
‘There's always someone watching' – Samuel Iling-Junior out to gatecrash England's World Cup squad by starring for U21s
SAMUEL ILING-JUNIOR hopes a successful European Championship can springboard him into Aston Villa's first-team - and World Cup contention.
The versatile wing-back, 21, arrived at Villa Park from
3
Samuel Iling-Junior hopes a big Euros will lead to a breakthrough with both Villa and England
Credit: Getty
3
The starlet left Juventus to join Unai Emery's Villa last year
Credit: EPA
However, he stayed put in Italy to spend the first half of the campaign
Weeks later
And it was while playing for the Championship club that he decided he wants his future to be at left-back.
Iling-Junior, who is battling with
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
'It's an honour to be one of the players that the manager has chosen and I want to repay that on the pitch.
'Tino has obviously had that great season with Newcastle. The competition is always healthy. If I can bring out the best of him and he brings out the best of me and we go and win the tournament then it's happy days.'
Iling-Junior has represented England at every level bar the seniors and has seen several of his team-mates graduate into the Three Lions first-team.
And he knows this month's tournament in Slovakia could lead to a huge season ahead for him at both club and international level as he revealed his ambitions for the coming 12 months.
Most read in Football
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS
He said: 'You have to put the World Cup in your sights and knock on that door or at least put myself in a position to be knocking on that door.
'There's a pathway and there's always someone watching. All the boys that have made their debut from the U21s and are now in that squad, that just goes to show that if you keep putting your mind to it and work with the coaches then you'll get repaid for your hard work.
England's biggest divers of the season crowned... as shocking record revealed
'And definitely get back into Villa after this tournament and have some conversations and make an impact there as well.
'Unai Emery has always had conversations with me, so that helps. and he's kept track of my loans. So that's definitely a good relationship and once we get back after the tournament then we'll have those conversations.
'But, for now, it's definitely just focusing on the Euros and we'll see when I get back to Villa.'
Iling-Junior has already tasted Euro joy with England at U19 level and was part of the Juventus side alongside the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Adrien Rabiot that beat Atalanta to lift the Coppa Italia last season.
3
He added: 'Winning the Coppa Italia, winning a trophy, is one of the best feelings I've had.
'Juventus is a big, big club and I learned what winning actually meant there, and not just winning, dominating and that's a really nice feeling knowing that you're part of history.
'I enjoyed the pressure there. That gave me motivation each game to go out with a bit of pressure and do what I enjoy. Winning the Euros would definitely be up there with that.'
England kick-off their Euro campaign against the Czech Republic on Thursday.
They then face Slovenia three days later and finish the group stage against Germany on Wednesday 18 June with all of the Young Lions' matches being broadcast on Channel 4.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Irish Examiner
35 minutes ago
- Irish Examiner
De Bruyne breaks Welsh hearts in seven-goal thriller
Wales suffered a dramatic 4-3 World Cup qualifying defeat to Belgium as their incredible comeback from three goals down eventually proved in vain. Kevin De Bruyne was the Belgium match-winner two minutes from time to deny Wales a precious point in Brussels. Belgium had seized complete control inside 27 minutes as Romelu Lukaku, with a controversial penalty, Youri Tielemans and Jeremy Doku silenced the loud 4,500-strong following from Wales. But Harry Wilson gave Wales hope from the spot on the stroke of half-time, and cool finishes from Sorba Thomas and Brennan Johnson turned the tie on its head. Almost every goal had a laborious VAR check and a late Lukaku effort was chalked off - resulting in both Wales manager Craig Bellamy and his Belgium counterpart Rudi Garcia being booked - but there was no saving the visitors as De Bruyne volleyed home at the far post. Wales had lost top spot in Group J before kick-off courtesy of North Macedonia's win in Kazakhstan. Bellamy's unbeaten