Sunderland Echo

Mawson fired up to prove his worth

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Alfie Mawson accepts he may not be a household name among England fans, but the Swansea defender is ready to prove he belongs in a Three Lions shirt.

The 24-year-old is one of four uncapped players in Gareth Southgate’s squad as England prepare to face Holland tomorrow.

“A lot of people wouldn’t even have heard of my name until this call-up and a lot of people are probably thinking ‘how on earth has he got a callup’,” said the ex-Barnsley star.

“It’s humbling to be here. It’s all come so quick, I never thought four of five years ago I’d be called up for the senior team. I used to say things like this don’t happen to people like myself but clearly they can.

“I’m very proud to be English and to be an English footballer. To possibly pull on a full England shirt and bellow out the national anthem, with the horrible voice I have, I’d love it.” Mawson’s excitement at being around the squad so close to this summer’s World Cup is tangible in every word, but it should not be mistaken for wide-eyed naivety. “I don’t want come in and be someone who they look at and think ‘he’s a youg lad, out of his depth’.

“I’m 24 now, for me that’s not such a youngster anymore. John Stones (23), Eric Dier (24), these players have been here for years. Why can’t I try to mould myself into something like that?

“You don’t want to step on anyone’s toes, be too loud or too assertive, especially when I haven’t got a cap, but in training it comes out.

“In my position, you have to talk, you have to be a voice and be a leader regardless.”

 ??  ?? Defender Alfie Mawson.
Defender Alfie Mawson.

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