‘There's always someone watching' – Samuel Iling-Junior out to gatecrash England's World Cup squad by starring for U21s
His CV is already pretty impressive when it comes to silverware
SAM'S PLAN 'There's always someone watching' – Samuel Iling-Junior out to gatecrash England's World Cup squad by starring for U21s
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
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 Juventus last summer as part of the deal that took Douglas Luiz in the opposite direction.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
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 on loan at Bologna in Serie A and even scored for them in the Champions League.
Weeks later Iling-Junior, who originally departed Chelsea for Juve in 2020, was back in England and heading to Middlesbrough.
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 Tino Livramento to start there for England U21s in Thursday's Euros opening against Czech Republic, said: 'I definitely settled into the left-back role and going up and down the pitch [at Boro]. I enjoyed that, bringing my parts into the team with assists, tricks and being creative.
'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.
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
Daily Mirror
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Emi Martinez 'pushing for Man Utd move' after Andrea Onana update
Emiliano Martinez continues to be linked with a move to Manchester United whilst Marcus Rashford is ready to return to his boyhood club despite his issues with Ruben Amorim Manchester United's summer has made a lot of noise but so far the only major transfer to take place in the arrival of Matheus Cunha - who joined from Wolves for just over £60million. The Red Devils remain on the hunt for more firepower but look as if they could miss out on Viktor Gyokeres, who would prefer to head elsewhere. The club are keen on Bryan Mbeumo but have had offers rejected as Brentford hold out for their hefty asking price. A new goalkeeper could also be on Ruben Amorim 's radar after seeing Andre Onana make a number of notable errors. He has been linked with the exit door despite having a desire to prove he can cut in at Old Trafford. Replacements have been eyed though with World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez cited as a possible summer target. His future has been the subject of speculation, even if Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has dismissed any suggestion he could leave. Here's the latest transfer rumours from the red side of Manchester. Martinez holding out for move Martinez is already sold on the idea of joining United this summer and is said to have rebuffed offers from 'big-hitters' in the hope of pushing through a dream switch to Old Trafford. There has been speculation that Martinez could move on with Villa potentially needing to sell in order to meet Profit and Sustainability Rules. The Sun now claims that Martinez is 'desperate' to push through a move to United despite the fact that the Red Devils are coming off the back of their worst ever Premier League campaign. And it's even been suggested that the Villa star has ignored offers from other top clubs in order to remain available for United. A source told the publication: 'Emi is big pals with Argentina team-mate Lisandro Martinez and is keen to move. He has already knocked back a couple of big hitters in the hope of joining United. Rashford's return plan Marcus Rashford is planning to return to training with United next month if a deal for him to leave the club hasn't been agreed, according to ESPN. The forward spent the last six months out on loan at Aston Villa after being frozen out under Amorim. No bids have yet been received despite well documented interest in Rashford and, as things stand, the 27-year-old will report back to Carrington to begin his pre-season preparations. It is understood that Amorim is yet to make a decision about whether Rashford and a number of the other fringe players will join the team on their summer tour to the United States. Antony, Alejandro Garnacho or Jadon Sancho all face uncertain futures and may not been included. Monaco eye two Prem keepers - including Onana Monaco are torn between pursing two Premier League goalkeepers but could yet offer Andre Onana a route out of Manchester after two difficult years. French outlet L'Equipe have claimed that Monaco are looking to add a new shotstopper to their squad. They want to upgrade their current options with Radoslaw Madecki and Philipp Kohn currently on their books. Onana is one player who has been shortlisted along with Chelsea's Djordje Petrovic. Onana has remained the No 1 at Old Trafford, albeit he was dropped briefly last term, whilst Petrovic has slipped down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge as Robert Sanchez established himself as first choice. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool could use two players to produce amazing transfer swap deal
Liverpool have already made big moves in the transfer market this summer and confirmed Florian Wirtz's arrival at Anfield on Friday but more major deals could await Liverpool have dominated the summer transfer window thus far. They've completed the biggest deal so far in securing Florian Wirtz's signature and could pay up to £116million for the privilege. And the Reds have also completed one of the most notable deals too by bringing in £10m for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The full-back moved to Real Madrid just weeks before his contract at Anfield was set to expire. But, according to reports in Italy, Liverpool could yet be involved in another mega deal. Arne Slot's side are said to still be interested in a striker and that could provoke some big movement. The Reds have been linked to moves for Newcastle star Alexander Isak and Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike and neither player would come cheap. But some creativity could make a move for another striker possible. Italian outlet Tutto Mercato Web claim Liverpool have made a proposal to Napoli for Victor Osimhen. The Serie A champions are keen to offload the Nigeria international after failing to sell him last summer and the Merseyside club may have come up with a solution for everyone. The Reds are reported to have offered up Darwin Nunez and Federcio Chiesa in exchange for the 26-year-old who starred on loan at Galatasaray in 2024/25. Osimhen has also been linked with Manchester United in addition and is said to have snubbed a move to Al-Hilal. Darwin is expected to leave Anfield this summer as he goes in search of greater playing time, while Chiesa has been told by new Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso that he must play more frequently to be part of his plans. 'In these days, I called 35 players [who did not make the squad], I spoke to everyone,' Gattuso said earlier this week. 'Even Chiesa, whom I told to play consistently. "There are players who have been out but who can lend a hand. The pitch speaks: if you do things well, the doors of the national team are open." Swap deals rarely move as smoothly however with so many moving parts beyond simply agreeing a deal. And it has been suggested that Osimhen may in fact be waiting for United to make their own move. Rio Ferdinand told his Rio Presents YouTube channel: 'No.9? They already know who I want. The comments know, the people know who I want, who I would go and get: Osimhen! 'It looks like he's turned down Al-Hilal… he must be waiting for Manchester United. I don't know if Manchester United are going to come. That's the problem.' Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Lioness captain Leah Williamson warms up for the Euros by jetting off on sunshine break to Majorca with former Miss USA
She will be leading the Lionesses at the Euros in three weeks but Leah Williamson has made the most of her summer by jetting off to Majorca with close friend, and former Miss USA, Elle Smith. The two women beamed as they soaked up the sun, went paddle boarding and dined out at high-end restaurants after growing close in recent months. Ms Williamson and Ms Smith have been sharing photographs of one another – including one where they celebrated the England star's Champions League win with Arsenal three weeks ago. Since then, Ms Smith, 26, has also posted on her TikTok, showing them doing various challenges and showing off their holiday outfits. Ms Williamson also posted snaps from their trip in which her pal commented: 'Same time next year?' to which Ms Williamson replied: 'Yes.' Although it's unclear how they were introduced, they seem to have known each other for some months as Ms Smith posted a video of Ms Williamson's 28th birthday on March 29 saying 'Happy Birthday my love x'. It showed them floating on a platform in the sea on another holiday. Ms Smith is based in New York City and London and is signed to the Wilhelmina Models agency. With over seven million views on TikTok and 122,000 followers on Instagram, she has worked with brands including Kim Kardashian's Skims, Adidas and Sol De Janeiro. Elle Smith struts down the catwalk during the Adore Me fashion show at New York Fashion Week last year Williamson. pictured in action here for England against Portugal in May 2025, played a major part in England's Euro 2022 success but was devastated when she ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament during a match in April 2023 She studied journalism at the University of Kentucky College and in 2021 was crowned Miss USA, going on to represent the US at Miss Universe 2021, where she was placed in the top ten. Ms Williamson played a major part in England's Euro 2022 success but was devastated when she ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament during a match in April 2023. It ruled her out of the World Cup that summer where the Lionesses reached the final, only to lose to Spain. But she is back to lead the team when it plays its first game in the tournament against France in Switzerland on July 5.