record would also disappear - exactly a year to the day since Wales had lost for the last time - in his 10th game in charge. It was a duel between familiar foes with this being their 11th meeting in 13 years. Neco Williams was absent after being taken off on a stretcher in Friday's victory over Liechtenstein, and Bellamy made three changes with Chris Mepham, David Brooks and Jordan James recalled. Aston Villa midfielder Tielemans led a Belgian team who featured several faces well known to Premier League fans. Bellamy had promised a bold approach and Thomas was positive in the first minute to deliver a cross into the six-yard box that no-one in the middle could get on the end of. But Wales crumbled in the space of 12 minutes after Johnson was adjudged to have handled De Bruyne's powerful shot. It appeared a harsh decision as Johnson's arm was close to his body, but Lukaku rolled the penalty home with ease. Belgium worked an overload down the right four minutes later and Maxim De Cuyper found Tielemans, who stroked the ball high past Karl Darlow in the Wales goal. Matz Sels instantly denied David Brooks one-on-one at the other end, and the Nottingham Forest goalkeeper shovelled aside Ben Davies' follow-up effort. But Belgium menaced with every attack and Doku broke clear to set up De Bruyne, who was inches away from adding another. Doku's footwork had dazzled and Wales had no answer when the Manchester City winger cut inside Davies. Darlow got a hand to the low shot, but could not prevent it from crossing the line. De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard were booked for cynical fouls on Johnson as Wales revived, and the visitors were given hope in first-half stoppage time. Sels made contact with Mepham's head as he attempted to fist away a Thomas corner and Wilson claimed his 14th international goal from the penalty spot. Dodi Lukebakio missed a sitter within seconds of his half-time arrival and Belgium were punished when Wilson spotted Thomas unmarked on the left. The new Stoke signing kept his composure to fire under Sels for his first Wales goal. Wales wanted more and substitute Mark Harris sent a golden chance wide. Johnson nodded the leveller after Thomas had headed Wilson's cross back across goal, but De Bruyne had the final word to break Welsh hearts. Elsewhere, sacked Italy manager Luciano Spalletti bowed out with a victory after his side laboured to an uninspired 2-0 home win over Moldova thanks to goals from Giacomo Raspadori and Andrea Cambiaso. Spalletti announced his own dismissal on Sunday following Italy's 3-0 loss in Norway in their opening group game on Friday, but took charge for one final time at the Stadio Citta del Tricolore in Reggio Emilia. Italy struggled early on before Raspadori put the hosts ahead five minutes before the break and Cambiaso doubled the lead five minutes after the interval but they failed to build on their two-goal cushion. Norway, who won 1-0 in Estonia with Erling Haaland netting the winner, top Group I on 12 points from four games, with Israel on six points after three matches while Italy are third with three points from their two games. In Group L, Croatia hammered Czechia 5-1. Andrej Kramaric gave Croatia the lead just before half-time but Tomas Soucek got an equaliser 13 minutes after the break. A Luka Modric penalty gave Croatia back the advantage and they sealed the win with goals from Ivan Perisic, an Ante Budimir penalty, and a second from Kramaric.


Irish Independent
37 minutes ago
- Irish Independent
Luis Diaz's Liverpool future in doubt as Colombian winger reveals he's ‘talking to clubs'
The Colombia international has two years left on his current deal and this week the Reds rebuffed an approach from Barcelona, who are long-time admirers, insisting the player was not for sale. However, it is understood there are currently no plans to open negotiations about an extension for Diaz, who turned 28 in January. 'We are currently in contact with Liverpool, because we are talking to clubs, and that's normal given the transfer market that's opening. We're trying to arrange what's best for us,' he told a press conference before Colombia's World Cup qualifier at home to Peru. 'We're talking to clubs, it's normal in the market and we're looking at what's best for us. 'I'm waiting to see what happens. I'm very happy at Liverpool, I've always said so. They've welcomed me very well from day one. 'If they give us a good renewal or I stay there for two years, I'll be happy. Now it's up to them.'


