After following his path across the channel from London to France, England under-17s midfielder Taylor Moore now reveals the second part of his rise to the international scene.
The 16-year-old exclusively told TheFA.com of his journey to RC Lens on Tuesday, and now he is firmly in the midst of progressing through the French system, Moore reveals that he has his sights set on following in some famous footsteps.
He said: “In France they have a different system at youth level, they play under-17, under-19 then reserve, and I’ve been with the youngest group. Everything has been going well, and we play some really good teams such as Lille, where Eden Hazard and Yohann Cabeye are from, PSG and Le Havre, where Pogba is from.
Players who have represented England whilst playing abroad
David Beckham (Real Madrid, LA Galaxy), Gordon Cowans (Bari), Laurie Cunningham (Real Madrid), Trevor Francis (Sampdoria), Paul Gascoigne (Lazio), Owen Hargreaves (Bayern Munich), Mark Hateley (AC Milan, Monaco), Gerry Hitchens (Inter Milan), Glenn Hoddle (Monaco), Paul Ince (Inter), Kevin Keegan (Hamburg), Steve McManaman (Real Madrid), Michael Owen (Real Madrid), David Platt (Bari, Juventus, Sampdoria), Trevor Steven (Marseille) Chris Waddle (Marseille), Des Walker (Sampdoria), Dave Watson (Werder Bremen), Ray Wilkins (AC Milan), Tony Woodcock (Cologne), Jonathan Woodgate (Real Madrid)
“I like to think that I have a bit of a mix between the English drive and the French technique, but I still have a lot to learn, especially technically. The French academy system is one of the best in Europe, and they are producing players and I hope to follow them.”
After spending his teenage years so far in Lens, Moore says that the city now feels like home – although he is quick to point out that he tries to get back to England whenever possible.
“Lens does feel like my home now and if you were to ever come, the first thing on your to do list should be to come and watch the team and experience the atmosphere.
“It is a great place to live, and the Louvre Museum has also just opened there. It is a very big thing for the city, as the only other one is in Paris, so it really is a nice town – and it is also home to a lovely little café that I like and spend time in.
“I still love England and try to get back as often as I can though. I come back every two months or so, obviously I want to see my family and friends and I sometimes get to see Tottenham Hotspur too, the team I support, so I always enjoy coming back.”
Having fully settled in to the England U17 camp, Moore says there are noticeable differences between the English and French youngsters.
He said: “I didn’t know any of the lads here, so it was just a case of walking in and meeting a host of new faces, but everything has gone well so far.
“I like to think that I have a bit of a mix between the English drive and the French technique, but I still have a lot to learn.”
Taylor Moore England U17s
“It’s a massive honour to represent your country and the lads have been brilliant ever since we met up on Saturday. They’ve helped me settle in all the way through and I’ve been enjoying every second of it.
“The training has been great. The intensity is a lot different. In France it is a lot calmer, a lot of technique work, but this has shown me how the speed of the game in England is a lot faster.”
Moore added: “It’s an honour to come play for England, and it’s even bigger for me personally with playing abroad. I’ve been playing a different sort of football here to what the lads are used to, and I’m just really excited about the whole thing.”
“I had heard that an England scout was coming over to watch me at the beginning of January, but we lost 3-0, and I was a bit disappointed afterwards, but I tried my best and thankfully it was enough to receive my call-up.
“With me being abroad, the communications were harder to reach me, so it was my father who told me about it first.
“The club and him were both informed, but the news came from him first, and when he phoned me to let me know, it was a special moment.”
Moore will be looking to create another special moment on Wednesday by making his international debut as the Young Lions kick-off their tournament when they face Holland at 4pm.
