Joe Willock is targeting a "dream" double this summer by combining Champions League qualification with an England call-up.
The Newcastle midfielder is at the top of his game, driving Eddie Howe’s side to third place, including a breakthrough goal against Manchester United on Sunday. Willock and his team-mates set a private goal of challenging the top four this season - despite being relegation battlers last term - and are on track to qualify for Europe.
Newcastle now face three away games in 10 days with trips to West Ham, Brentford and Aston Villa, ahead of a showdown with top five rival Tottenham. Willock’s energy and relentless running power has been key to United’s season, which has seen a bounce back from three defeats to three wins in a row.
The former Arsenal man said: “Champions League? 100% that’s our goal, I’m not going to sit here and lie to you. I feel like we’ve got the group to do that. We have a manager that believes in us. Hopefully we can achieve our goals. I feel like it is in our hands. We have 11 cup finals left.
“We want to channel the disappointment we had in the Carabao Cup final. I feel like losing the final is one of the worst defeats you can have in football. We were very upset but we tried to use that in a good way. We were electric against Man U and we fed off the fans.
Fans say the same thing as Scott Parker earns shock move to Champions League
“That’s the game we want to play. We have the players to do that so I was really happy we executed that. I can’t even fathom what it will be like. It will be incredible so hopefully I can play at the highest level with this team.”
Howe greeted a question about the Champions League with a cheeky: “The what?” trying to keep the hype away from his team. But Willock is embracing ambition, and has been talked up by Howe as a potential England contender along with team-mate Sean Longstaff.
Joe Willock opened the scoring in Newcastle's 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday (Stu Forster/Getty Images)Asked about the June internationals, Willock said: “Of course, that’s my dream. I want to add more goals and assists to my game, and I feel like it will definitely come.
“If I keep chipping away and working hard it will definitely come. I’m a unique midfielder and I’ve got all the attributes to play at the highest level. I feel like I can add a lot. I believe in my abilities.”
Willock quit champions elect Arsenal for first team football after a prolific goal scoring loan spell under Steve Bruce. But he’s a more accomplished player now.
He reflected: “The fans made that decision easy for me. They’re the best fans in the world and I’m so happy to be at this club. Hopefully we can achieve our goals.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
