ALEX OXLADE-CHAMBERLAIN is relishing the prospect of another summer of love with the England football team.
Only this time, the Liverpool midfielder hopes to actually be involved after injury wrecked his hopes of appearing at the previous three major tournaments.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain hopes to finally be a part of an England squad at a major tournament after injuries forced him to miss the last threeCredit: Reuters
Oxlade-Chamberlain scored England’s opener against MontenegroCredit: Alamy Live News
The Ox, 26, watched the 2018 World Cup at home in London as he was recovering from the career-threatening knee problem sustained in the Champions League semi-final against Roma.
He witnessed the country’s fans getting behind the team as they reached the semi-finals in Russia.
The former Arsenal star made his first England start for 20 months in the 7-0 drubbing of Montenegro on Thursday.
Even though England play their final qualifier against Kosovo tomorrow, they have won the group and are guaranteed to play all three Euro 2020 group games at Wembley.
Both the semi-finals and final will also be staged at the national stadium.
SPECIAL SUMMER
Oxlade-Chamberlain, who also scored his first international goal since striking against Scotland in a 2-2 draw in June 2017, said: “Of course, next summer will be something special for us.
“The manager said we have at least three games at Wembley and hopefully we will have more here.
“It is a special occasion for any team to have home games in a big tournament. It is something we’ll look forward.
“Judging from the summer of the World Cup, when I could see what it meant to everyone — how fanatical everyone was — I am sure they will play their part and make it special.
“I have had a lot of injuries that have kept me out of big games and tournaments.
“I was coming into form when we played Holland and Italy in March 2018 just before I got injured.
“Since the injury I guess I have been trying to pick up where I left off with both Liverpool and with England.
“In that time there have been other boys who have come through — James Maddison is doing well, Ross Barkley, and you have the likes of Hendo who still keeps playing well and Mason Mount has come into the fold.
“There are different players and new dynamics so it is nice to slot back in and keep pushing myself to keep improving.”
Despite England qualifying for Euro 2020 with one game still to play, Southgate knows this team are massively inexperienced.
Ahead of Thursday’s battering of Montenegro, the manager highlighted the experience of France’s midfield, which includes N’Golo Kante, Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba in contrast to England’s.
But Oxlade-Chamberlain added: “Every player in this team plays in the Premier League, except Jadon Sancho.
Oxlade-Chamberlain rifled home England’s first on Thursday nightCredit: Alamy Live News
“We play in the hardest league in the world and everyone is used to playing against the likes of Pogba or Kante, or playing with them.
“We have got the ability to beat anyone. I’m not too worried about anyone we will come up against.
“We need to keep improving ourselves and keep confidence in this team. I have an abundance of that in this group of players.”
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on mission to bring football home after watch England’s World Cup campaign in pub with fans
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
