Lion cubs to roar in Poland

Feel-good factor back in English football

England U21s get their Euro 2017 challenge up and running with a match against Sweden, a side they’ve never lost to at this level of football before. Domestic fans will be hoping they can enhance that record.

There’s a real feel-good factor in English football at the moment. The senior side may have struggled against Scotland and France recently, but following the World Cup success of the U20s, who beat Venezuela 1-0 last week for the country’s most notable win since 1966, there’s hope for the future.

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England must live up to the hype

Aidy Boothroyd’s squad is littered with talent, both established names at club level and hot prospects for the future. Jordan Pickford is an example of the quality on show here, with the shot-stopper recently signing for Everton in a £30m deal that made him England’s most expensive keeper ever. Nathan Redmond is another expected to light up the competition in Poland, and having gained experience for the senior squad, he’ll be eager to kick on.

Fans will be all too aware of previous disappointments suffered in this format however, and England go in on a miserable run of form. The last three tournaments in particular have been a body blow for fans who allowed their hopes to be raised. This is not the first England U21 side to travel with promise, but they must live up to the hype and get results.

Fans remain unconvinced