The England U17 squad's first match was against France at St. George's Park—a prestige friendly designed to test tactical preparations before the crucial European Championship qualifiers. Johnson had selected a strong starting eleven, with Cruyff named on the bench for his first international squad involvement.
[Match Significance: First international experience at any level]
[Role: Substitute, learning opportunity]
[Opposition: France U17s - defending European champions]
Sitting on the bench, Cruyff studied the match with an intensity that caught Johnson's attention. While other substitutes chatted or focused on their warm-up routines, he was analyzing French positioning, identifying their tactical weaknesses, noting how England's starting eleven were coping with international-level pressure.
France were everything their reputation suggested—technically gifted, tactically sophisticated, comfortable in possession. Their midfield trio moved the ball with precision and creativity that reminded Cruyff of professional matches he'd watched in his previous life.
But England were holding their own. Taylor and his midfield partner were competing well in the center of the pitch, creating chances through intelligent movement and quick passing combinations.
The game remained scoreless until the thirty-eighth minute, when France's playmaker—a slight, elegant number 10 from PSG's academy—created the opening goal with a perfectly weighted through ball that split England's defense.
1-0 to France.
[France Goal: High-quality individual creation]
[England Response: Need for increased creativity and risk-taking]
Johnson made tactical adjustments at halftime, switching to a more attacking formation and emphasizing quicker forward passing. But France adapted well, sitting deeper and looking to exploit England's increased attacking commitment on the counter.
In the sixty-second minute, Johnson turned to the bench.
"Jensen, get warm. You're going on for Matthews."
[International Debut Moment]
[Pressure: Maximum for youth level]
[Objective: Impact the game positively in limited time]
As Cruyff stripped off his tracksuit and prepared for his first England appearance, Johnson offered final instructions.
"Their number six has been getting tight to Taylor all match. I want you to drift wide occasionally, drag him out of position, create space for others. Don't try to be the hero—just play your natural game."
[Tactical Role: Create space and opportunities for teammates]
[Approach: Team-first contribution over individual moments]
Running onto the St. George's Park pitch wearing an England shirt felt like stepping into a dream. The few hundred spectators included scouts from across Europe, coaches from Premier League academies, and officials from various national federations. This was elite youth football at its highest level.
Cruyff's first touch was simple—a pass back to the center-back to maintain possession. Nothing spectacular, but executed with the composure that had become his trademark under pressure.
His second involvement was more significant. England won a throw-in in an advanced position, and France's defense had set up to deal with the obvious delivery into the penalty area.
But Cruyff had spotted a different option. He gestured to the throw-in taker and pointed to his own feet. The short throw allowed England to maintain possession while France's defense was still positioned for a long delivery.
With space to work, Cruyff immediately looked for Taylor's run into the penalty area. But France's defensive midfielder was tracking the movement well, leaving no clear passing lane.
Instead, Cruyff noticed that England's right-back had pushed forward and was now unmarked twenty yards from goal. A simple square pass put the defender in an excellent shooting position, and his strike was only narrowly saved by France's goalkeeper.
[Chance Created: Intelligent recognition of unexpected option]
[Team Impact: Immediate positive contribution to England's attacking play]
"Good spot!" Taylor called out as they prepared for the resulting corner. "Didn't see him at all!"
The assist didn't come, but the opportunity showed England's coaches that Cruyff could adapt his game to international level quickly and effectively.
His second significant contribution came in the seventy-eighth minute. France were protecting their lead through patient possession, keeping England at arm's length through superior technical ability.
But when England finally won the ball back, Cruyff was perfectly positioned to receive it in space. France's playmaker, tired from seventy-eight minutes of high-intensity football, was slow to close down the pass.
For the first time in the match, Cruyff had genuine time and space to create something special.
England had four players making forward runs—Taylor centrally, wingers wide, the right-back overlapping. But Cruyff saw the best option: England's striker making a delayed run that would take him beyond France's defense just as they expected the ball to be played wide.
The through ball was perfect, splitting two defenders and finding the striker in stride. His finish was emphatic, crashing into the top corner with authority.
1-1.
[Assist: International debut goal contribution]
[Performance: Exceptional impact in limited minutes]
[Recognition: Immediate validation at highest youth level]
"Yes!" The striker shouted, running toward Cruyff with arms raised. "What a pass! How did you see that?"
"You made the perfect run," Cruyff replied, embracing his teammate. "Just had to find you."
[Team Integration: Immediate acceptance through performance]
[Confidence: Massive boost from international success]
The match ended 1-1, but England's comeback had been largely attributed to Cruyff's impact as a substitute. Johnson's post-match comments reflected the coaching staff's satisfaction.
"Good performance from the lads. We showed character to come back against quality opposition, and the substitutes made real contributions when called upon."
Privately, Johnson offered more specific feedback.
"Excellent debut. You showed composure, intelligence, and most importantly, you made the players around you better. That's what international football is about—collective excellence."
[International Debut: Successful]
[Status: Strong consideration for European Championship qualifiers]
[Development: Proven ability at elite youth international level]
In the residence that evening, Cruyff reflected on the remarkable journey that had brought him from Forest's youth trial to an England shirt in less than eight months. The progression had been faster than even his most optimistic projections, but it had been earned through consistent performance and continuous adaptation.
[System Assessment: Major milestone achieved ahead of schedule]
[Next Objectives: Secure place in England squad, continue club development]
[Long-term Goal: Professional contract and potential Premier League pathway now realistic within 18 months]
Tomorrow would bring new challenges, new opportunities to prove himself worthy of the England shirt. But tonight, wearing the Three Lions crest to bed, Cruyff allowed himself a moment of quiet satisfaction.
The path back to Arsenal was no longer a distant dream—it was a realistic goal with a clear timeline. All he had to do was maintain the standards that had brought him this far, while continuing to adapt and improve at whatever level football demanded of him next.