England coach Roy Hodgson was happy to include Everton midfielder Ross Barkley in his latest squad.
Hodgson has named uncapped Barkley and Tottenham winger Andros Townsend in his squad for England's World Cup qualifiers against Moldova and Ukraine.
Hodgson said: "He impressed me when I worked with him at St George's and at Sheffield Wednesday, and quite a few other people impressed at that that time - Raheem Sterling and of course Andros Townsend, who was on the radar before the Under-21s.
"In choosing these players we are giving ourselves a chance to look at players who are capable of having a bright future.
"I don't think there is a question that this is a philosophy of we will only play this or that type of player. Players like Barkley, Townsend and Sterling can make a difference and in a team they can be players that make a big impact. They are there on merit. It's nice that they're younger.
"I would expect them in the coming years to share roles. I don't expect them not to play a part in the Under-21s. Players need to understand because the door is open at senior level, it doesn't mean you close the door at Under-21 level."
