England’s quiet progression at the Under-20 World Cup may have caught off guard rivals who had come to associate their participation only with premature exits, but a sense of surprise has been absent from within.
Victory over Mexico tomorrow would propel Paul Simpson’s squad into the semi-finals of a competition that has long since been perceived from those involved as a platform as opposed to the usual graveyard for the country’s ambition.
“We feel that whoever we come up against we can beat at the momentKieran Dowell
“We have been speaking about winning this tournament ever since we met up for a camp back in August,” said Kieran Dowell, 19, one of five Everton players in South Korea.
“We set goals at the start of the year and obviously the biggest goal is to progress as players and help England win the 2022 World Cup. The one below that is to win this World Cup in Korea. That’s definitely the aim and we know we are capable of winning it.”
Gareth Southgate, the senior manager, last week name-checked this under-20 squad, together with the under-17 side, who should not have lost the European Championship final last month, as proof there is emerging talent below the likes of Dele Alli and John Stones.
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If it sounds like England getting ahead of themselves once again, then the way the under-20 side have reached the last eight, beating Argentina and the hosts en route to topping a group that also contained Guinea, showcases an ability to adapt.
Simpson has benefited from co-operation from Premier League clubs over the release of players and there is genuine belief of reaching the last four for only the second time in the 40 years the competition has been played.
“We came up against three different types of opposition in the group — Asian, South American and then African opposition — and we have done well to work things out as we have gone on,” said Dowell. “We feel that whoever we come up against we can beat at the moment.
“Against the South Americans it becomes a bit more physical, so Mexico will be quite similar to Argentina. I think it is about how we are going to break them down. We are not just focused on what they can do because we know we can give as much as we take.”
While there are a cluster of England players whose profiles already command attention, such as new Liverpool signing Dominic Solanke, the career of Dowell is an interesting case study.
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He is a talent whom former Everton manager Roberto Martínez handed a senior debut as far back as December 2014, and privately raved about, only for the landscape to change following the Spaniard’s departure.
These days Everton do not have to look within. Indeed, manager Ronald Koeman, notwithstanding the emergence of Dowell’s close friend, Tom Davies, often gives the impression that is the last place he will search for reinforcements.
England’s win over Costa Rica in the last 16 came courtesy of two slick goals from Ademola Lookman, a player signed by Everton from Charlton Athletic last January for a fee which could reach £11 million.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is another member of Everton’s quintet in Asia [Jonjoe Kenny and Callum Connolly complete the enclave] and was recruited from Sheffield United for £1.5 million last summer.
There is an emphasis now on snapping up the best young talent in the country, while the reality that Koeman will try and spend big on proven performers means the window of opportunity is smaller than ever.
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Yet Dowell, who has been at Everton since the age of seven and is as elegant on the pitch as he is articulate off it, displays a refreshing attitude in not looking at anyone but himself.
“It doesn’t change a lot,” said Dowell, an important member of Everton Under-23s which won Premier League 2 last season.
“Obviously Everton now has the luxury of going out and buying players, but I think if you are good enough, you are good enough. Full stop. You will get your chance if you deserve it.
“It has been frustrating that I didn’t get as much game time with the first team, but I have definitely improved this season. The manager and the coaches have given me stuff to work on and, hopefully, I can take that forward and I can show that I am worthy of a chance in the future.
“A lot of it is about work rate side and becoming a constant threat in a game. It has been really useful. I think the goal against South Korea shows that [I’m taking it on board]. It was nice to show it in a World Cup.”
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That goal, drifting into the penalty area from the right and sweetly dispatching Kenny’s cut back, showcased Dowell at his best and there are unlikely to be a shortage of clubs willing to offer him a loan move.
Yet with Everton in the Europa League next season opportunity could knock and the dream remains following Davies, a year younger but who has been excused England duty this summer, as a first team regular.
Last summer, together with another Everton youngster Harry Charsley, they shunned the normal football holiday hot-spots to tour Italy, but although their schedules are now different there is barely a day when Dowell and Davies are not in touch.
“He is actually in Australia at the moment, he has been seeing family so I missed out on a holiday this year. I will have to sort something when I get back,” added Dowell.
“He has been keeping me updated, sending good luck messages and stuff and keeping in touch. He is in the same time zone, so it has been easier. All my mates back home aren’t up when we wake up, so he has been the only one to talk to in the morning.”