West Ham midfielder Downes admits he needs to ‘get a lot better’ if his dream of playing for England is to come true

WEST HAM midfielder Flynn Downes has admitted he needs to “get a lot better” if his dream of playing for England is to come true.

The 23-year-old joined the Hammers from Swansea for £12million in the summer.

He came with an impressive stat of being the most accurate passer of the ball across all of England’s top-five divisions.

But he was made to wait for his chance in Europe and the Premier League.

Impressive games in the Europa Conference League forced boss Moyes’ hand and Downes was handed his first Prem start in the 1-0 loss to Liverpool.

Downes was played in an unfamiliar position, but he impressed nonetheless, with the Hammers unlucky not to leave Anfield with at least a point or three.

But Downes is keen to not take his position for granted and insists he has to “get a lot better” if he’s to stay in Moyes’ team.

He is hoping to make a third consecutive league start when the Hammers travel to Old Trafford to play Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United on Sunday.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Downes said: “I just enjoy it.

“Wherever he wants me to play, I play. There really is nothing better.

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“I’m not in my prime, I have so much to give. I’ve got to get a lot better.”

Downes has been likened to captain Declan Rice, with both possessing outstanding passing and defensive capabilities.

He is hoping to prove he can be the long-term successor to Rice’s throne should the England mainstay move on for big bucks in the next summer or two.

Downes is also hoping to follow in Rice’s footsteps and play for his country.

The midfielder continued: “I want to play for England.

“That’s my dream. Dec is doing that now – I am learning a lot from him.”

Downes’ move to West Ham moved family members to tears.

His mum was “crying her eyes out”, which meant “everything” to Downes.

He said on the move: “I couldn’t believe it.

“My mum on my first day was crying her eyes out.

“This is more than football – when you see your mum, to me it’s everything.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk