MX23RW : Thursday, May 2 00:33:28| >> :120:15828:15828:

Aidy Boothroyd speaks highly of Callum Hudson-Odoi following Andorra victory

Aidy Boothroyd speaks highly of Callum Hudson-Odoi following Andorra victory
© Reuters
England Under-21s host Albania at Molineux on Tuesday in their final qualifying game.

England Under-21 boss Aidy Boothroyd praised Callum Hudson-Odoi's attitude after the Chelsea forward helped the Young Lions past Andorra.

The 20-year-old scored a penalty to wrap up a 3-1 win at Molineux on Friday.

Curtis Jones and Ben Wilmot had put the hosts 2-1 up in the Young Lions' first game since sealing their spot at Euro 2021 with two Group Three matches to spare.

Christian Garcia's spot kick levelled for Andorra just before the break as they threatened to pull off another shock result after last month's 3-3 draw.

Hudson-Odoi, who ruptured his Achilles last year, has three senior caps and was in Gareth Southgate's Three Lions squad this time last year but Boothroyd has been pleased with his application after returning to his squad this term.

England U21 v Andorra U21 – UEFA Euro 2021 Under-21 Qualifying – Group 3 – Molineux
Callum Hudson-Odoi caught his manager's eye (Mike Egerton/PA)

He said: "It's tough because they burst on the scene, think they'll be there forever but loss of form and injuries can happen.

"When he returned (in October 2019) he was red hot. Then he had a loss of form and lost his place in the (senior) team. The best players are the ones who have longevity.

"My experience of Callum is he's been in a tough place and is coming out of it. He has just got on with it and has been really positive in the group.

"Everyone in our squad has to think if they can make the seniors next summer."

Rhian Brewster hit the post before England opened the scoring when Liverpool's Jones netted his first Under-21 goal, tapping in Hudson-Odoi's cross from six yards.

Jonathan Panzo's header was cleared off the line by Garcia and the visitors' captain levelled from the spot in first-half injury time after Conor Gallagher brought down Eric Izquierdo.

Wilmot's header three minutes after the break restored Young Lions' lead and Hudson-Odoi's penalty wrapped it up when Brewster was felled by Garcia.

England U21 v Austria U21 – UEFA Euro 2021 Under-21 Qualifying – Group 3 – Stadium MK
Aidy Boothroyd said Friday's match had the potential to be tricky for his team (Tim Goode/PA)

Boothroyd added: "They are banana skins, a sticky team to play against. If you score a lot of goals then you should have done anyway and if you don't win it's a disaster.

"We started to play more their style than our own and it took a bit of getting hold of it. We should have been more clinical.

"I don't think there was a bad performance, they were all very solid. Andorra made it difficult for us, they stopped the game with a few injuries and free kicks they were trying to win. Overall we stayed very cool."

ID:422213: cacheID:422213:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:7066:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Jude Bellingham pictured in action for England in November 2020
Read Next:
Jude Bellingham looking to make "many more memories" with England
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!