Reserve squad centre-back Michael Mancienne (pictured) was involved in all three games for England Under 19s in what proved an unsuccessful European Championship qualification tournament.

 

The young England side played matches in the Midlands over the last week against Russia, the Netherlands and Czech Republic but were struggling for the one qualification place from the moment they lost 2-0 to the Russians at Walsall.

 

Manciennce, who spent the bulk of last season on loan at QPR where he made 30 appearances, played the whole of that opening game, as he did the second one against the Dutch.

 

That was held at Coventry and England, already one-down due to an own-goal, then missed a penalty before conceding a spot-kick themselves. It was converted with England scoring in the final minute to go down 2-1.

 

Another Chelsea reserve, Jack Cork, had been a late call-up to the squad and remained on the bench for both of these games.

 

He was handed a start in midfield against the Czech side on Sunday when a small consolation for not making the Finals was earned with a 2-0 win. Mancienne played the first-half.

 

Russia ultimately qualified on goal difference.

 

Chelsea's own Under 19 squad was involved in an eight-team tournament in Holland over the weekend featuring clubs such as Ajax, Feyenoord, Boca Juniors and Atlético Mineiro from South America, and the Zambia national U19s.

 

Chelsea reached the semi-finals where they lost on penalties to eventual winners PSV Eindhoven.

 

They will play a three-team tournament in Germany this coming weekend before the summer break begins.