Jeremy Monga scored for England Under-18s in their 3-2 win over the Netherlands, offering a timely reminder of his ability during a difficult loan spell away from Manchester City.
The 17-year-old winger joined Swansea City on loan in the summer, with hopes he would showcase his ability at first team level and return to the Etihad ready to push for involvement. However, the switch has not gone to plan, with Monga yet to feature for the Swans, who sit sixth in the Championship after a good start to the campaign.
Swansea boss Vitor Matos has put Monga's absence down to the talent and consistency of those ahead of him. It is not a good look for City to see a player they paid £10million for in the summer struggle to get into a second tier side, making his England call-up a welcome respite from his club woes.
City stars feature across England age groups
Monga's City teammates Ben Vickery and Marlow Barrett also started the game against the Netherlands, while Teddie Lamb came off the bench. In total, 21 Blues were away with England's age-group sides from Under-17 to Under-21.
Dante Headley, Ryan McAiddo and Kaden Braithwaite started for the Under-19s on Wednesday as they won 4-1 at Slovenia in a qualifier for next summer's European Championship. Harrison Miles and Dexter Oliver were unused substitutes in a game in which former City man Reigan Heskey scored twice for the Young Lions.
Xavier Parker enhanced his burgeoning reputation with a brace for England Under-17s in a 6-1 victory over Montenegro. His City teammate Darren Motsi weighed in with an assist, while Theo Carrington and Noah Smith were unused subs in the European Championship qualifier.
Gueke shines for Under-18s and earns Cameroon call-up
Will Gueke was the smallest player on the pitch for the Under-18s against Burnley a few weeks ago and, at just 15, one of the youngest. Under-18s boss Lauris Coggin is already having to give opportunities to his Under-16s because older players are being taken by the Under-21s and the first team, but Gueke played like one of the oldest heads on the pitch.
The holding midfielder smashed in a shot from the edge of the box to give his team the lead and then kept his cool once City were reduced to 10 men, leading the rest of the side with vocal encouragement and making smart decisions whenever the ball came near him.
"Our thoughts are only about the team and Will epitomises that," Coggin told the Manchester Evening News. "What he's shown throughout the season with his openness, a smile, his quality and the hard work is what he delivers every day. Really pleased for the group and he's a shining light of what we're trying to show."
"If you deserve it and you show the right habits and willing to adapt to our culture, you'll get opportunities regardless of the size of the squad. The players that deserve to play will play."
It was telling that, when Coggin was able to name a much stronger team for a Premier League U18 Cup game against Burnley, Gueke kept his place behind the likes of Oliver, Lamb and Parker. The race to sign Gueke at international level is already fierce, and having played for England youth teams on a number of occasions, Gueke is away with Cameroon Under-17s this week.
