“I’m five years older, five years wiser and I’ve learnt a lot football-wise and life-wise in that time, as you do. Not surprisingly, after such a long gap since his first cap, Dunk says he is a completely different person on and off the pitch. So, you look at yourself, try to improve and keep working hard and now I’ve earned a way back in.” At the time there must have been people performing better than me. “Once you make your debut you think I could stick around, but it is not always the case – there are many players who played games and are not in the next squad. “It was a long wait and after five years of not being in the squad you start thinking ‘is it time that I won’t get back in again?’ All I did was focus on my playing for Brighton and trying to be the best I can and I’m here now. “Getting called up after a long time and then injury ruling me out was obviously frustrating, but I had a good conversation with Gareth at the time and he said he would be watching at the start of the season. I feel good in myself and want to keep pushing myself at the highest level by playing in Europe and being in the England setup.”Įngland captain Harry Kane looks to challenge Dunky for the ball.ĭunk won his only England cap in 2018 before his club form last season earned him a recall from Gareth Southgate in June, only for injury to rule him out. “I’m 31 but still learning every day, especially from this manager (Roberto De Zerbi). “When I sit down and think it’s been a great journey so far and an enjoyable one – and it’s not ending anytime soon,” said Dunk. Four days later they head to Hampden to face Scotland in a match to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first international between the teams.ĭunk then returns to Albion to prepare for two standout fixtures – a trip to Old Trafford in the Premier League next Saturday and our Europa League opener on 21 September against AEK Athens. In the space of a few days this month Lewis Dunk could play for his country and lead his home town club in their first match in Europe.īut Albion’s captain insists his football journey still has a long way to run.ĭunk is with the England squad preparing for Saturday’s EURO 2024 qualifier against Ukraine in Wroclaw, Poland. American Express Elite Football Performance Centre
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