Kevin Phillips is of the belief that the England U21 team needs to send their best players to next summer's European Championships.
The likes of Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling, Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere, Gunners defender Calum Chambers and Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw have all been involved in Roy Hodgson's senior squad in recent times.
Chambers and Shaw have been called up for Gareth Southgate's squad for upcoming play-offs with Croatia, which is a good sign according to Phillips who also believes such players as Sterling should be taken to the Czech Republic next year to give the Young Lions every chance of saluting in the tournament.
"We have to get the balance right - but if it was my call I'd have no problem with Sterling going to the U21 Euros," ex-Sunderland, West Bromwich Albion and Leicester City striker Phillips wrote for Sky Sports.
"Hopefully he would help the team do well, then, when that group of players comes up to the national team, they've won something and know how it feels to win something in international football.
"I'm not saying that with Sterling they'd be guaranteed to win the U21 Euros but, if you look at the young players we have, they would stand a very good chance.
"These U21 players are going to be our future. If they come together in the summer they will know how each other plays - and when they do make the step up together, perhaps in time for Euro 2016, they'll have the togetherness and tournament experience which might make it easier for them as full internationals."
