Sheffield Wednesday loan star Josh Onomah reveals his childhood dream

England Under-21 international Josh OnomahEngland Under-21 international Josh Onomah
England Under-21 international Josh Onomah
Off the pitch Josh Onomah comes across as a polite, softly-spoken, grounded individual.

But the Tottenham Hotspur's midfielder knows exactly what he wants and won't stop until he achieves his career objectives.

"It has always been my childhood dream to play for England," Onomah told The Star.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"When I see players my age doing it, it just makes me want to work harder and get there even quicker.

"It is something I hope to do in the future."

Promoting youth is a big part of England manager Gareth Southgate's philosophy. Leicester City full-back Ben Chilwell and Borussia Dortmund forward Jadon Sancho made their Three Lions debuts in the goalless draw with Croatia last Friday.

Onomah, on loan at Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the campaign, said: "We had a chat with the gaffer Gareth [Southgate] recently and he was just like 'the path is open'. When the England manager says that to you, it gives you great belief and trust in the system. It makes you want to get there ever so badly.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"As for my personal targets, I just want to play as much as I can. I'm going to keep working hard and try to do as well as I can and I will see where that takes me."

Onomah was an unused substitute in the England Under-21's resounding 7-0 trouncing of Andorra. Dominic Calvert-Lewin bagged a double, while Ademola Lookman, Ezri Konsa, Dominic Solanke, Reiss Nelson and Christian Garcia's own goal wrapped up a dominant win at Chesterfield's Proact Stadium as Aidy Boothroyd's side booked their spot in next summer's Euro 2019 finals in Italy and San Marino.

The Under-21s, beaten on penalties in the semi-final by Germany at Euro 2017, have now qualified for seven straight tournaments and are 34 matches unbeaten in the qualifiers.

"It is a big achievement to qualify," said Onomah. "We have got a big squad and some good young players coming through in Phil [Foden], Reiss [Nelson] Jay Dasilva.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"It is good for us all that we have good competition. It brings the best out of us and things are going well."

Onomah is targeting success next year.

He said: "As a team, we are a confident bunch. We have won trophies in the past so we know what it feels like to win trophies.

"We hope to add the U21s Euros trophy to the collection. We know it will be a tough challenge but we believe in ourselves and hopefully we can do it."

Group Four winners England round off their qualification campaign on Tuesday evening (5.30pm) when they travel north of the border to face Scotland at Tynecastle. Boothrooyd is expected to make several changes, with Onomah in the frame to start.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Even when I was young, the England-Scotland games were always good matches to watch," said Onomah. "There was a lot rivalry there and I'm looking forward to the game."

 

News you can trust since 1887
Follow us
©National World Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice