Lee Carsley: Hopefully Liam Delap will do well at Chelsea and push for England senior call-up
England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley insists he is not disappointed in Liam Delap's decision to go to the Club World Cup with Chelsea rather than the European Under-21 Championship.
Delap made the switch to Stamford Bridge from Ipswich this week and is set to travel with the Chelsea squad to the United States for the club tournament which starts on June 14, three days after the Euros get underway.
Delap's absence from the Young Lions squad means they miss an integral part of their forward line which could be pivotal to their success this month at a time when Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson has confirmed he spoke to the forward about representing the Boys in Green, like his father Rory did in the past.
But Carsley instead spoke of his delight for Delap moving up in his career to a 'prestigious' club.
Speaking at a press conference at St George's Park, he said: 'I'm definitely not disappointed. I'm delighted for Liam and his family.
'It's a brilliant thing for an English centre-forward to play in the Premier League at such a prestigious club like Chelsea.
'Hopefully, he'll do really well there and push for the senior team. We'll move on. We've moved on quite quickly.
'We've always known that two or three of the players could move to clubs that were playing in the Club World Cup.
'The Club World Cup hasn't come out of the blue. We've been preparing for this competition for two years, knowing that the Club World Cup was always in the background.
'It's not frustrating one bit. I definitely still see the importance of some of our players that will play in that competition. It's a brilliant thing for them to do.'
Jobe Bellingham is another squad member linked with a Club World Cup move (Martin Rickett/PA)
Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham has been included in Carsley's 23-player squad despite being linked with a move to Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund – who will also take part in the Club World Cup.
Dortmund have until June 10, when FIFA's special transfer window for the Club World Cup will close, to complete a deal. The regular window then opens on the 16th, which could still see Bellingham move clubs while on England duty.
Once England kick off their tournament against Czech Republic on June 12, Carsley is unable to call anyone else up which could leave a hole in his side if a move happens.
Carsley added: 'Jobe is an important part of our squad and will be travelling with us.
'We just have to make sure that we're flexible, similar to what we've done with all of the players.
'We're here to support them, make sure we help them as much as we can.'
Lee Carsley has confirmed that James McAtee will be our #YoungLions captain for the #U21EURO finals ©️ pic.twitter.com/gy8cNDMOBo
— England (@England) June 6, 2025
Carsley also confirmed James McAtee will captain the side for this summer's tournament.
The 22-year-old has started to break through into Manchester City's first team and has also featured 18 times for the England Under-21s.
Carsley said: 'James McAtee will captain the team. James is a very important player to the team, to the squad.
'He's a player that's done really well in the past, a player that I coached for a while. So enjoy working with him.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
World title likely to be on the line in rematch between Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan
A REMATCH OF the most controversial all-Irish boxing match in recent years looks set to be elevated in its significance, with Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan moving closer to meeting for the vacant IBF welterweight world title in the autumn. Eddie Hearn, who promotes both Crocker and Donovan, tonight confirmed that current welterweight king Jaron 'Boots' Ennis intends to move up to light-middleweight on health and performance grounds, which would make it 'very likely that his belts will become vacated'. Belfast's Crocker [21-0, 11KOs] is the number-one-ranked contender for Ennis' IBF title following his disqualification victory over Limerick's Donovan in March, with Donovan [14-1, 11KOs] positioned next in line due to the contentious nature of his first career defeat. Advertisement The IBF initially ordered the Irish duo to meet again in a final eliminator for the 147-pound title following an appeal by Donovan's team, but if champion Ennis was to release the IBF title in the coming weeks, the sanctioning body would likely decree that the vacant belt be contested between Crocker and Donovan. And promoter Hearn says the weight cut to 147 pounds has become too prohibitive for Ennis, this despite his sublime stoppage of the world-class Eimantas Stanionis back in April. 'Boots is moving up,' the Matchroom boss told 'Unfortunately, after the Stanionis fight, he had his team around him, the doctors, the tests, and what they're basically saying is, 'Boots is underperforming [versus] his capabilities'. 'You saw him on fight week,' Hearn added, alluding to Ennis' gaunt physical condition before fight night. 'It doesn't take a genius to see it's hard work. And the amazing thing is he did that to Stanionis at 50% of his physical capabilities. 'It's very likely that his belts will become vacated. We'll meet this week.' Were the IBF to stick with its current rankings and allow Crocker and Donovan to meet again for world honours, the sequel would become the first all-Irish world-title fight in boxing history. Matchroom have been eyeing up a late September or early October date for the rematch, which will again take place in Belfast. Windsor Park, initially considered too big for a non-title bout between boxers who are not yet established stars, is currently being re-explored as a potential destination. The original bout at Belfast's SSE Arena was, in its own right, one the most significant to take place between two Irish boxers in the modern era. 'Real Deal' Donovan and trainer Andy Lee were left furious when the previously unbeaten Munsterman was disqualified for knocking down hometown hero Crocker after the bell had sounded to end the eighth round. Donovan had already been harshly deducted two points for head clashes by English referee Marcus McDonnell. Donovan had broadly dominated a compelling contest against his domestic rival, leading 'The Croc' 69-63 x2 and 67-65 on the three judges' scorecards and earning a legitimate knockdown before being disqualified for an illegal blow.
