England fans demand Thomas Tuchel promote 'way too good' U21s player to the senior squad after Czech Republic game

A large section of England fans have urged Thomas Tuchel to take action after they tuned in to watch the young Three Lions in their U21 European Championship opener.

England began the defence of their U21 European Championship crown on Thursday with a 3-1 win over the Czech Republic, as goals from Harvey Elliott, Jonathan Rowe and Charlie Cresswell sealed a relatively straight-forward three points.

Coming into the game in Group B, head coach Lee Carsley was met with a number of squad withdrawals, including Chelsea's Liam Delap, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Tottenham's Dane Scarlett, who were all forced to withdraw due to medical issues.

Tino Livramento, meanwhile, was included in Carsley's side after he was left out by Thomas Tuchel for games against Andorra and Senegal.

Given how well he played for club side Newcastle last season, especially towards the end of the 2024/25 campaign, many were surprised when the 22-year-old full-back was dropped, although the U21's have certainly benefited from the decision.

Livramento produced a Man of the Match performance against Czechia, and fans on social media made their feelings clear, both during and after the game on Thursday.

One said: "Tino Livramento is wayyyyyy too good for this level," while another commented: "Should’ve been a senior international agessss ago."

A third wrote: "Just one of the many English RBs better than 2025 Kyle Walker."

A fourth said: "Tino Livramento has been absolutely excellent for England tonight. Actually think it’s the right call to give him tournament experience with the U21s. Will be invaluable when he makes the regular step into the senior setup. An outstanding talent."

A fifth added: "You can just see Tino Livramento in the best player on the park by a country mile. Should be starting for senior team."

Thomas Tuchel's comments on Tino Livramento ahead of the U21 European Championship

After deciding against giving the defender a call-up, Tuchel opened up on his decision as he spoke about Kyle Walker's display in their 3-1 defeat to Senegal.

"I am aware that Kyle gets a lot of criticism for his performance yesterday and I am sure that we are all aware that he had not his best day," he said.

"Trent Alexander-Arnold is also out of rhythm lately in the week, so it is also a little bit about alternatives who could have been with us.

"We decided to give for example, Tino Livramento, the chance to play his last tournament for the under-21s which is high valuable tournament for us to see him there in a leadership role - taking responsibility, knowing that it is on his shoulders."

Tuchel added: “So yeah, we did not make ourselves easy with the nomination. I can see. I can understand the question."

Livramento took home the Man of the Match award after his display against the Czech Republic. Image credit: Getty

Lee Carsley, meanwhile, was full of praise for Livramento.

"He’s a top player. An excellent player," he said. "Tino’s had some injuries in the past which have held him back. Without those injuries, I think he’d have been a lot further ahead now than where he is in terms of pushing for a senior position.

“So, he’s highly-rated both on and off the pitch. The fact that he can play two or three positions (is ideal). I remember the first camp I ever had with Tino was an Under-20s one and I might have played him on the right wing.

“He always turns up with so much enthusiasm. We’ve tried to help him as much as we can when he’s here as well, in terms of when things haven’t been going so well for him. We’ve still picked him and still tried to give him game time. He fully deserves to be here, and I expect him to have a massive future with the senior team.”