, glitz and glamour that goes with football.
That will come in its own time.
What these players need to remember and cling on to, is the joy the sport itself brings them as it did on Saturday.
Let us hope those smiling faces we saw as that dramatic comeback in Kolkata was being completed are still there with the Three Lions on their chest in five years’ time.
We have proved we can beat the very best the world has to offer at this age.
If the Premier League managers and the FA can get it right there is no reason why we cannot do it at senior level in the future.