England’s Under 21s are back-to-back European champions, having edged out Germany 3–2 in a thrilling Euro final.
This latest triumph marks the second straight tournament win for the Young Lions, cementing England’s reputation as a rising force at youth level. But while this will be celebrated as a success for Premier League academies and the FA’s youth programme, the real credit lies elsewhere.
The EFL Roles In Creating The Win
It is the EFL that deserves the applause. England’s matchday squad, and indeed much of the tournament group, was packed with players who learned their craft and earned their stripes in the Championship, League One and even League Two.
These leagues have often been painted as a proving ground for tough tackling and attritional football, but in truth they are the very foundation of our national game’s recent revival. Without the EFL, many of these stars would be stuck in Premier League 2 limbo—technically gifted but tactically untested. Let’s take a closer look at the players who owe their meteoric rise to England stardom to the rigours of the Football League.
EFL Grounds Where Young Lions Were Forged
James Beadle is a perfect starting point. The Brighton goalkeeper might be on the books at a top-flight club, but his maturity and command of the box are EFL-made. His senior debut came in League Two with Crewe Alexandra, followed by impressive stints at Oxford United and most recently Sheffield Wednesday. In total, Beadle has racked up dozens of Football League appearances, each one sharpening his skills far more than U21 fixtures ever could.
Charlie Cresswell also made headlines in this summer’s tournament and it’s no surprise to anyone who watched him at Millwall in the Championship. On loan from Leeds United, Cresswell was a revelation at the back, even scoring twice on debut. The Den is no easy place to thrive, but he did just that. Playing against seasoned pros week in, week out toughened him mentally and physically, something no academy match could offer.
Similarly, Elliot Anderson made his name far away from the Premier League spotlight. While some may now associate him with Newcastle United, his pivotal loan spell at Bristol Rovers in League Two turned heads across the country. With goals, assists, and a promotion-clinching strike on the final day of the season, Anderson’s dazzling displays earned him comparisons to Diego Maradona. There’s no greater testament to what League Two football can do for a young player’s development.
James McAtee is another whose polished performances owe much to a Championship grounding. Twice loaned to Sheffield United from Manchester City, McAtee was integral to a side pushing for Premier League promotion. He wasn’t just padding minutes—he was affecting games, scoring, assisting, and managing the demands of a 46-game season. These are lessons you don’t learn in development squads.
One of the most talked-about players in the tournament has been Alex Scott. A Bristol City academy graduate, Scott burst onto the scene in the Championship, where his technique, vision, and temperament made him a stand-out. He was named the EFL Championship Young Player of the Season, and even Pep Guardiola labelled him “unbelievable.” Without Bristol City’s platform and regular senior football, he would be another anonymous name in Premier League 2.
Jay Stansfield has one of the most poignant stories of all. His loan spell at Exeter City in League One was deeply personal, as he wore the number 9 shirt his late father Adam once wore. But beyond sentiment, Stansfield proved his worth with a hat-trick in his final game and a string of standout performances that earned him the EFL Young Player of the Month. That was followed by a superb year at Birmingham City, where he won Player of the Season and earned a permanent move. Every step of that journey ran through the EFL.
Then there’s Brooke Norton-Cuffy, who’s quietly amassed a treasure trove of senior experience. From his debut with Lincoln City in League One to spells at Rotherham United, Coventry City, and Millwall, the Arsenal full-back has built a career on EFL minutes. He’s not just playing games—he’s playing games that matter, in front of real crowds, under real pressure.
The Real Finishing School
This tournament win will be packaged up as a celebration of England’s academy structures and the vision of the FA. But when the cameras stop rolling and the bunting comes down, the people in boardrooms at EFL clubs deserve their round of applause. They are the ones taking chances on these youngsters, giving them a platform, and entrusting them with responsibility against senior opposition.
Premier League 2, while technically proficient, simply doesn’t prepare players for the chaos, noise, and physicality of real football. It lacks intensity. It lacks meaning. The EFL, by contrast, is where reputations are earned. Where a teenager must face a 28-year-old centre-half with 400 games under his belt who doesn’t care one jot for potential or price tags.
This year’s Under 21 victory shows what happens when technical talent is fused with proper match experience. Not just games, but games that matter. Relegation battles, play-off chases, and Tuesday nights in Barnsley or Stevenage. That’s where England’s next stars are made.
The Final Whistle
So yes, celebrate the Young Lions. But as you do, remember where they cut their teeth. Remember the muddy pitches, the tough crowds, and the unforgiving fixture lists of the Championship, League One and League Two. Because without the EFL, England’s youth revolution wouldn’t be a triumph. It would still be a promise.
