Dominic Solanke was in a reflective mood at the press conference ahead of England’s Nations League match against Greece on Thursday. (More Football News)
The 27-year-o☂ld picked up his only England cap seven years ago, coming off the bench as a 75th-minute substitute in a goalless draw with Brazil in a friendly at Wembley.
But, with captain Harry Kane an injury doubt for the Greece fixture, Solanke could be about to double his tally of England appearances after 🧸his international recall by interim manager Lee Carsley.
The significance of returning to the national team was 🐷not lost on the Tottenham striker, who even spent two years i𝓡n the Championship with Bournemouth during his international exile.
“It means so much, I’ve worked very hard to get back to this mome💖nt,🤡” he said.
“Obviously, I ma🎐de my debut a long time ago now. It’s been quite a journey, but to get back here is a great feeling for me and the family.
“It’s just part of football. Everything happens at the right time f🗹or you. Everyone’s journey is 💛different.
“I wouldn’t have it any 𒀰other way. I feel 🤪like this is the way it had to be for me and I feel like my game is clicking now and I feel good in myself.”
Having had to wait so long to be back in England contention, it would have been understandable to lose hope, but Solanke explained that he always kept 🅺faith in his ability🎃.
“[I📖 had to] just keep playing well and scoring goals and I always believed that I wouꦏld get back here,” he added.
“That was my mindset. I'm tha💜nkful to be back here now, and hopefully I can stay here.
“It was definitely something I was pushing for, but there's so many😼 good players that could reprಌesent England
“It's a dream to play for your country, so when you don't get select🔜ed, it definitely motivates you to work even harder to make the nex🍃t one.”
While talking about his drive to earn a Three Lions recall, Solanke also ♔🦂revealed that he has kept hold of the shirt he made his England debut in.
He said: “I think over the years, when I do see it, I've always thought 'When I get back there and win mor🐈e caps ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚfor my country.’
“Having something like that on the wa🦩ll is definitely extra motivation.”
💦Solanke is in f⛄orm, with two goals in his last three Premier League appearances.
But he acknowledg💦ed that the journey to get to where he is now was one that required mental fortitude.
“The mental side of football is just as big these days, because there'sꩲ so many ups and downs, a lot going on, on and off the pitch,” he꧒ said.
“So it's important to stay focused and believe in yourself and keep wor🗹king hard.
“Everyone's journey is different. Some people have🏅 a smooth-sailing career and some not as smooth. It's just about sticking with it.”
