Paul Simpson’s squad take on Turkey for the first game of this year’s Under-19 European Championship in Finland.
Sunderland’s Elliot Embleton has been talked about as one of next season’s potential starters as Jack Ross’s side begin life in League One for the first time in thirty years.
The former St Mirren manager has suggested that next season’s side could feature a lot of the young players on the Black Cats’ books, with 19-year-old Embleton at the top of that list.
And Embleton has not only attracted the eye of the Sunderland faithful, but also England Under-19 manager Paul Simpson, with the 51-year-old calling upon the Sunderland prospect to be part of his plans for this month’s Under-19 European Championships in Finland.
The young lions take on Turkey in their opening fixture of the tournament held in Finland, with Simpson hoping to emulate what was achieved in Georgia last year, when England defeated Portugal 2-1 to win the same tournament.
Embleton will take part in the tournament which finishes July 29, five days before Sunderland begin life in the third tier at home to Charlton Athletic.
However, despite Ross’ likely preference of keeping his young star on track with Sunderland in their pre-season preparations, the tournament offers Embleton even more vital experience which could play a huge role in his performance’s next term.
The young midfielder’s debut came in last season’s dismal Championship campaign in a 0-0 draw at home to eventual Championship winners Wolverhampton Wanderers, despite featuring on the bench in Sunderland’s most recent Premier League season.
And Embleton will likely feature in many of the Scottish manager’s line-up’s next season, having appeared in both of Sunderland’s pre-season games against Darlington and Hartlepool United.
Sunderland’s number 40 will be hoping to emulate some of the achievements that his former Under-23 colleague’s George Honeyman and Lynden Gooch have in the Sunderland first-team, with both men breaking through in the past two seasons.
Just like Embleton, Ethan Robson also looks close to featuring in next season’s League One side, providing healthy competition between the pair who know each other very well.
And the teenager’s call-up to the England Under-19 squad that hopes to win back-to-back European Championship’s can only be seen as a positive for Sunderland, with the Black Cats hoping for the best Embleton there is come August 4 when they start another season on Wearside.
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