Steve Cooper wants to see his England Under-16s “express themselves” as they prepare to kick-off the Montaigu Tournament.
The Young Lions met up at St. George’s Park on Friday before flying out to France on Sunday afternoon for the annual competition which pits them against a host of top nations from around the globe.
And after a good few days preparing his side ahead of group games against Mexico, who they face on Tuesday, Turkey and Ivory Coast, the head coach is clear on what he wants from his youngsters this week.
England v Mexico
Montaigu Under-16s Tournament
5.30pm, Tuesday 31 March
Montaigu
“We want them to do what has brought them here in the first place,” he told TheFA.com. “We are trying to establish a playing style through all of the England teams now, which is conducive to players being creative and innovative.
“We want the players to express themselves and dominate games with their football and by doing that you will need to do it in a variety of ways. Sometimes it will be through possession, but others you will need to do something a little more creative and different.
“There are a lot of good players in this country, we think we’ve got some good players in this group too, so we encourage them to play with confidence and feel happy to express themselves.”
It has been just over a month since Cooper and his side were last together for the UEFA Development Tournament at St. George’s Park, and he is hoping that the quick reunion will have given his side an extra edge leading into this week.
“It’s nice that is hasn’t been too long since we were last together in February. Sometimes it can be a few months between get-togethers, and you have to do a bit of recapping on the work that you covered and their progression as a team, but it is all still fresh in their minds.
'We want the players to express themselves and dominate games with their football'
Steve Cooper
“That has been beneficial as we build on that ahead of this tournament.”
England are joined in France by the hosts and other top nations of note. Brazil, Morocco and Belgium make up the other group, and it is playing against that calibre of varied opposition that makes the Young Lions’ participation in the competition all the more important according to Cooper.
“That is the big attraction of the Montaigu Tournament," he added. "The varied game plan for the players and trying to give them experiences that not only serve them for the here and now, but it will serve them well for what they will come up against in the future too.
“The big aim for these players is for them to remain in the international set-up, and I guess to play at World Cups when they are older. So if they can play against teams from Africa, South America and different parts of Europe then that can only be beneficial for their long-term development.”
Cooper’s side kick-off the tournament against Mexico at 5.30pm on Tuesday.
