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UEFA European Under-21 Championship: England wonderkids to watch, including Arsenal starlet and Liverpool target

Aidy Boothroyd’s side is packed with a number of talented youngsters as they prepare for their opening match with France on Tuesday

The European Under-21 Championship is brimming with a host of big name wonderkids and this is before we even get to the England squad.

Aidy Boothroyd’s Three Lions are in Italy and face France in their opening match on Tuesday and will be hoping to go one better than they did 10 years ago, finishing runners-up to Sweden.

 England U21 are preparing to face France
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England U21 are preparing to face FranceCredit: getty

Back then, England had the likes of Theo Walcott, James Milner and Joe Hart in their ranks and the current squad boasts stars such as Phil Foden, James Maddison and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who have already shown their class with their respective Premier League clubs.

While those are the names that instantly stand out, there are several England players who could make an impression at this summer's tournament.

talkSPORT.com looks at the less-than-familiar names who could catch the eye

Darren Gough discusses if Manchester United should sign Wan-Bissaka

Lloyd Kelly - Defender (Bournemouth)

The 20-year-old will be playing Premier League football next season after he signed a long-term deal at the Vitality Stadium, moving from Bristol City.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe described Kelly as "athletic, versatile, physically excellent with a very bright future ahead of him."

Kelly, who can play at left-back as well as central defence, caught the eye of several clubs over the summer, including Champions League winners Liverpool.

Kelly has played three times for Boothroyd's side since he received his first call-up in November 2018.

 Lloyd Kelly is a versatile defender and has joined Bournemouth ahead of next season
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Lloyd Kelly is a versatile defender and has joined Bournemouth ahead of next seasonCredit: getty


Fikayo Tomori - Defender (Chelsea)

One of Chelsea's many players out on loan, Tomori impressed at Derby last season under Frank Lampard and was an almost ever-present fixture at the heart of defence throughout the campaign, starting 45 matches.

His performances earned him Derby's Supporters’ Player of the Season award and despite a shaky start to the campaign, he steadily grew in both confidence and composure.

Blessed with strength and pace in abundance, Tomori is also comfortable on the ball and shares qualities similar to Antonio Rudiger.

The 21-year-old was part of the England side that won the FIFA Under-20 World Cup in 2017.

 Tomori was excellent at Derby last season
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Tomori was excellent at Derby last seasonCredit: getty


Harvey Barnes - Midfielder (Leicester)

Barnes has just put pen to paper on fresh terms with the club after his breakthrough campaign.

After successful loan spells with MK Dons, Barnsley and West Bromwich Albion, Barnes, 21, was recalled to Leicester in January, where he played 16 times and even netted his first goal, equalising against West Ham. This form earned him a call-up to the Under-21 team for the upcoming European Championship.

While he is pacy and direct, Barnes is far from just being a speed merchant and is also comfortable in possession and is a very capable finisher.

 Harvey Barnes in action against Germany
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Harvey Barnes in action against GermanyCredit: getty


Morgan Gibbs-White - Midfielder (Wolves)

The 19-year-old made 20 substitute appearances in the Premier League under Nuno Espirito Santo last season and caught the eye, particularly in the 2-1 win over Chelsea, where he assisted Raul Jimenez and turned in an impressive all-round display.

Excellent technically, Gibbs-White is a progressive player and enjoys driving through the midfield, where he can bring others into play.

He's yet to win an Under-21 cap, but expect him to feature at some point in the competition.

 Morgan Gibbs-White has a bright future for club and country
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Morgan Gibbs-White has a bright future for club and countryCredit: getty


Reiss Nelson - Forward (Arsenal)

Nelson is hoping to make the breakthrough with Arsenal after impressing in his loan spell with Hoffenheim, where he scored seven times last season.

The 19-year-old played 29 times for Hoffenheim as the club finished ninth in the Bundesliga and is one of several English players to ply their trade in Germany.

While his form dipped in the second half of the season, the skilful teenager has shown that on his day he can be real handful and will hope his form this summer can catch the eye of Gunners boss Unai Emery.

 Reiss Nelson has been on loan in Germany
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Reiss Nelson has been on loan in GermanyCredit: getty
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