Arsenal forward glad Tottenham icon left as he now plans to ‘be in his ear all week’ to learn
Eddie Nketiah has revealed his plan to learn from Harry Kane and “be in his ear all week” on England duty, as he joked the conversation with him is “a little bit easier” after the star left Tottenham.
Nketiah received his first England call-up to be in the squad for games against Ukraine and Scotland. The Arsenal forward had a great time of it with England Under-21s, ending his eligibility for the side as their top goalscorer ever, with 16 goals in 17 games.
That, along with good performances for Arsenal – where he has scored two league goals this season – likely helped him to receive his maiden call-up.
The forward detailed the great feeling of receiving the news that he’d been picked for the Three Lions in a press conference.
“I am usually a calm guy but I did lose a little bit of composure for 10 seconds or so, it was amazing. My family were really emotional as well,” he said, quoted by the Evening Standard.
“It has been a long journey and I have worked really hard to get up to this point so it was really nice to have that step. This is the pinnacle for an England player to get called up by the senior team. Once you are here the aim is to stay here.”
He’s one of four central strikers in the squad, along with Callum Wilson, Marcus Rashford and Kane. Nketiah has revealed he’ll be clinging to the latter in order to learn from him, as he joked the pair will get on better after Kane left rival side Tottenham.
“I think it makes the conversation a little bit easier [now that he has left Tottenham],” Nketiah said.
“I might have a few notes in my phone [to ask him]. He is a world class striker.
“Today was my first session so I’m sure I’ll be in his ear all week – getting tips and learning, I think that’s another great opportunity to come away learn and and improve yourself and see what other top strikers do, how they prepare for games.”
Whether or not the 24-year-old gets onto the pitch, the chance to learn from one of England’s best ever forwards, along with the other star names in the squad, will be an invaluable experience for him.
