Steve Davis encouraged by Steve Holland's appointment as Under-21 coach

Moldova and Finland.Steve Davis says that the appointment of the former Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Holland as a coach for the England Under-21 side will prove to be a shrewd one going forward. Holland will balance his work with Chelsea under Jose Mourinho to assist the newly appointed Under-21 manager Gareth Southgate, starting with the two fixtures coming up against

Holland’s vast experience with working with youngsters at Crewe, Chelsea and briefly at Stoke City sees him as an ideal candidate to shape an English identify of play for the future.

Steve Davis told the club’s official web-site: “It was good to see Steve appointed as a coach within the FA because he is a top quality coach and is highly regarded throughout the country. He has coached young players here, managed here and coached elite players at Chelsea so he has a wealth of experience.

“I am sure he was very high on the FA’s shortlist and I am sure Steve will add to the talent we have at youth level. I am sure he looked at it and was keen to it because the FA is looking into developing a style of play.

“England don’t really have an identity or style of play that is known around the world, and that is what we need to get first and foremost going forward.

“Hopefully, with people like Steve Holland involved we will be able to start that with the young players.”