DOMINIC IS ON TOP OF THE WORLD AHEAD OF U21 DEBUT
a BaNK of television screens in the foyer of St George’s Park has provided dominic calvert-Lewin with a frequent reminder.
Every time he has walked around the National Football centre this week, he has watched the goal he scored against Venezuela in June that made England Under 20s world champions, with the clip a centrepiece of a montage.
Life has changed dramatically for the Everton striker, who this time 12 months ago had just completed a £1.5million move to Goodison Park from Sheffield United, but his approach to football has not.
calvert-Lewin is a key figure after being promoted to a new U21 squad who begin their quest to reach Euro 2019 in italy and San Marino with their first qualifier in Holland this evening. But he does not assume aidy Boothroyd will make him fulcrum of his team.
‘if you were to think you have made it now then you have lost the battle,’ said 20-year- old calvertLewin. ‘it would be daft of me to assume that i am playing or i deserve to start. there is plenty of talent here in the team.
‘You only have to look at tammy (abraham) who is playing for Swansea week in, week out and playing well and was on fire in the championship last year. We are all fighting it out at our clubs and we want to show that when we come away with England.
‘You can’t rest on your laurels for a second. For a young player like me, it is good because it means you are always looking for the next thing. if you come on and score in a game, you have got to produce in training the next day. You have to earn your place and you can’t get complacent.’
calvert-Lewin has started the season in excellent form — and Wayne rooney has been crucial.
‘it is brilliant to have a player like that around,’ said calvert-Lewin. ‘i’m an England fan, i grew up watching England. i grew up watching Wayne rooney. You know the things he tells you are coming from an experienced place. if he tells you, “Well done”, you know you’ve earned it.’
ENGLAND UNDER 21 (probable, 4-2-3-1): Gunn; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Fry, Chilwell; Cook, Davies; Gray, Calvert-Lewin, Solanke; Abraham.
Referee: Ola Hobber Nilsen (Sweden). TV: LIVE on FreeSports (Freeview channel 95, Sky channel 424) from 5pm.