England and Everton defender Callum Connolly believes the future is bright as he concentrates on breaking through the ranks - both at club level and nationally - during the coming season.
"I just love playing football"
- Callum Connolly
Connolly, just 17-years-old, has been pushing himself hard in order to make that step up to the next level, first appearing with the England U18s side in Russia last month, before travelling to Austria with the Toffees' development squad for pre-season action. The youngster has said that he wouldn't have it any other way, stating with youthful passion that he "just love[s] playing football."
Bursting on to the scene
The Liverpool-born teen was called up to the international side 18 months ago, as he helped guide the England U17s to the European Championship in Malta in the summer of 2014.
Sadly, Connolly was not given a chance to prove his worth, as due to school exams he had to watch the tournament from home. It must have been painful for the full-back as fellow Blues' teammates Jonjoe Kenny and Ryan Ledson helped the Young Lions to lift the trophy.
However, showing the grit and determination that marks his game, Connolly bounced back, eager to secure his place in the squad. Ultimately, the youngster was rewarded for his persistence, as he was selected in every single U18s squad this season, and notched two goals against Holland in a 3-1 win back in September.
Learning the trade
Connolly, talking to TheFA.com has said that last season was a great experience for him, and that he learned a lot as he looks to develop his career. The defender described last season as "massive", pointing to games against "some of the best players in Europe" as vital to gaining "a lot of experience".
For Connolly, one of the biggest factors in last season's success was the tutelage of Young Lions head coach Neil Dewsnip, his former mentor at Everton. Describing him as a "great manager", Connolly pointed to the length of their relationship - nine years - as a key part of his development, suggesting that Dewsnip's "great understanding of what a player needs" has made things easier for him.
Moving forward
As the new season approaches and Connolly continues to work hard in pursuit of future success, it is clear that this young man believes in his abilities. Again, the full-back credits Dewsnip with this new-found confidence, suggesting that the Young Lions boss "instilled a winning mentality" in Connolly, giving him the belief to push forward this season.
With another European Championship on the cards for the U19s, Connolly is eager to make up for lost time, dreaming of a future World Cup on the horizon. Not content with pushing for international stardom, Connolly will also be looking to "edge closer to the first team squad" when it comes to Everton too.
The future does indeed look bright for this young defender. Keep your eyes peeled in the next few years as he looks to burst into the England squad and grace our screens in the Premier League.