Good news today that 20 year-old Newcastle winger Rolando Aarons has been named in the England U-21 squad for the UEFA European Championship Qualifier against Switzerland in Thun later this month.
Aarons has been injured most of the last couple of seasons, but he is now fit again and trying to break into the Newcastle’s first team with Rafa Benitez now the manager.
It’s great that the England U-21 manager Gareth Southgate has recognized the youngster’s talent.
Rolando Aarons – called up by England U-21 side
Duncan Watmore, Nathaniel Chalobah and Nathan Redmond have all been ruled out of the squad and that gives a chance to the talented Newcastle youngster.
This is what Gareth Southgate said about Rolando’s inclusion in the squad:
“For Rolando it is an opportunity for him to come with the Under-21s for the first time and a chance to impress us and get an understanding of the way we work.”
Two other youngsters in addition to Aarons get their first call-up for the U-21 squad – Swansea City’s Matt Grimes who is on loan at Blackburn and Isaac Hayden, on loan at Hull City from Arsenal.
Rolando has appeared 10 times for the Newcastle first team with two goals and already has made five appearances for the England U-20 squad with two goals.
Here is the full England U-21 squad:
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Sunderland), Christian Walton (Brighton & Hove Albion), Joe Wildsmith (Sheffield Wednesday).
Defenders: Calum Chambers (Arsenal), Ben Chilwell (Leicester City), Brendan Galloway (Everton), Kortney Hause (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Dominic Iorfa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Jack Stephens (Coventry City; on loan from Southampton), Matt Targett (Southampton).
Midfielders: Lewis Baker (Vitesse Arnhem; on loan from Chelsea), Matt Grimes (Blackburn Rovers; on loan from Swansea City), Isaac Hayden (Hull City; on loan from Arsenal), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chelsea), John Swift (Brentford; on loan from Chelsea), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).
Forwards: Rolando Aarons (Newcastle United), Chuba Akpom (Hull City; on loan from Arsenal), Demarai Gray (Leicester City), Jordon Ibe (Liverpool), Dominic Solanke (Vitesse Arnhem; on loan from Chelsea), James Wilson (Brighton & Hove Albion; on loan from Manchester Utd).
96 comments so far
Belfast
Mar 17, 2016 at 11:30 PM
Comment #81The people having problems with their phones should turn them off and on again.
Tsunki
Mar 17, 2016 at 11:32 PM
Comment #82Remember when PEA was all the rage? He just checked spurs out of Europe. Just thought I’d mention it.
Tsunki
Mar 17, 2016 at 11:37 PM
Comment #83I agree if they haven’t tried turning them off then on again then they just haven’t tried.
Blofal
Mar 17, 2016 at 11:42 PM
Comment #84I’m looking so forward to this Derby. I’m praying that Taylor doesnt get sent off cos its likely to happen. If we lose i think he might punch a mackem.
Belfast
Mar 17, 2016 at 11:42 PM
Comment #85Never fails skunki. I help run a business that does it. Lol
lesh
Mar 17, 2016 at 11:55 PM
Comment #86Hobbit
We live and learn. I’d never heard about Shields locals ‘dancing in the sand’ to help save ships.
Sounds more than plausible and not a bit racist.
lesh
Mar 17, 2016 at 11:58 PM
Comment #87Hibbit…..this phone will have you as Hobbit – it ain’t me.
ilovetoon8788
Mar 18, 2016 at 12:46 AM
Comment #88I will find it shocking if lvg is still managed next season for man utd. I think mourinho is their next manager.
toonincheek
Mar 18, 2016 at 12:55 AM
Comment #89I always remember my Uncle telling me that
a native of South Shields was a Shielydogger.
Anyone else heard that?
Sliema
Mar 18, 2016 at 12:59 AM
Comment #90Toonincheek
We are sand dancers and sand dancers only. I lived in Shields for 19 years and I never heard of that haha!
And yes definitely sand dancers guys. The pub the sand dancer will most certainly be named in honour of said nickname. It’s not a bad pub these days, brought back to life these last few years. As has the fountain actually near Horsley hill for any of you familiar. Really decent pub these days. Mix of football good cheap food and beer and a good amount of people most nights. Unfortunately not many more though.
The overrated Frenchman
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:01 AM
Comment #91Jib@26 – My great grandfather was one of those tin miners who came from Cornwall to work in the mines in the north-east.
Sliema
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:06 AM
Comment #92Mister tuff
I’m sorry but what the hell are you on about mate? It really does not matter about the origins of the nickname, although I thank you for enlightening me! We are sand dancers and strangely I have found that people all over the uk seem to know this too, none of them say, think or intend it in a racist way, it is an affectionate nickname for me and my townspeople and oddballs like yourself aren’t going to tell me it’s offensive. You are offensive. Bugger off.
toonincheek
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:13 AM
Comment #93Sliema,
I’m going back 60 years to when I was a lad.
19 years is recent.
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:18 AM
Comment #94Munster Mag
Very belated reply, but I had a bedsit in Jesmond when I was much younger. It wasn’t so posh then.
Although it’s probably been gentrified now.
toonincheek
Mar 18, 2016 at 1:19 AM
Comment #95And – my uncle was invalided out of the army
in the First World War after being gassed, so
go back 100 years for that expression.
Sliema
Mar 18, 2016 at 2:01 AM
Comment #96Toonincheek
19 years is recent when it’s not from my perspective. Also vs 60 years. I never did hear of it myself anyway. Maybe it got lost in time like many others I’d imagine? Sand dancer stuck anyway.