Source: FOOTYMAD
Brooking insists kids are alright for England
Trevor Brooking, the Football Associaton's director of football development, is confident there are high quality players coming through England's youth teams. A disappointing World Cup from the senior Three Lions side saw national attention turn to the next generation of players, and Brooking is convinced there is plenty of talent for supporters to look forward to. He pointed to the success of the U17 team who were crowned European Champions in the summer and are about to embark on qualifying for the U19 version. Keeping these players together is key, said Brooking, who suggested these players could go on to help England reach the latter stages of the 2018 World Cup finals. "If you are looking long term, I'd like to think we win the 2018 bid in December and this little group will be a really good one to come through over the next six to eight years and make a big impact in that tournament," he said. "We won the U17 European Championship and half of that group have been fast-tracked to the U19s because we think they are a good bunch technically who keep the ball well. "We think it will be a good challenge to see how they cope. Some of them are capable of going through the system pretty quick if they develop physically and naturally if they can get some first team football at the clubs they are that. "Some have the ability and potential to come through at senior level, that means with the U19s, U21s and the seniors - but a lot depends on first team football. The Spanish side at the World Cup all played at U17, U19 and U21s together and that is why they are blossoming at senior level.
