Ron_Justice
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Ron_Justice
Thought I would dig up the side I saw play the first official game at the new wembley back in 2007
Someone did a ten years on how they did list for me!
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Where are they now? 10 years on from England U21s Wembley opener against Italy U21s
With Friday marking 10 years since the first game was played at the new Wembley - England U21s thrilling 3-3 draw with Italy U21s - we look back at the stars who served up a fitting curtain-raiser...www.skysports.com
2 of the starters were decent internationals eventually and 3 of the subs.
Players like that Rio at Liverpool will likely jump directly into the main side without really bothering with the u21s!
Is your point that being involved is no guarantee for major success? Sure, accept that. But again, how many never make the cut at ANY level, for the national teams only to fade into obscurity? A number dramatically higher then my 400 guestimate for those actually involved in the pro pyramid. Can't help but think being involved with the final rung before the men's game is a pretty good indicator that you're doing something right.
Clearly, your point also suggests that just because a player is good enough at 20/21, there's still a hell of a lot of work to be done and an equal amount of things that have to go right before a player is considered Elite.
For me, I'm happy to let International involvement for an academy player be something to be exited about.