Dominic Calvert-Lewin has challenged his England team-mates to lay down a marker for the FIFA U20 World Cup in Saturday’s opening Group A match against familiar foes Argentina.
Paul Simpson’s squad kick-off their campaign in the 42,500-capacity Jeonju World Cup Stadium, situated in the south-west of Korea Republic, and will also meet the host nation and minnows Guinea.
The Young Lions will be hopeful of advancing from the group stage and beyond the last-16 in this competition for the first time in 24 years after failing to win a game in the U20 World Cups of 2009, 2011 and 2013.
And Everton striker Calvert-Lewin believes it is important to set out their intentions from the first whistle.
“Argentina will be a very tough first game, but I think it’s a good match to start off with,” said the 20-year-old, who made 11 Premier League appearances for the Toffees this term.
“It was an unbelievable experience to play at places like Goodison Park, Anfield and Old Trafford, you dream of playing in the Premier League as a kid.
“I will probably reflect on it when I get chance, maybe after the season has finished and during the summer break, I can take in what I’ve achieved this season but my main focus is to do well for my country at a World Cup.
“It’s a real test for the boys, but hopefully we can make a mark in the tournament straight away and set the tone by getting off to a good start by beating Argentina.”
Since making his debut two years ago for hometown club Sheffield United, Calvert-Lewin enjoyed a relatively fruitful loan spell in League Two with Northampton Town.
But it was only once he completed a £1.5m move to Goodison Park last August that international recognition followed, with a call to the U20s squad that played back-to-back friendlies against Brazil in September.
By contrast, he is joined in Korea with a host of faces that triumphed with Three Lions on their chest at the 2014 European U17 Championship, including the likes of Freddie Woodman, Jonjoe Kenny and Dominic Solanke.
And Calvert-Lewin buys into the adage that ‘success breeds success’.
“A lot of the boys have been playing together for many years at international level and have tasted success already which is important,” he added.
“I’m relatively new to international football this season, so it’s good to come into a team environment with a winning mentality.
“A lot of the boys have won the European Championships a few years ago at U17 level, so bringing that type of experience into a World Cup is fantastic.
“This is my first tournament experience and I think their experience will help me get through it as well.”
