JAMAAL Lascelles admits he is flattered at being touted as a future England star and insisted it has fuelled his desire to realise his international ambitions.
The Nottingham Forest defender is set to make his debut for the Under-21s tomorrow as they look to secure a European Championship qualifying win over Wales at Derby's iPro stadium.
Lascelles goes into the game having received a glowing endorsement of his quality by Harry Redknapp, who believes the centre-back is the future of England's defence.
The QPR boss identified him as one of several players crucial to the Three Lions' progress along with the likes of Everton star Ross Barkley and Arsenal's Alex Oxlade-Chamberlin.
"I read Harry's comments and it was nice to see from someone with such stature," he said.
"It was very pleasing but also very flattering given some of the players he mentioned.
"Compliments like that just make me want to work even harder to make the step-up to the seniors.
"The Under-21s is just another part of that and it's very exciting.
"Naturally, I would love to make the full England squad, but I just have to take it step by step.
"There's no rush for me to do it. I'm still very young. There's a lot of competition here and above me – I just have to keep working hard."
Lascelles is relishing being part of the Under-21s' set-up, after being handed his first call-up by boss Gareth Southgate.
But the imposing defender, who has represented England at under-18s, 19s and 20s level, said he had never dreamed of playing for his country when growing up.
And now the chance has arisen, he vowed not to let the opportunity pass him by.
"Believe it or not when I was a kid I never really had the ambition of playing for England," he said.
"It's such a major recognition that you don't really think you will ever do it.
"But then when you get called-up, you think to yourself 'if I keep working hard I can do this'.
"Just to be called up to the Under-21s makes me feel very proud, even more so if I actually play.
"It's not every day it happens and I am now just looking forward to the game because the training has gone really well."
Southgate yesterday praised Lascelles for his performances for Forest this season which resulted in him giving the 20-year-old his first call-up.
He said his ability on the ball has been particularly impressive and conceded he has made huge progress.
Lascelles revealed how he stays behind in training to work on being a footballing centre-back and says the likes of Barcelona's Gerard Pique are an inspiration.
"I always stay behind to do extra work and concentrate on every aspect of my game," he said.
"Working with players like Kelvin Wilson who is good on the ball helps massively as well as being around players in the Under-21s.
"I watch a lot of football and especially the likes of Gerard Pique. I watch them so carefully and how they handle themselves on the ball. You learn so much from them."
What a grounded, quality player. Good luck tonight!!!
Top lad :)
posted on 5/3/14
It's remarkable how many decent centrehalf prospects there are around at the moment in the young England set-up, particluarly when you look at the full senior squad and see that we really only have Jags and as credible players in the role.
This year should see the publication od Greg Dyke's FA Panel relating to improving the game and part of that focus will be on that transition, and the very limited opportunities young players get to become game hardened. The likelihood is that Lascelles will get bought by a Premier League team if Forest don't make it up this season, and then farmed out on loans or left in reserve sides; is that any way to assure the progress of our future internationals? He'd be far better staying where he is and playing week-in, week-out, but that's a difficult concept for a kid who's being offered a double-your-money move to an established PL club to grasp.
Let's hope his advisors have his interests at heart and not just immediate gratification expressed in pound signs.
posted on 5/3/14
* Jags and Cahill
posted on 5/3/14
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posted on 5/3/14
I concur 100% unfortunately, GMan
It's the major reason why I object to the use of loans so much by Championship and other clubs outside of the Big Six. Whilst we're doing well with Wisdom and Bamford in the side, we are just training them up for someone else. Will Bamford get ahead of Lukaku in the Chelsea pecking order after his performances for us and MK Dons? No chance. Lukaku has consistently performed at PL level on year long loans and the improvement in his worth will probably pay for the next raft of prospects for Roman's outfit to throw a few quid at.
Forest got what, £1.5m for Bamford? What might he be worth without ever kicking a ball for Chelsea if he continues to score goals on loan next season at this level or higher?
It's utterly corrupt, weighted in favour of the big clubs and if ruining our youngsters' game.
posted on 5/3/14
But sadly Bamford is one of the lucky ones, if he carries on scoring for you he'll get another Championship loan next season & if he's really really lucky he's get a Premiership loan before moving on a permanent transfer. He'll have a decent career.
For every Bamford there are dozens more who go on loan to League 1/2 clubs & being so young can't compete physically & just drift out of the game long before having any chance to realise their potential.
There are lots of cases of big clubs vacuuming up the top talent but very few case of those players hitting the heights, there's Joe Hart who City bought from Shrewsbury (I think?) but those cases are getting rarer & rarer as clubs cast the net globally as well.
The fact a 19 year old Brazilian counts as a home grown player shows how badly the future of English football has been thought out.
Make ever English club choose a minimum of 3 English players under the age of 23 in every match day squad & have a minimum of 1 of those on the pitch at all times (in game injuries permitting)
posted on 6/3/14
It does seem inevitable that Lascelles will be off in the summer regardless of where Forest finish. He was severely reprimanded by the FA over the Everton tapping up saga, so it would appear on that basis he was knowingly involved himself. We can only hope that any deal was favourable to Forest either with a whacking great transfer fee and/or season long loan back. Having said that, though, he would then be holding back the next prospect from the Academy, maybe?
Think you are correct in saying the horse has bolted. Money has spoke and we just have to like it or lump it. The only silver lining I can see is if the "big six" up and join some kind of European super league. It would maybe help level the playing field once more. They wouldn't be missed and we could again dream of Forest or Derby winning the league.
posted on 6/3/14
Having said all that, having met Lascelles, he is a top lad and deserves all the recognition he gets. He doesn't go out and flaunt to all like others have done in the past.