England new-boy Kalvin Phillips has described St. George’s Park as an ‘eye opener’ to his international potential.
The Leeds United midfielder was included in his first national team squad last week having never previously represented his country at any level.
So while all of his Three Lions colleagues are used to the world-class facilities of England’s Staffordshire home, rolling down Sir Alf Ramsey Way was a whole new experience for the 24-year-old.
“The facilities are amazing,” said Phillips, while speaking as part of a ‘First Impressions’ feature on England’s YouTube channel.
“I’ve never been to a place like this before and coming here for the first time is a real eye-opener to what I can do and see in the future. Hopefully I can come here more often.
“I didn’t have a clue what it would be like. I know Eddie (Nketiah, Arsenal’s MU21s forward) as he was on loan at Leeds and we get on quite well but it never once crossed my mind to ask him how it was here.”
The training pitches of St. George’s Park welcomed the boots of England international sides for the first time since the nation went into lockdown following the outbreak of COVID-19.
Both Gareth Southgate’s seniors and Aidy Boothroyd’s MU21s have been in camp at the National Football Centre over this past week preparing for respective away double-headers.
The Three Lions’ 24-man squad are ready for UEFA Nations League Group A2 fixtures in Iceland and Denmark. Meanwhile, the Young Lions will continue their 2021 UEFA U21 EURO qualifying campaign with trips to Kosovo and Austria.
