It’s Toff LOVE
EVERTON wonderkid Ademola Lookman has paid tribute to club boss Ronald Koeman for his part in England Under-20s’ bid to conquer the world.
Paul Simpson’s Three Lions cubs are through to the World Cup Final in South Korea today where they face Venezuela.
And Lookman, one of FIVE Evertonians in the squad, has revealed how Toffees supremo Koeman assisted the charge for glory.
While many of his Premier League counterparts put club interests before those of England towards the end of the campaign, the Dutchman is an exception to the rule.
Koeman agreed to rest all of his Three Lions starlets for the Goodison Park club’s final two league games of the campaign so they would be in peak condition for the finals.
Winger Lookman, 19, who cost £10million from Charlton in January, said: “My Everton manager Ronald Koeman got in touch to congratulate me on reaching the
final, which I was very happy about.
“He has understood from the start of things what a huge tournament the Under-20s World Cup is.
“It’s the second biggest FIFA tournament in the world.
“He knows that the opportunity for me to play in it – and represent my country – is so big.”
Koeman’s generosity has worked wonders so far, with Simpson’s troops beating Argentina, South Korea, Costa Rica, Mexico and Italy en route to today’s showpiece in Suwon.
And few have been more influential than playmaker Lookman, who earlier this year snubbed a chance to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria, which is where both of his parents were born.
Having not lost any of his eight appearances with Everton, the former Charlton ace has maintained that unbeaten streak with England this summer.
And Lookman, who scored in the 3-1 semi-final victory over Italy, believes the squad’s collective spirit means they can cope with the expectations of becoming only the second England side to lift a World Cup.
He added: “A lot of this group have been together a long time.
“That helps us stay focused. Nobody has had a downer being away from home for this long.
“Our motivation is to win the final but we’re not putting any pressure on ourselves by thinking about making history.”
Meanwhile, Venezuela keeper Wuilker Farinez is staying cool ahead of today’s final, just as he did in the semi-final penalty shootout.
The stopper, 19, who plays for Caracas in the Venezuelan Primera Division, was the hero of the semi-final win over Uruguay after he saved two spot-kicks.
He said: “We have to remember that we’re Venezuela, that we’re a team and a country that’s coming on fast.
“For the last two and a half years we’ve been thinking that this is our time, telling ourselves that we can be the best and that we need to have faith. We’re so proud to reach the final.” England v Venezuela Today, 11am, British Eurosport 2