The 42
3 hours ago
- The 42
Lee Carsley's England U21s make perfect start to Euros defence
ENGLAND U21S started the defence of their European Championship title with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic in Slovakia. Goals on either side of the break from Harvey Elliott and Jonathan Rowe had put Lee Carsley's side in control. Daniel Fila reduced the deficit in the 50th minute, before England defender Charlie Cresswell headed in a third from a corner with 15 minutes left. The Young Lions – who beat Spain two years ago to win the European title for a third time – had made a bright start in their opening Group B fixture at the MOL Arena in Dunajska Streda. Newcastle defender Tino Livramento made an early break down the left, with his ball in was palmed away by Czech goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek before captain James McAtee scuffed his shot wide. Ipswich winger Omari Hutchinson was also lively on the left flank, cutting inside to fire a rising shot which was tipped over. Advertisement The Czechs threatened in the 12th minute when Martin Suchomel sent a cross from the left through the England six-yard box, which Vaclav Sejk just failed to connect with. Brighton goalkeeper James Beadle then made a smart reaction save from Stepan Chaloupek's powerful header, pushing the ball over, after a free-kick was swung into the England penalty area. After soaking up plenty of pressure, England took the lead in the 38th minute. Hutchinson drove forward from the left before laying the ball out to Livramento. The defender's looping cross through the six-yard box was picked up at the back post by McAtee, who laid it back for Liverpool winger Elliott to fire a low shot into the far corner. The Czech Republic were almost straight back on level terms when a corner was flicked on by Krystof Danek and the ball bounced off England defender Jarell Quansah, but Beadle got down to make a save on the line. England — without the likes of Liam Delap and Jobe Bellingham, who will be at the Club World Cup — doubled their lead three minutes into the second half. Livramento's low cross was touched home at the near post by Monaco forward Rowe ahead of Czech defender Filip Prebsl, with the ball diverting in off goalkeeper Hornicek. The Czechs, though, soon pulled a goal back in the 50th minute when Fila got in front of Livramento to power a free header past Beadle from Sejk's lofted cross. England boss Carsley made an attacking double change with 20 minutes left, sending on Arsenal forward Ethan Nwaneri to replace Rowe and Birmingham's Jay Stansfield for McAtee. Nwaneri almost made an instant impact when he cut in from the right and curled a low strike goalwards, which was deflected past the far post. Toulouse centre-back Cresswell restored England's two-goal cushion with 15 minutes left when he showed great strength to get up and power down a header from Alex Scott's corner. Beadle then made another smart save from Czech substitute Adam Karabec in stoppage time. England next face Slovenia in Nitra on Sunday, with their last group fixture against Germany on 18 June.
The Irish Sun
7 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
How ‘frightening' Liverpool may have found Mo Salah replacement and who gets Viktor Gyokeres
LIVERPOOL are set to splash over £300million this summer and could become unstoppable. SunSport exclusively revealed that 7 Bradley Barcola could be heading to Anfield this summer Credit: Getty 7 Barcola could be Mo Salah's long-term replacement Credit: AFP While Viktor Gyokeres' rumoured strike and Jack Grealish's uncertain future have also hit the back pages. Our very own Will Pugh and Dean Scoggins share their thoughts on all the deals and speculation in The Sun's new show 'Be afraid of Liverpool' The Reds are prepared to battle Bayern Munich for the £100m-rated winger Barcola , 22. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And if you're looking for a long-term replacement for Mo Salah, not this season necessarily, Barcola could be the guy. Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are PSG's first choice front three. It means Barcola could want out - especially with a World Cup on the horizon. Arne Slot is building a versatile group of attackers that can play anywhere along the front in Salah, £126m man Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK And even though Salah signed a new contact, Saudi talks will never be far away from being on the backpage once again. A 7 Gyok to go Sporting's president Frederico Varandas has Reports from Lisbon claim the Swedish striker is considering going on strike to force an exit. He believes he had a gentleman's agreement to leave for £50million with a further £8million in add-ons. That claim has been rubbished by Varandas and good on Sporting for standing firm with their price. They know a sale is coming but will not be bullied into cashing-in on the cheap. Gyokeres will likely have the choice between And there should not be concern about Gyokeres' fit for the Premier League should it be a move to Old Trafford or the Emirates. 7 Viktor Gyokeres is considering going on strike to leave Sporting Credit: Getty As for Arsenal, they just need someone with a proven track record of putting the ball in the back of the net. 97 goals in 102 Sporting games suggests Gyokeres can do that. If the Gunners can add a top-quality left-winger to their squad as well, a move to North London would be the smarter choice over the circus in Manchester. Gyokeres deserves a Premier League chance. But don't expect Erling Haaland numbers straight away. The Greal Deal A changing of the guard is happening at Man City after the signings of Cherki, 21, will get fans off their seats and the ex-Lyon man will be the wildcard Pep Guardiola has been missing. 7 Jack Grealish's days at City are numbered Credit: Getty Let's hope Pep does not take the creativity and excitement out his game like he has done to And the Toon should go all out to bring the 29-year-old to St James' Park. 7 They will have dreams of winning the Europa League and could do with another wide man to compete with Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy, while Grealish could also play just behind Isak as a No10. Newcastle have the money, their fans love a maverick and Eddie Howe is the type of boss to get the best out of him. 7
