Source: Team_Talk
FA welcomes Prem co-operation
Aston Villa's Nathan Delfouneso and four Spurs players have been included in England's squad for this month's European Under-19 Championships.[LNB] Two weeks ago, the FA's director of football development Sir Trevor Brooking expressed his concern about coach Noel Blake being able to name his strongest squad for the finals in Normandy because of a club-versus-country conflict.[LNB]At a time when Brooking has been stressing the importance of youth football as England look to recover from their dismal performances at the World Cup, the Under-19s were seen as a litmus test of whether England's senior outfits would be willing to make the changes required to bring about improvement on the international front.[LNB]There had been fears that Spurs in particular might not be too happy at losing four of their young players at such a key point of the pre-season campaign.[LNB]However, following discussions between Brooking and Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, the quartet - John Bostock, Stephen Caulker, Dean Parrett and Andros Townsend - will all make the trip to France, along with Delfouneso, who has been given Martin O'Neill's blessing.[LNB]"There has been a positive level of co-operation from clubs and the squad will meet up as planned on Monday 12 July before departing for France later that week," said an FA spokesman.[LNB]The one player missing out who was expected to be called up is Blackburn's promising defender Phil Jones.[LNB]Yet that move is purely due to the influence of Stuart Pearce, who wants to include Jones in his squad for the Under-21 international with Uzbekistan at Ashton Gate on August 10, when Jack Rodwell and Jack Wilshere may also be involved.[LNB]"It's the best against the best and that has got to be better than a few pre-season games," said Brooking.[LNB]Contrary to reports, Redknapp insists he never had any issue with letting his youngsters gain international experience.[LNB]"It is a great honour to play for your country and we wouldn't want to stop them from playing," he said.[LNB]England will travel to Normandy on July 15 for games against Austria, Holland and France.[LNB]Brooking said: "To be fair to the clubs, the timing of the tournament is a bit tricky but it really is the only slot available to UEFA.[LNB]"Any later in the season and the player release issue would be just as hard. I think the clubs appreciate that now."[LNB]The progress of Germany in South Africa has concentrated minds given the emergence of Mesut Ozil, Thomas Muller, Sami Khedira and Manuel Neuer, who are now starring for the senior side after first catching the eye at youth-team level.[LNB]"These tournaments are the only way to really benchmark our players," said Brooking. "There really is no substitute for tournament football.[LNB]"If you look at the recent winners of this tournament you will see that Spain, France, Portugal and Germany are the big four, so there is a link to what happens in the seniors."
