Japhet ready for 'amazing experience' with England Under-21s in Slovenia

Japhet Tanganga has represented England at every level from Under-16 to Under-20 - he's hoping to complete his international youth cap collection at a major tournament this week.

The Academy graduate has been selected for the Young Lions alongside team-mates Ryan Sessegnon and Oliver Skipp for the group stage of the UEFA Under-21 European Championships in Slovenia over the next week.

Speaking to us on Monday, Japhet said: “It’s always an honour to be called up by your country and I’ve been called up for the Under-21s before, but I’ve been injured. That's been tough, so frustrating. Finally, I’ve been able to turn up for duty fit and well, and full of confidence as well."

The group stage involves 16 nations in four groups with group winners and runners-up qualifying for the knockout phase from 31 May to 6 June, the finals jointly hosted by Hungary and Slovenia.

England kick-off their campaign against Switzerland on Thursday (2pm) before facing Portugal (Sunday, 8pm) and Croatia (Wednesday 31 March, 5pm).

“It will be an amazing experience, tournament football,” said Japhet. “As a footballer you want to test yourself against the best and we're up against Portugal, Croatia, and I’ve played a couple of times against Switzerland, and they always have young talent coming through, so it’s not going to be easy.

“At the same time, we have such a talented squad, players who are playing week in, week out in the Premier League, players playing at the highest level for big clubs, so we have confidence and belief going into the tournament. It will be a test and I can’t wait. I’m excited.”

England squad

Goalkeepers: Josef Bursik (Stoke City), Josh Griffiths (Cheltenham Town, loan from West Bromwich Albion), Aaron Ramsdale (Sheffield United).
Defenders: Max Aarons (Norwich City), Ben Godfrey (Everton), Marc Guehi (Swansea City, loan from Chelsea), Lloyd Kelly (AFC Bournemouth), Ryan Sessegnon (Hoffenheim, loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Steven Sessegnon (Bristol City, loan from Fulham), Japhet Tanganga (Tottenham Hotspur), Ben Wilmot (Watford).
Midfielders: Tom Davies (Everton), Ebere Eze (Crystal Palace), Conor Gallagher (West Bromwich Albion, loan from Chelsea), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Dwight McNeil (Burnley), Oliver Skipp (Norwich City, loan from Tottenham Hotspur).
Attackers: Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United), Mason Greenwood (Manchester United), Callum Hudson-Odoi (Chelsea), Noni Madueke (PSV Eindhoven), Eddie Nketiah (Arsenal), Emile Smith Rowe (Arsenal).