Liverpool youngster Joe Gomez has been named the new captain of the England Under 21 side.
The 20 year old full back takes over from Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse who is now too old to represent the Under 21 set up and he has of course featured four times for Liverpool so far this season, including the class four nil victory over Arsenal last weekend.
Aidy Boothroyd has hailed the leadership qualities of the young man and decided he’s the pick to lead the side as they go into the European Championships in Italy and San Marino in 2019.
Sky Sports reported yesterday evening that Boothroyd had made his new pick as skipper and in explaining the decision, he said.
‘I’ve been really impressed with Joe and I’ve decided he will be captain. I’m delighted he’s getting game time at Liverpool, that’s exactly what we want. He’s just one of those blokes who you think ‘I could be in the trenches with you’. He’s won at U17 level, he’s well respected in the group so he will be the one. I’ve told the players already that he will be the captain, but the leadership group around that has yet to be decided.’
England finished joint third at the European Championships in Poland this summer, but Gomez didn’t play a part after he requested to be allowed time to fully recover his fitness following a long term injury, and clearly that is now paying off for him with his England promotion and Liverpool involvement.
‘I was really disappointed Joe couldn’t come in the summer but I totally understood why and I think it says a bit about him that he did that. To get his big move from Charlton and then get injured so early on while away with us but to come through it on the other side and get back into Liverpool’s first team shows he’s certainly very mature. He’s coped with it very well and shown he’s a little bit more worldly-wise than the other boys. He’s a real good sort and he’s exactly what you’d want as a captain.’
