England U21 can learn from Germans, says Pearce

England Under-21 coach Stuart Pearce admits his side can learn plenty from their German counterparts after Germany’s 2-0 home win over their old rivals.

Goals by Hanover’s Konstantin Rausch and Frankfurt’s Cenk Tosun sealed Germany’s 2-0 over the English in Wiesbaden on Tuesday night and Pearce was impressed with what he saw.

“Compared with Germany, we in England still have a lot of catching up to do in terms of development,” said Pearce, who was Fabio Capello’s assistant coach with the senior England side at the last World Cup.

“I wish that more of our young players played in the Premier League.”

Most of the Germany side already play regularly in the Bundesliga, while their English counterparts have more limited opportunities at their Premier League clubs in England in comparison.

In a rematch of the final of the 2009 Under-21 European Championships, when Germany beat England 4-0, the hosts beat their 10-man rivals with goals either side of half-time.

Rausch opened the scoring after 37 minutes and Tosun then netted a penalty after England’s goalkeeper Jason Steele was sent off.

Although the visitors played with a midfielder as goalkeeper for the remainder of the game, Germany missed a couple of chances and slowed the pace of the game down to hold on for the win.

Germany Under-21 coach Rainer Adrion was deprived of several key players including Mainz youngsters Andre Schuerrle and Lewis Holtby who have been promoted to the senior side for Wednesday’s friendly against Sweden.

Senior coach Joachim Loew has selected six players for his squad who are 22 years old or younger including 18-year-old teenager Mario Goetze.

Germany finished third at the World Cup in South Africa with a squad whose average age was just under 25 years.