Jacob Ramsey is a player with a bright future ahead of him. That’s why he’s currently with England’s U21s competing at the 2023 European Under-21 Championship. Ramsey has featured in all four matches England have played at the tournament, even finding the back of the net in a win over Czechia.
It’s easy to see why Ramsey is considered among England’s next crop. The 22-year-old plays with a lot of energy and is inherently productive in the final third, highlighted by his record of six goals and seven assists in 35 Premier League appearances for Aston Villa last season. Ramsey is improving season-on-season.
Everything point to Ramsey’s development continuing and even accelerating. Last season was a challenging one for the midfielder with Steven Gerrard replaced by Unai Emery midway through the 2022/23 campaign. Under both managers, though, Ramsey proved himself as one of the most valuable players at Villa Park.
Next season promises to be an exciting one with Aston Villa set to participate in the Europa Conference League. Such was the dramatic improvement under Emery following his arrival last season, there is quiet confidence at Villa Park that the club could be pushing even higher up the table, possibly even into top four contention.
Emery’s approach is designed to create as many quick transition moments as possible and Ramsey’s quality has been harnessed by this. At his most devastating, the Englishman has the ability to beat a man and finish an opportunity, with his movement and willingness to break into the box making him particularly dangerous.
Usually deployed on the left side of Aston Villa’s attack, Emery gives Ramsey the freedom to cut inside and link up with Ollie Watkins as the number nine. Villa are reportedly in the market for a new left back to provide Ramsey with an overlapping option to help give him more space, but the system already plays to the 22-year-old’s strengths.
“He’s very focused to improve,” Emery said about Ramsey. “He’s very focused to take everything, tactically. We are demanding of him. He’s working, collectively and individually, a lot. He’s from Birmingham and we have to keep players like him because of the spirit he can add to the squad, with his quality as well. The next objective for him is to be the captain of the under-21s for the national team and then, in the future, the captain of the national team in England.”
It will be difficult for Ramsey to break into the senior England squad. Gareth Southgate’s midfield is stacked with elite level options including Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Mason Mount and Phil Foden. England are well on their way to qualifying for Euro 2024 where they will be among the frontrunners. There’s no reason for Southgate to disrupt his squad.
Nonetheless, Ramsey is only 22 and could be a big part of England’s future. His ability to operate in midfield and in an attacking role on the wing makes him an attractive option. If Southgate needs another midfielder to play as part of his central trio, Ramsey could answer the call. And if he needs an attacker to carry the ball and crash the box, Ramsey would be similarly useful.
Gerrard saw Ramsey’s potential, more than once calling him one of the best young players in the Premier League. Emery sees it too, but the former Arsenal and Sevilla boss could be the one to truly get the best out of the 22-year-old. One wonders if Southgate is taking notes on how he could use him for England too.
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