This summer, Gareth Southgate’s England reached a second straight European Championship final, but the inquest saw the now-former Three Lions head coach accused of being too cautious with one of the best talent pools in world football.

However, the zeitgeist across England’s youth teams is in stark contrast to Southgate’s regime, with the philosophy of exciting attacking football hammered into the Young Lions. 

Look no further than the Under-21s emphatic win at Kenilworth Road on Monday night. From the outset, England played a controlling game with quick and incisive passes pivotal on their route to goal.

Ben Futcher’s side were full of conviction, with the nation's exciting talents let off the leash and encouraged to flourish, and after 25 minutes, Morgan Rogers gave England a deserved lead from the penalty spot. 

A slight blip in possession before half time saw Austria find a leveller, but it unleashed a beast in Futcher’s Young Lions, who came out of the traps firing after the break.

The goals quickly started to flow. Four minutes into the second half Rogers restored England’s lead, topping off a cutting England move with a curling strike. The link-up play in the final third was astounding as James McAtee netted England’s third before Tom Fellows got in on the act.

Ahead of the U21 Euros in Slovakia next summer - which England are expected to qualify for as a best second-placed team - there is a future of promise for the national team. England are developing top talents all over the pitch, capable of playing front-footed football.

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Harmoniously, throughout the ranks England’s youth are excelling with attractive football at the forefront.

The pathway from youth to senior is clearer than ever, presumptive England boss Lee Carsley has developed a free-flowing and exciting style of football with the Under-21s, which he has carried through to the senior side, while Futcher has continued where Carsley left off with the Under-21s.

In Carsley’s first international break as England boss, the former Ireland international promoted five of his last Under-21 squad to the senior side - slapping his own identity on the first team.

More promotions could be on the way ahead of the next Nations League fixtures in November with three Young Lions standing out. 

Liverpool’s Jarell Quansah was afforded a starting spot by Arne Slot in their opening game of the season, but after losing two duels in the first half, the centre-back was pulled off at the break. 

Ahead of the friendly with Austria, the level-headed defender shared: “It’s never a nice feeling as a footballer to be subbed off at half-time, but at the end of the day, it was the gaffer’s decision - obviously it worked. I can only focus on myself and try to improve. 

“I purposely trained the next day so I could get it out of my head and kick on and look forward to the next game, really. That’s all it’s ever been, I’ve just been waiting for the opportunity.” 

Over the break, Quansah has put the setback behind him. He has flaunted his excessive quality, claiming Man of the Match against Northern Ireland, while being a standout performer on Monday night. 

The 21-year-old was extremely assured at Kenilworth Road. His interventions were timed to perfection, whilst exhibiting his capability in possession - often stepping into midfield to flaunt his on-the-ball ability. 

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In the senior picture, Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, John Stones, Harry Maguire and Levi Colwill are ahead of Quansah, albeit three of the four have years on the centre-back. 

However, at just 21, Quansah has made 34 appearances for Liverpool and is showing everything needed to make a star at International level. The challenge for the centre-back is to fine-tune his game and earn a regular starting spot for his club. 

After being included in the preliminary squad for the Euros, Quansah is not far away from knocking on the door of the senior squad. 

Elsewhere, England’s shortage at left-back provides an excellent opportunity for Chelsea Academy graduate Lewis Hall to enter Carsley’s thoughts. Regular injuries to Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell have seen the Three Lions regularly field makeshift left-backs for the past two years. 

Southgate’s solution at the 2024 European Championships was to start Kieran Trippier at left-back until the final when Shaw made his only start of the tournament.

One of the most prominent issues of the Southgate era has spilt over into the start of Carsley’s tenure, with the England boss opting not to include a natural left-back in his first squad - instead utilising Chelsea centre-back Colwill on the left. 

With Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell not fancied and a scarcity of options across the talent pool, Hall has four weeks to cement himself as Newcastle’s first-choice left-back and marshall his way into Carsley’s considerations. 

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Hall has started two of Newcastle’s opening four games, competing with Lloyd Kelly for the starting spot, but his two assists and controlling defensive showing for the Under-21s exemplify his sky-high ceiling.

After England’s convincing win on Monday night, Futcher was full of praise for Hall: “I’ve worked with Lewis for quite a while now. He is an exceptional player, an exceptional young man - it’s great to see him step up to the Under-21s. He performed well tonight, he’s got to keep doing that, keep performing well for his club, and I’m sure people [around the senior squad] are watching him.”

In the long-term, the realms of probability suggest Hall will be England’s left-back, but to accelerate the process, he must nail down a starting spot for Eddie Howe’s Magpies. 

Perhaps the most likely candidate for a senior call-up is Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers. The left-winger has been in blistering form for his club, which translated to the Under-21s, scoring twice for the Young Lions. 

Post-match, Rogers admitted that “he is trying to impress Lee Carsley” and with FA Technical Director John McDermott in attendance at the home of Luton Town, alongside Carsley’s assistants Ashley Cole and Tim Dittimer, the 22-year-old has likely earned himself a glowing report back to the interim head coach. 

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While Hall, Rogers and Quansah are probably the closest to Carsley’s squad, the depth of players coming through the system does not decline there. 

Brighton duo Jack Hinshelwood and James Beadle (on loan at Sheffield Wednesday) both have the potential to be fully-fledged England starters in the future. James McAtee and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens possess attacking talent, but their quality must be calibrated.  

The future is bright for the Three Lions, and with many viewing the current crop of senior players in the light of a ‘golden generation,’ the quality at the country’s disposal will not let up, with those coming through the system showing promise in abundance.