The Irish Sun
43 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Bukayo Saka feared he wouldn't be the same player after Arsenal injury hell as kind gesture to hospital staff revealed
BUKAYO SAKA lay in his hospital bed on Christmas Eve, doubting whether he would be as good a player in the future as he had been in the past. But thanks to a self-help book and the mindful joy of a new puppy, the Advertisement 6 Buyako Saka was 'worried' about his future after having surgery just before Christmas 6 Saka tore his hamstring against Crystal Palace in December And it is that perspective that can help put a frustrating campaign — that began with a Euros final loss for Saka, 23, said: 'I was not happy with last season — how it went and how it ended. 'But the only thing I can do now is look forward and try to be the best version of myself and help my team-mates be the same.' The Londoner went Advertisement READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWS In typical, kind fashion, he opted to do the procedure 24 hours before Christmas so the surgeons could be with their nearest and dearest the following day. He made it home to spend Christmas with his loved ones but what followed was nearly four months out which he used for self-reflection. The Gunners talisman said: 'I had gone from five years straight playing football , either involved with the team every single day training or playing games. Everything stops. 'You are on crutches, in hospital and need help around the house for the first few weeks. Advertisement Most read in Football Join SUN CLUB for the Chelsea Files every Tuesday plus in-depth coverage and exclusives from Stamford Bridge 'I got to spend more time with my family and got to do little things around the house that I wouldn't have even paid attention to when I was playing. 'On that note it was nice and I've come back with a bit more of a balanced head about football and life, and I'm trying to balance them better. It definitely helped me mentally. Arsenal star Bukayo Saka's glam girlfriend Tolami Benson steals the show in daring outfit at The Fashion Awards 6 Saka returned in March and played a starring role in Arsenal's 3-0 win over Real Madrid Advertisement 'The first two days were the toughest, that realisation that I've got what I've got and I need an operation. 'You start to think, 'Am I going to be the same?' as players came back from this injury and weren't the same. 'After two days my surgery was done, and successful, and you just look forward. I was really positive and put in all the work I needed with my diet, in the gym, on the pitch and the physios would say the same. I feel I've come back in a good place.' Saka is a keen reader of non-fiction and was inspired by a recommendation from Advertisement It is called The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and its message struck a chord with the talented winger. He added: 'It's a really good book. It's about not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future , just being in the moment. You start to think, 'Am I going to be the same?' Saka 'Sometimes I can think, 'Oh, am I going to come back in the best shape?' Or, in the past, 'What could I have done to prevent injury?' 'But all that is not necessary. It's only going to bring bad energy , negativity to your body. Advertisement 'One of the best things I took from the book is always ask yourself, what's necessary in this moment right now and try to live that way.' Saka spent Christmas Day in a brace and on crutches at his cousin's, having had surgery at 5am the previous day. He claimed it took him 'ten minutes' to get to the dining room for dinner. So when his lively new Cockapoo called Tucker turned up soon after, it was not easy 'to get after him', as Saka put it, even if having the pooch has been a 'good and funny experience'. Advertisement On Tuesday against Former Chelsea and next year after a series of near-misses under predecessor Gareth Southgate. The German has won all three of his games, Barcelona . And Saka admits Advertisement 6 Saka is eyeing his first England game under Thomas Tuchel 6 Arsenal team-mate Myles Lewis-Skelly has been called up to England again But the bottom line — and Saka knows this best after a tough 12 months — is that winning is what matters most. He added: 'Every player is different and I can't answer for every player but naturally in the bigger games everyone is going to give a bit more. Advertisement 'In these other games we need to find a level where we can maintain that same quality and drive and hunger for the whole game. 'It's not easy at times but we need to find that and get these games over the line. 'The Andorra game, we still won, got another three points on the board and kept a clean sheet. It's job done. 'The expectation is to win, rather than entertain. If you can have both, then perfect. But we feel more the expectation is to win than to entertain.' Advertisement 6 Saka's Premier League stats this season