Gareth Southgate's England U21s Fuel Optimism Despite Restrictions

Gareth Southgate’s job as England under-21s manager is a difficult one. Not only is he in charge of England’s promising young generation of footballers, but also the nation’s hope for a brighter future.

A combination of the expectation, the nature of the U21s setup and deference to the senior squad make his task extremely daunting. Despite these factors, the U21s are making fantastic progress under Southgate's leadership. 

As more stars begin to emerge at younger ages and the banal formality of the senior side’s Euro 2016 qualification trundles on, attention is increasingly switching to Southgate’s side.

Ambition, excitement and optimism are rare emotions for an England fan to feel, but they are seemingly justified right now. Familiar names like Saido Berahino, Harry Kane and Eric Dier are accompanied by Championship performers like Will Hughes, Nathan Redmond and Ben Gibson.

Could these players be the generation fans are hoping for: defenders who are comfortable on the ball, midfielders of the Barcelona mould, exhilarating wingers and prolific strikers?

Southgate is the man in charge of achieving these lofty aspirations; of knitting together an ever-changing mix of youngsters into a homogeneous and successful group.

As well as dealing with increased public expectation, there are plenty of other potential hazards that could halt progress.

The inherent transiency of the under-21s can inhibit improvement. Players come and go. Not only is time a factor, but as the understudy to the senior squad the most talented players are frequently promoted. As a result Southgate is forced to continually readjust and reshape his team. Like building a sandcastle on the beach, he knows that his work will be undone once the tide comes in.

Politics also plays a part and Southgate has had to excel diplomatically. A careful step is crucial in avoiding the toes of senior squad manager Roy Hodgson and protective club managers.

In recent times Raheem Sterling, Ross Barkley, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Calum Chambers, John Stones and Luke Shaw have all been called up to Hodgson’s squad. This can be seen positively as the youth set up doing its job—developing young players for the national side. Conversely it can stunt growth if youngsters are called up before they are ready. Speaking on the BBC’s Football Focus recently, Southgate admitted that “some of our players have gone up earlier than you would have hoped.”

His predecessor Stuart Pearce was even more damning, quoted by Sky Sports as saying, “Once they go through the golden ivory towers of the seniors they don’t want to come and play with the under-21s anymore.”  

With the positivity and progress now being shown by the U21s, maybe that will change and English football will benefit as a result. Many have pointed to the Spanish model in which players are kept in the youth set-up for as long as possible to build relationships on and off the pitch.

If Shaw’s eagerness playing for the U21s against Croatia recently is anything to go by, then it seems we are going the right way about it.

The debate will continue as to whether players like Sterling, Barkley, Stones and even Jack Wilshere should drop down and represent the U21s. From the success shown over an unbeaten qualifying period, they may not need them.

Southgate has done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances. So far he has overseen a period of success while carefully juggling a mixture of players, aspirations, commitments and maintaining a compromise with the senior squad.

It has not been easy, but 10 straight wins have secured qualification for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals and a lucrative new deal until 2017 for Southgate, per The Guardian.

Despite the restrictions of the squad, important debates are being had, people are taking notice and optimism abounds. 

Southgate may be fostering the future of the England national team.