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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Six England stars named in Euro under-21 team of the tournament after trophy glory

Six England players have been named in the U21 Euros Team of the Tournament - including standout star Anthony Gordon.

The Young Lions won the U21 Euros for the first time in 39 years by beating Spain 1-0 in the final on Saturday. Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, who is expected to join Burnley in a £19million deal, saved a last-minute penalty to secure the trophy.

Trafford didn't concede a single goal during the tournament in Georgia and Romania to earn his place in the Team of the Tournament. He's been joined in the XI by Levi Colwill, James Garner, Curtis Jones, Gordon and captain Taylor Harwood-Bellis.

England have now won either a world or European title at U21, U20, U19 and U17 levels since 2017. Supporters are hoping that success translates into senior level, as they are desperate to end a 58-year wait for a major honour at next year's Euros in Germany.

The other five players in the Team of the Tournament are Spanish. Man City winger Sergio Gomez, Real Betis pair Juan Miranda and Rodri, Real Madrid midfielder Antonio Blanco and Braga striker Abel Ruiz, who missed that last-minute penalty, all made the cut.

Several members of England's triumphant team are being tipped for big things. Trafford, 20, has never played for Man City's first team but is wanted by Burnley boss Vincent Kompany after good loan spells with League One clubs Accrington and Bolton.

Gordon, 22, was named as the Player of the Tournament after scoring against Israel in the group stage and Portugal in the quarter-finals. It's a big achievement for Gordon, who's faced criticism since his £45m move from Everton to Newcastle.

"I'm absolutely delighted," said Gordon. "I feel I have had a good tournament, but me with the individual trophy is down to my teammates and the staff. The squad is really unselfish. Six or seven of us might have won it, that shows how good we've been."

Jones, 22, also deserved a break after a difficult couple of years with Liverpool. The midfielder has struggled with injuries but is now fully fit and showed his best during the U21 Euros. That tournament followed a good end to the season at club level for Jones.

The Liverpudlian started Liverpool's last 11 games of the campaign to help them to go unbeaten and finish fifth in the Premier League from midtable. His purple patch has come at the right time after the signings of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

What do you make of the U21 Euros Team of the Tournament? Let us know in the comments below!

Colwill's displays at the U21 Euros will leave Chelsea fans excited. The 20-year-old defender made 17 Premier League appearances for Brighton during a loan spell last season but is expected to be part of Mauricio Pochettino's squad for this coming season.

Garner, 22, is another player expected to make an impact in the Premier League. A back injury restricted the former Manchester United youngster's progress at Everton, but he played an important role towards the end of last term to help Sean Dyche's side stay up.

Last but not least Harwood-Bellis, who helped Burnley win the Championship title last season during a loan spell from Man City. It's believed Fulham and West Ham are among the clubs interested in signing the 21-year-old defender.

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