The Everton youngster has just returned from the European Championships in Bulgaria, where the Young Lions got over their quarter-final exit by finishing on a high by qualifying for the showpiece tournament in Chile by defeating Spain on penalties on Tuesday.
With the possibility of appearing on the world stage, Holland is relishing the challenge of winning a spot in John Peacock’s squad for the trip and says he wants other nations to fear England in South America.
FIFA U17s World Cup
Host nation: Chile
Host cities: Santiago, La Serena, Coquimbo, Vina del Mar, Talca, Chillan, Concepcion, Puerto Montt
Dates: 17 Oct-8 Nov 2015
Holders: Mexico (2011)
“I definitely think we should have gone further in the Euros. We were the better side against Russia in the quarters and we were so unlucky to go through but sometimes football just doesn’t go your way.
“But in the World Cup we’ll be testing ourselves against the best, and I believe we have some good ability within this group and we can go far.
“We had some mixed experiences in Bulgaria but finished on a real high. We want people to be scared of playing England when we get there. I think we’ll be going into it with a sense of no fear and full of confidence,” Holland told TheFA.com.
The agony of the 1-0 defeat to Russia in the last eight was felt more than most by Holland. Three minutes before they fell behind the 16-year-old was handed a perfect opportunity to give England the lead from the penalty spot, but his spot-kick was saved.
The pain from that memory will only serve to help him in the future according to the winger from Manchester.
Russia keeper Aleksandr Maksimenko saved Holland's penalty
“I got a lot of support from my family, especially my mum, after the Russia game. She is my No1 fan and everything I try to achieve is for her,” he said.
“The lads were brilliant with me too, and I’ve learnt so much from that and I don’t ever want that experience again. I’ll definitely come back stronger from that.
“But hopefully I’ll have another chance in the World Cup if I keep working hard. I’ll be trying that little bit harder in pre-season and be raring to go to try and impress John.”
The mental toughness of Holland and the group is something that was proved by defeating Spain.
With only two days to get over the disappointment of their Euro exit, the whole squad came together to ensure that they did not waste such a unique opportunity of playing in a World Cup.
And after an impressive performance against the Spanish, they held their nerve to convert all five of their penalties in the shoot-out to triumph, with sub keeper Will Huffer making himself a hero by saving one.
“Even on the sidelines it was nervous watching the shoot-out – we wanted to get there so much.
“Obviously with me missing a penalty in the quarter-final, I know how hard it is to take one in a pressure situation, but the lads did great.
Holland says England showed their 'mental strength' against Spain
“There’s such togetherness within this group, and for them all to score and for Will to come on and save one, I think it showed the squads mental character.”
Although Holland says he would gladly take another penalty for the Young Lions, he did admit to having one fear – cheese.
“It’s always been the case. The lads always wind me up about it, even at Everton. When we are having dinner together they are waving cheese at me – it’s just a phobia I have.
“There was a time when someone put cheese inside my boot before I played a game, it was when we beat France in the qualifiers.
"I had no idea until afterwards back in the dressing-room and someone had to take it out for me. Maybe it was lucky though as we won,” he added.
“I know it’s just a laugh when they tease and hopefully one day I’ll get over it, although I can’t see it happening anytime soon.”
Holland and his England team-mates will discover their World Cup opponents when the draw is made in August.
