Oliver Skipp believes England can handle the pressure heading into the European Under-21 Championships… after Aidy Boothroyd’s men crashed out of the tournament two years ago without winning a game
- Oliver Skipp has helped propel Norwich to the top of the Championship
- Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Greenwood are both in Aidy Boothroyd’s squad
- England crashed out at the group stage two years ago without winning a game
- The tournament has been split into two to avoid clashing with the senior Euros
- England face Croatia, Portugal and Switzerland in Group D in Slovenia
Oliver Skipp believes England’s Under-21s head into the European Championship unburdened by pressure.
Aidy Boothroyd’s side fly out to Slovenia on Tuesday before Thursday’s opener against Switzerland in Koper.
England crashed out at the group stage two years ago without winning a game but, with just two survivors from that squad, are adamant they can stamp their mark on the competition.
Oliver Skipp is confident England can handle the pressure during their time in Slovenia
The likes of Mason Greenwood and Callum Hudson-Odoi are part of Aidy Boothroyd’s squad
‘Whenever you’re representing England at any level, there’s an element of pressure,’ Skipp said.
‘But I feel as a group will be able to cope with that and make sure that we do the basics right and let our quality take care of the rest.’
England boast the likes of senior internationals Callum Hudson-Odoi and Mason Greenwood, but Norwich’s on-loan midfielder Skipp knows ability alone will not carry them into June’s knockout stages.
‘There’s a lot of talent in this group but we can’t become complacent,’ he added.
‘Some of them are playing at some of the biggest clubs in England but we need to make sure we’re at it come the first game and doing everything right to avoid that complacency.’
This year’s tournament will be structured a little differently to usual to ensure it does not clash with the postponed senior Euros, which were rearranged for this year from last summer.
England crashed out of the tournament two years ago in Italy and San Marino in the groups
The group stage held between March 24 and 31 and the knockout stage held between May 31 and June 6.
Skipp feels the timetable could benefit England, who haven’t won the tournament for 37 years and also have Portugal and Croatia in their group.
‘Usually the tournament has been at the end of the season, so it is slightly different (this time) in terms you are three-quarters of the way through (the domestic season when the tournament starts).
England’s opponents Portugal boast Diogo Dalot and Barcelona winger Trincao in their squad
‘Now you are in your rhythm, some of us have been playing every week and you can continue that from without a break after the season.
‘In some ways it’s quite nice to continue your club form without having a break in between.
‘You can take confidence in your personal performance but it’s a new team and new players. We’re making sure we, as a team, are right come the first game in Slovenia.’