Explained: Why 35-year-old Adam Lallana is with the England U-21 squad as fans shocked after spotting ex-Liverpool midfielder in training video

When England posted a video of day one of this month's training camp, some fans couldn't get their head around 35-year-old Lallana being with the group of Young Lions as it initially gave the impression that the Brighton veteran was just another member of the squad.

Even though he's still playing fairly regularly with Brighton - 19 Premier League appearances so far this season - Lallana already has an eye on the future and his role with England's Under-21 squad is in a coaching capacity. The midfielder first took on the role during the September international break, mentoring the next generation of England players and honing his own coaching skills.

Speaking about his experience with England after his first camp with the squad in September, Lallana said: "It was an amazing insight for me into what may lie in the future, I was delighted with the opportunity and thankful to Brighton and Roberto [De Zerbi] for not just being happy for me to go, but excited that I got the opportunity.

"I was involved in training and took a few little bits, just being that bridge between the coaches and the players. I am still playing in the Premier League so I will still experience the same things as those boys – frustrations, losing and winning as a player.

"When you're young you want everything now, you can be inpatient, so I can help in those areas, while also getting an opportunity to see the blueprint of being a successful coach."

Lallana was named England's senior men's player of the year in 2016 ahead of Jamie Vardy and Wayne Rooney in second and third respectively. But with injuries later taking a toll on his club career, he played his last England game in 2018 at the age of just 29.

Lallana will turn 36 in May and is out of contract with Brighton at the end of the season. His role with the Seagulls in 2023/24 has predominantly been as a substitute but he may yet get the opportunity to extend his playing career into at least another year should he wish. But with the seeds of a coaching career planted, it also wouldn't be a surprise were he to decide to retire come summer.