England youngsters are making progress despite semi-final defeat to Germany

Another tournament defeat, another humbling by Germany and a banquet’s worth of food for thought regarding the development of our young players, but it is the progress of individuals rather than the collective which will define how successful this European Under-21 Championship campaign has been.

Although much has been made of the fact the last time Germany beat England at the Under-21 European Championships, they went on to win the World Cup five years later, the Football Association will not be too despondent.

Just as the most successful Premier League youth teams do not always provide the best Premier League players, neither do the best Under-21 teams deliver the most important senior players.

The Germany Under-21 side of 2009 was superb and, as was shown in Tychy, German football, as a whole, continues to shame us. The young Germans were slicker, technically superior, but also more streetwise and calm under pressure. They looked like a team that has played more senior football than England’s because they are.

The Bundesliga clubs rely on homegrown talent far more than Premier League ones. That is not going to change in the near future, but it is not necessarily a concrete boot attached to the legs of our young players which guarantees they will sink and Germany’s will swim.

On the whole, given this was the first time England have progressed to the knockout stage of the European Championships for eight years, Aidy Boothroyd’s team have made progress.

England’s Under-21 manager insisted before the semi-final that the teams which win age group tournaments win senior prizes, but it has been 21 years since a senior England team reached the last four of a major tournament.

Things needs to be kept in perspective. If Gareth Southgate‘s side reach the semi-final of the World Cup next summer, we will be delighted given our recent history of tournament calamities.

Progress can only be gradual and the Under-21 squad will also evolve over the next 12 months as members of the Under 20 side that won the World Cup earlier this month are promoted.

Significantly, there are certain individuals who have enhanced their reputations in Poland. They will return to their clubs better equipped to play regularly in the first team and, with that, far more likely to catch Southgate’s eye.

“We’re all disappointed,” said goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. “But we have a lot of lads who will have the chance to come again in two years and then there are those like myself who have to try and kick on and get into the senior squad. Everybody is going to be hungry after this.”

Pickford coped superbly with the £30m price tag slapped on his forehead after his move from Sunderland to Everton. Pickford’s handling against Germany was impeccable and he could emerge as England’s number one if he plays well for his new club next season.

In front of him, the two centre backs, Calum Chambers and Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson looked good. Chambers, in particular, has benefited enormously from his season on loan at Middlesbrough and must choose his next move wisely. There is no point staying at Arsenal if he is not going to play.

In midfield, Chelsea’s Nathaniel Chalobah had a fine tournament. Even though he was not fully fit against Germany, he still caught the eye. He must play regularly next season. No matter how much flattery comes his way at Stamford Bridge, he needs to be ruthlessly single-minded. He will be 23 in December and cannot continue to be talked about as one for the future.

Will Hughes, whose move from Derby to Watford was announced during the tournament, is another who has impressed. Of all England’s players, he was the one who looked most comfortable against Germany. Demarai Gray has also had a good tournament and do not be surprised if he leaves Leicester City this summer, given how frustrated he was last season about the lack of first team football.

“It’s been my first major tournament and I’ve really benefited from it,” said Gray, who turned 21 on Wednesday. “We have to look at the bigger picture. These tournaments are about our development and can only make us stronger. I feel as though I’ve really been able to express myself. We’ve shown we are capable, that there are young players coming through and we will get better.”

Others, though, have much still to prove. Everton’s Mason Holgate, Leicester’s Ben Chilwell, Norwich’s Jacob Murphy, as well as Chelsea duo Tammy Abraham and Lewis Baker were all exposed in Poland and have much still to do.

As for Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish, his inability to make Boothroyd’s first team shows that, regardless of how much talent you have, if you are not willing to apply yourself, you will waste it.