Derby boss has production line of talent for Dragons & Three Lions
HARRY WILSON has thanked Frank Lampard for helping him and housemate Mason Mount – and admits his only fear is a surprise home visit from the Derby boss. The on-loan Liverpool winger has two goals for Lamps’ side, including a stunning free-kick (below) in their shock Carabao Cup success at Manchester United.
Midfielder Mount, 19, on loan from Chelsea, has also caught the eye with five goals for Lampard’s attacking side who play 4-3-3. It has earned him a full England call-up for the forthcoming double-header with Croatia and Spain.
Wales star Wilson is also on the international stage tomorrow, when Spain visit Cardiff, and is grateful for the help of rookie boss and exEngland and Chelsea ace Lampard.
“He’s been great,” said Wilson, 21. “I spoke to him on the phone before I came to Derby. What he told me about how he wanted his team to play made me realise it was the right club for me. Since I’ve been there I have learned a lot. The way we have played in the last month or so has shown how we have progressed as a team.
“I feel fit and strong and am really enjoying my football at the minute.
“I live with Mason and he has been great for us too and is scoring and assisting. He has deserved his call-up.
“He is a great lad, a top professional and good to live with, but a bit messy.
“Hopefully the gaffer doesn’t come around soon because it’s a bit dirty at the minute! It’s just the two of us there, his side is the messy side and I try to keep mine clean.
“We go to the cinema together, go shopping, go out for food and we try to do that with a couple of our team-mates as well. We are setting up a Derby, ‘Come Dine with Me’.”
Wilson’s superb left-foot free-kick from 30 yards made it 1-1 at Old Trafford before Derby went on to win on penalties after it finished 2-2.
The star even teased the home crowd with his ‘five times’ celebration after scoring which referenced how many times Liverpool have won the European Cup.
He says it went down well back home on Merseyside, and the youngster hopes to take freekicks against Spain if Gareth Bale can’t play because of injury. Wilson added: “If Gareth isn’t on the pitch I will be putting my name forward.
“I have been practising a bit and if I can hit one half as good as the other night I will be happy.
“I think the Liverpool fans enjoyed it. Jurgen Klopp messaged me after the United game. He just said, ‘Fantastic free-kick, really great football’.
“It’s great to hear from the manager whose team you want to be in in the future.”