BY SAM SMITH AND ANDREW McSTEEN
Eddie Nketiah is hoping to inspire the next generation of South London-raised footballers after being confirmed as England captain for the U21 European Championships.
The Lewisham-born Arsenal striker is one of seven gamers included within the squad both born or raised in south London boroughs.
Others embrace Crystal Palace midfielder Ebere Eze, Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi, Fulham twins Steven and Ryan Sessegnon, former AFC Wimbledon goalkeeper Joe Bursik and Nketiah’s Arsenal teammate Emile Smith Rowe.
Nketiah performed for grassroots facet Hillyfielders FC earlier than being picked up by Chelsea’s academy. He then moved to Arsenal, for whom he has made 60 appearances and scored 12 instances.
His 16 targets in 14 caps make him England’s highest-ever goalscorer at U21 degree. He will lead out Aidy Boothroyd’s facet in Group D video games towards Switzerland, Portugal and Croatia this week.
“It’s good to see one other South Londoner [in the squad], particularly Lewisham firstly,” Nketiah instructed the South London Press. “I nonetheless keep in mind these days, going to the park with Hillyfielders with my Dad. I simply keep in mind going there, having fun with it and doing nicely. So, it’s nice to see the development by means of whenever you look again at it.
“It makes me and my household very proud and hopefully there are children in South London going to coaching that also can consider in seeing me, a boy from Deptford, Lewisham can go on and do nicely. That’s an enormous achievement for me, I all the time strive to inspire rather a lot of individuals who can [make it] by means of exhausting work.
“It’s nice to see the pathway from the grassroots all through to the place we’re at present and we’ve clearly nonetheless obtained extra work to go.”
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