Englands glory year of 2017...

In June 2017 the English U20 squad won their age group World Cup. A few months later the U17s won their version of it. With the senior squad getting to the semi final of the World Cup a year later, Euro 2020 looked like an exciting prospect - especially with the semi-final and final at Wembley. Sadly COVID delayed this, but on the flip side it will have given the young players who delivered glory in 2017 another year of development.

Perhaps strangely, it is the u17 side who has given the seniors the best two players. Phil Foden was the star of the u17 winners, including scoring 2 goals in the final. Some have been frustrated by his game time at Manchester City, but he has become as much a regular as anyone this season. He has had a succesful integration into the England seniors, and could be key in the summer.
Jadon Sancho was already an important player at his club, Dortmund, in 2017. So much so they only allowed him to play in the group stages before taking him back. He has already established himself in the England senior squad, although yet to really show his full talent for England.

Of the U20 squad, it is perhaps a player who was only back-up in 2017 that has the best chance of playing tonight. Dean Henderson benefitted from loans, and an impressive 19/20 season. Now he is fighting for the United #1 spot - and the England keeper role.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the hero in the 2017 final, and has propelled himself into the full squad with a free-scoring 20/21 season. He will have to play second fiddle to Harry Kane, but there will be chances for the Evertonian.

A few others from that U20 squad have had brief inclusions with the seniors (Tomori, Cook, AMN, Solanke) while Freddie Woodman and Ezri Konsa are building their reputations.
However, it is the 2017 u17 squad that perhaps have more hopes. Callum Hudson-Odoi has seen his development hindered by a bad injury, one that also scuppered a move to Bayern. He is slowly getting back, though, and could add to his 3 senior caps. Emile Smith Rowe has also had injury woes, but has began to establish himself in the Arsenal team and will make his u21 debut today. Marc Guehi is on loan at Swansea from Chelsea and has impressed at the back, and joins CHO and ESR in the U21 team today.

While not entirely surprising, it is a bit of a shame more of the u20 winning squad haven't stepped up 4 years later. However, there is enough youthful talent in the England squad to suggest there is a chance the glory days of 2017 can be repeated this summer at Euro 2020 and the u21 European Championships. Beyond those named above, Reece James, Mason Mount, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Jude Bellingham are all eligible for the U21s, but are in the senior squad.