European U21 Championship: Sturridge to be this year's Hateley

Under 21 European Championships / Michael Lintorn / 08 June 2011 /

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After a successful loan spell at Bolton, Daniel Sturridge is England Under-21s' most likely hero in Denmark

"Hateley scored six goals in the knockout rounds as England took the trophy in 1984, firing four in one game against France then netting in the final against Spain to help land a move to AC Milan."

Michael Lintorn takes a look at some of England Under-21's European Championship heroes of years gone by and wonders who this year's star will be.

England Under-21s boss Stuart Pearce was perceived to have blown his audition for the senior role in Sweden two years ago when, having guided his side to the final, they were thumped 4-0 by Germany. That criticism was swiftly revised though when several of the players that opposite number Horst Hrubesch had at his disposal excelled at last summer's World Cup.

Indeed, Pearce's record as coach - reaching the semis in 2007, being runners-up in 2009 and rated second favourites to go one better this time at [5.2] - is pretty special given that they failed to qualify for seven of the nine tournaments prior to his arrival, and swiftly exited when they did make it.

That's not to say that the Young Lions have been without heroes in the competition, which they actually won twice in the 1980s before the lengthy lean period. The biggest one of all was Mark Hateley, who scored six goals in the knockout rounds as they took the trophy in 1984, firing four in one game against France then netting in the final against Spain to help land a move to AC Milan.

Of the strikers hoping to follow in the future full international's footsteps, Daniel Sturridge is the obvious candidate having proven his ability with eight goals in 11 Premier League starts at Bolton. Given his uncertain future at Chelsea, could he like Hateley use the Euros to earn a high-profile transfer?

The majority of England's saviours have been strikers but one notable exception was midfielder Gary Owen, who struck a decisive double in the first leg of the 1982 decider against West Germany as the Lions were crowned champions for the first time. There are no shortage of potential stars in that area with Liverpool-bound Jordan Henderson and highly-regarded Jack Rodwell both in the squad.

Mike Duxbury aside, there haven't been too many defensive idols for England, the boys at the back more often being scapegoats. Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach blundered against Germany in 2009 and Anton Ferdinand missed the crucial penalty in the epic shootout with the Netherlands in 2007.

It's about time that trend changed and with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones - if reports are to be believed a future Manchester United centre-back pairing - expected to start together, you wouldn't discount one of those two from having a career-defining few weeks.

Pearce's team are [3.45] to make a winning start on Sunday against Spain.

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