For decades, England has been dreaming of building a golden generation of footballers who don’t just show up to tournaments—they take over.
Now, according to Under-21 coach Lee Carsley, that dream may finally be taking shape.
As England gears up for their second Euro U21 group match against Slovenia, Carsley says this new wave of talent isn’t just here to participate—they’re here to win, and win big.
This Generation Isn’t Playing Around
The mood in the England camp feels different these days. There’s a spark. A belief.
Carsley says the players coming through now don’t just hope to win—they expect to.
He credits that mindset shift to a generational change, one that reminds him of the legendary Germany U21 squad that dominated in 2009 before lifting the senior World Cup five years later.
“Winning one tournament is great,” Carsley said, “but it’s the dominating bit we really want to get better at.”
Belief Is Replacing Hope
According to Carsley, the difference between past squads and the current crop of England youth teams is that these players actually believe they can go all the way.
Whether it’s the Under-17s, the Under-19s, or his Under-21 group, the players aren’t satisfied with just being part of the setup—they’re pushing for titles.
“We’re producing a generation that believes,” he said.
“And it all starts with the basics: qualifying from the group, building on that, and going the distance.”
Not Resting on History
Despite England’s success in the last U21 Euros—where they won for the first time in 39 years—Carsley is quick to remind everyone that there’s no guarantee of glory just because it’s England.
He pointed out that before the 2023 win, England had only ever won the Under-21 Euros twice—back in 1982 and 1984.
That’s a long gap for a country with such a rich football culture. “There’s no divine right to win,” Carsley said.
“History shows we’ve often fallen short.”
It’s About Winning, Not Just Showing Up
Carsley has been encouraged by the attitude of the young players, not just in his squad but across all age levels.
They’re not in the tournament for experience—they want trophies.
“They’re not happy just to be here,” he said. “They’ve come to win.”
This year’s squad looks a bit different than the one that triumphed in 2023, with only two returning players.
Still, the expectations remain high—and so does the talent level.
Eyes on Slovenia
With the next group stage game against Slovenia coming up on Sunday, the pressure is on.
A win will see England through to the quarter-finals—and keep their title defense hopes very much alive.
So far, it’s clear: this England generation isn’t just along for the ride.
They’re determined to create a legacy. And if Carsley’s instincts are right, we might be witnessing the birth of something very special.