2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championships

**Olé Olé** · 30/08/2020, 11:59 AM

Parrott with a tasty finish in that friendly you refer to: https://twitter.com/ballsdotie/statu...134465025?s=19

**tommy_c12000** · 30/08/2020, 8:08 PM

Who’s the first choice keeper?

For me, it’s Bazunu. Watched him yesterday, not really tested in first half, but made a couple of solid saves in second half. Good with ball at feet. He starts off as number one for a League One team.

Kelleher way too comfortable at Liverpool. Missed an opportunity in January to get some game time experience and stayed instead for one meaningless cup game. No word of a loan yet and season starting next week. Pretty surprising. He needs a full season of first team experience this season

**elatedscum** · 30/08/2020, 8:24 PM

Originally Posted by tommy_c12000

Who’s the first choice keeper?

For me, it’s Bazunu. Watched him yesterday, not really tested in first half, but made a couple of solid saves in second half. Good with ball at feet. He starts off as number one for a League One team.

Kelleher way too comfortable at Liverpool. Missed an opportunity in January to get some game time experience and stayed instead for one meaningless cup game. No word of a loan yet and season starting next week. Pretty surprising. He needs a full season of first team experience this season

I’d be very surprised if Kelleher was dropped. He’s been good for 21s. I imagine a loan will happen before the October deadline for English transfers. Currently Liverpool have Karius and Grabara back from loan I think. Grabara might do a season as third choice and Kelleher on loan, probably league 1, although they rate Kelleher higher than Grabara and he was in the championship last season

**Olé Olé** · 30/08/2020, 8:45 PM

Are you sure they rate Kelleher higher than Grabara?

**elatedscum** · 31/08/2020, 3:48 AM

Originally Posted by Olé Olé

Are you sure they rate Kelleher higher than Grabara?

Pretty sure. Klopp has made some statements which back that up over the past year and a half and when they were both at the club, over a longer period of time, Kelleher has been given slight preferential treatment regarding use in pre-season, training with the seniors and game time for the reserves...

**elatedscum** · 31/08/2020, 4:01 AM

Bazunu comes across very well here: https://youtu.be/6-HiMGbq7WM

He does kinda say something contradictory about goalkeeper development (first team football vs training with world class keepers at city), but he seems a very intelligent and clued in 18 year old. Also seems like a nice lad...

Meanwhile, in trying to find the quotes about the two Liverpool keepers, stumbled on this from Klopp: https://youtu.be/gDQhXFKZLlk

**Eirambler** · 31/08/2020, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Eirambler

O'Shea out of the training camp obviously with the senior call up, might open up a spot for Conor McCarthy, Nico Jones or Warren O'Hora.

Still a ridiculous amount of competition for under 21 places even with five under 21s gone to the senior squad, can't remember anything like it, any of those three centre backs would have easily made most of our previous under 21 squads down the years.

O'Hora the one to get the call up out of those three. Was probably close between him and McCarthy.

**Razors left peg** · 31/08/2020, 12:35 PM

When is this get together happening?

**elatedscum** · 31/08/2020, 8:13 PM

Right now I think. One of the players was posting from Stormount Hotel this morning

**Razors left peg** · 31/08/2020, 8:32 PM

So do we know if Obafemi traveled? I would assume so since I so don't see anything saying otherwise

**tetsujin1979** · 31/08/2020, 9:37 PM

FAI pushed this video from training earlier. Can't say I noticed him in it

**Eirambler** · 31/08/2020, 9:53 PM

Some talk that Smallbone and Obafemi didn't travel - possibly because they weren't released from Southampton pre-season training.

**Diggs246** · 31/08/2020, 10:12 PM

Was any England u21 players "not released". One wonders...

**Diggs246** · 31/08/2020, 10:30 PM

Canx that Southampton dont have any England under 21 players. !!

**irishfan86** · 01/09/2020, 2:48 AM

If it is the case that Obafemi and Smallbone didn’t travel, it’s unfortunate given the “flight risk” concerns that seem to surround both of them. That said, you could argue that preseason training (and matches) has more value for their development and first team chances than coming for a U-21 camp.

**ColourfulPeanut** · 01/09/2020, 9:25 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

If it is the case that Obafemi and Smallbone didn’t travel, it’s unfortunate given the “flight risk” concerns that seem to surround both of them. That said, you could argue that preseason training (and matches) has more value for their development and first team chances than coming for a U-21 camp.

I wouldn't be too worried about missing this. They're first team players and there's no match, Southampton were under no obligation to release them. If they get picked and don't show for the Italy match then we can start worrying!

**Diggs246** · 01/09/2020, 9:41 AM

Originally Posted by ColourfulPeanut

I wouldn't be too worried about missing this. They're first team players and there's no match, Southampton were under no obligation to release them. If they get picked and don't show for the Italy match then we can start worrying!

Will ferry made it. Is he not in a d out of the first team? Maybe not

**livehead1** · 01/09/2020, 9:47 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

If it is the case that Obafemi and Smallbone didn’t travel, it’s unfortunate given the “flight risk” concerns that seem to surround both of them. That said, you could argue that preseason training (and matches) has more value for their development and first team chances than coming for a U-21 camp.

So Obafemi can still switch to another country despite the Nations League appearance? Is this part of the 'rule change'?

**Eirambler** · 01/09/2020, 9:50 AM

Yes, if he doesn't play again for Ireland he can switch in November 2021 if the new rules are passed (three years from his last senior cap, which was gained before his 21st birthday).