Harvey Elliott experienced a mix of pride and disappointment as he captained England U21s for the first time during their clash against Ukraine U21s. Following an impressive display in the previous game against Serbia U21s, where Elliott scored twice and provided a late assist, he continued to shine on the international stage.
Sporting the captain’s armband, Elliott led by example and contributed significantly to England’s fightback against Ukraine U21s. Despite Illya Kvasnytsya’s last-gasp winner for the opponents, Elliott’s late assist for Charlie Cresswell’s goal helped level the score, showcasing his leadership qualities.
Taking to Instagram after the game, Elliott expressed his pride, stating, “Dream come true to captain the side. Not the result we wanted but couldn’t be prouder of the boys. Back to the reds and back to work!”
This marks a significant moment for the 20-year-old midfielder, who had previously captained the team during the latter stages of the Serbia U21s game. The match against Ukraine U21s was his first time leading out his country at the U21 level, highlighting his growing influence in both club and international football.
Elliott’s versatility and impressive performances, starting as a wide right player in a 4-2-3-1 formation before moving into a two-man midfield, underline his potential for continued success. Despite strong competition for places at Liverpool following summer arrivals, Elliott has already managed to be involved in nine games during the 2023/24 season.
While the result against Ukraine U21s may not have been ideal, Elliott’s captaincy debut adds another layer to his burgeoning career, indicating a promising future for both the talented midfielder and England’s U21 squad.
