Savage out to better dad Robbie as U21s eye finals

Former Wales international Robbie Savage (right) is a regular watcher of son Charlie

Charlie Savage is keen to make a name for himself – and knows he can make a start by achieving something his father could not.

The Reading midfielder is the son of Robbie Savage, the former Wales international who won 39 caps during a 346-game Premier League career with the likes of Leicester City, Birmingham City and Blackburn Rovers.

But the player-turned-pundit and BBC 606 host never qualified for a finals with his country – something Savage Jnr is aiming to do this week.

The Reading youngster is part of Matty Jones’ Wales Under-21 side that need just a point against Czech Republic in Newport on Friday to reach the play-offs for next summer’s European Championships.

They could yet qualify automatically, either as one of the best runners-up across the qualifying groups or if rivals Denmark drop points in their final fixture on Tuesday.

Charlie Savage has played 10 times for Reading this season, scoring three goals

Savage, 21, says he will be tempted to message his dad should he and Wales pull off the feat.

But he is more focused on finding his own way, adding he has never been bothered by what comes with being the son of a star who split opinions during a lengthy top-level career.

“You could say I have had to cope with the name, but I don’t really think about it and it’s something that doesn’t affect me,” said Savage, who has two senior caps.

“I’m proud to have my dad as my dad, somebody who’s had an amazing career.

“Hopefully I’m making a name for myself. Every young player whose dad also played wants to be their own player and be recognised for who they are themselves, but it doesn’t bother me.”

Savage, like his father, started out at Manchester United.

But after making a solitary appearance for United, in a Champions League game against Young Boys in 2021, he followed up a loan spell at Forest Green Rovers in League Two with a permanent switch to League One Reading.

His time at the Berkshire club has coincided with Reading’s off-the-field issues, including a failed takeover and EFL embargoes.

“As a young player ideally it would be better not to have that noise,” he said while hailing the management of Royals boss Ruben Selles.

“But as a club and staff, we have dealt with it really well. We have pulled through adversity and tough times and it’s made me not only a better player but a better person.”

Despite a wonder goal from Aaron Ramsey, Wales Under-21s missed out to England the last time they came close to qualifying for a Euro finals in 2008

His Wales boss Jones will look to such experience as the young Dragons aim to become the first to qualify for an under-21 tournament in the country’s history.

The closest Wales have come was 15 years ago, when a side containing Joe Allen and Aaron Ramsey missed out to an England team with Joe Hart and James Milner among their ranks.

Savage, who trained with Craig Bellamy’s senior side earlier this week as they prepared for a Nations League trip to Iceland, said Ramsey had wished him luck in taking the next step.

Savage made his full debut under Rob Page in last year's friendly against Gibraltar.

“There’s a fine balance between making the step up to the seniors but also wanting to do really well for the under-21s, but as a group I think we’ve got that balance," Savage added.

“It’s a great to be able to shift between the age groups and every time someone steps up or does well, we’re on the group chat.

“There’s a real family feel here in the squad. I can’t speak highly enough of the manager, who treats us all like sons.

“The effort that has gone into the last two years of qualifying, we’ve built up a real bond and qualifying would mean the world to us.

“Hopefully it gives us the platform to step up and there’s a number of us who will be able to look back at this moment.”