THERE’S NO CHANCE TO CHIL OUT FOR LIONS NEW BOY
BEN CHILWELL says he has not been allowed to ease himself into life as a senior England player.
The Leicester City full-back made his first start on Friday, earning plaudits for his performance in the goalless draw with Croatia.
And the 21-year-old (right) has been impressed by the intensity the squad brings to the job of representing England.
He explained: “Everyone is so competitive.
Everyone wants to win everything. Whatever you do, whether it’s a race in the warm-up, or a small-sided game at the end, everything everyone does is to win.
“You can’t come into this squad and just try to ease your way into training and get by. You have to stamp your mark immediately or you won’t be accepted into the squad.”
It has been a steep rise for Chilwell who, only 20 months ago, was accused by Millwall veteran Steve Morison of being too scared to take throw-ins in Leicester’s FA Cup defeat at The Den.
As he celebrated his full debut, Chilwell laughed: “It was a load of rubbish. I think one of the older Millwall players maybe wanted to get at one of the young boys. It was strange, but each to their own.”
Chilwell has fellow Foxes Harry Maguire and James Maddison – hoping for his debut tonight – in the squad. “For a club like Leicester it’s brilliant to have three players involved, and for me and Harry to be playing, it’s amazing,” he said.
“I’m sure James will get his chance, he’s playing very well.” De Gea, Azpilicueta, Nacho, Ramos, Alonso, Busquets, Alcantara, Saul, Asensio, Rodrigo, Aspas.
Szymon Marciniak (Poland) Spain England Croatia P W D 2 2 0 2 0 1 2 0 1 L F 0 8 1 1 1 0 A Pts 1 6 2 1 6 1 RAHEEM STERLING is changing his game from box of tricks to fox in the box.
The 23-year-old has been in superb form for Manchester City this season, scoring four goals and making himself an automatic choice in manager Pep Guardiola’s starting XI.
For England the goals have been harder to come by but Sterling says his lengthy three-year drought with the national team is about to end.
“The main thing now is to keep trying to be a goal threat,” the fomer Liverpool winger said. “When I was a bit younger I wasn’t too interested in scoring goals, I was all about trying to look nice and show people I’ve got a lot of ability.
“But now I’ve started to realise that no-one remembers the fancy stuff you do on the pitch, it’s about your effectiveness and what you do for your team.
“I understand that now, and it’s especially true for the national team.
“I think I’m probably more driven now to be able to get on the end of things, being in the box a lot more.
“Before, I was going wide and trying to beat a player. Now I’m looking to get on the end of stuff, sniffing around for scraps and trying to make goals for myself.
“I’m much more confident when I’m in and around the penalty area now so I feel the goals will come for