Fiorini inspired by City slicker
Scots Under-21s new boy loves Foden
SCOTLAND UNDER-21s new boy Lewis Fiorini watched Manchester City team-mate Phil Foden go from struggling to get a game with his club’s Academy to become an England star and he’s determined to follow in his footsteps with both club and country.
The midfielder has been called up to Scot Gemmill’s squad for the first time for Tuesday’s crucial Euro qualifier in Lithuania as the Under-21s get back to action following a 10-month break.
Fiorini, 18, has been sent on a season-long loan to NAC Breda. But with Etihad Stadium-star Foden just two years older than him and already playing for England, Fiorini is determined to make an impact too.
He said: ‘I’ve been aware of Phil since I was about eight. So I’ve watched him grow from just a little boy to when he was going through hard times in the Academy.
‘But he’s risen from the Under18s right through to the first team. Now he’s made the England side, so he’s made big steps.
‘I think when he was about 15 or 16 there were a lot of lads in his age group who were promoted and he stayed behind. Obviously, that can be something that is hard to deal with. I think he struggled at the time. But he got stronger and trusted in his football ability.
‘He’s the perfect example and inspiration for us all at City because he’s a local lad and he’s been patient. It shows that, eventually, you can make it into the team.’
Fiorini, who qualifies for Scotland through his late grandmother, is so highly thought of at City that he was promoted into Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad last season to train with them. And it’s an experience he wants more of when he returns to the club.
He said: ‘When the lads went back to training, I was lucky enough to be one of five youngsters who trained with the first team.
‘So we went to Lisbon for the Champions League game against Lyon. That was a great experience, even though I obviously wasn’t playing. Just to be around it was brilliant and I learned so much.
They have got 20, 25 world-class players in that squad so you have got to be at it every day.
‘You do gravitate towards the home-based lads and the boys who have come up from the Academy like Phil, Kyle Walker, Scott Carson and the likes. But even the more experienced ones like Fernandinho and David Silva, before he left, helped me out and gave me bits of information.
‘The manager’s influence is more on the pitch really. If he sees something he does or doesn’t like he is not afraid to voice his opinion. He’s so intense and on top of everything every day. If you are not at it, he will make sure you know it. So that’s why training with the first team was a good environment for me. You can’t have one day off.
‘I was training with Kevin De Bruyne and it’s difficult to get the ball off him. You think you have got him and then he just plucks a 40-yard pass out of nowhere.
‘I definitely look at the things he does and how he plays. Obviously, he plays for the club I support so it’s an easy one for me to watch him and see how good he is on the ball. I try and bring parts of his game into mine.’
Fiorini is delighted to be part of
Gemmill’s group for the game in Vilnius and his fanatical Citysupporting dad will be a proud man if he makes his Under-21s debut.
He said: ‘I’ve enjoyed it with Scotland. I’m learning from some good players. I didn’t realise how much experience there is in the squad. Even though it’s an Under-21s team, so many of those here are playing first-team football.
‘My dad is the biggest City fan you could meet. He’s been through the hard times. Playing for Scotland means just as much to me even though I’ve not got that direct connection. Pulling the shirt on will make me and my dad so proud.’