1:40pm Thursday 18th March 2010
YOU can’t accuse Fabrice Muamba of shying away from lofty targets.
Fresh from scoring his first goal for Wanderers in their 4-0 thrashing of Wigan on Saturday, the combative midfielder has already set his sights on his next career goal.
Muamba already boasts 21 caps for the England Under-21 team, making him comfortably the most experienced player available to Stuart Pearce in the current European Championship qualifying campaign.
But the 21-year-old is intent on following his former international team-mates Gabriel Agbonlahor, Joe Hart and, in particular, James Milner, in forcing their way into Fabio Capello’s future plans with the senior squad.
“If you have played for the Under-21s, it’s anyone’s dream to take that one more step up,” he said. “That’s what I would love to do.
“If we can qualify for the European Championship, then that is the next thing I want to do, but if we don’t, then I’ll take it from there and try to push on to bigger and better things.
“Milly (Milner) has been doing tremendously well with the way he has been playing for Villa this year and I definitely think he’ll be going to the World Cup.
“You can say the same thing for Gabby Agbonlahor or Joe Hart — they have both done brilliantly for the Under-21s and their club and then made the step up. It shows that if you are consistent then you can get your shot.”
Many around the Reebok who witnessed Muamba struggle in his first season with Wanderers might have scoffed at talk of international progression.
The £5million investment in the former Birmingham City enforcer was being called into question until as recently as last summer, until Muamba helped Pearce’s Under-21s to the final of the European Championships in Sweden and returned to pre-season a seemingly different player.
“Since I came back from the European Championships I have matured as a person and as a player,” he said. “The continuation from that tournament has brought me to the present day. I’ve given it the best shot I possibly can and seen how far it can take me.”
This season Muamba has shown the same stubborn determination to improve his game as he displayed by quitting Arsenal for St Andrew’s at the age of 18. And while he admits there are many areas still to be improved — such as his much-maligned scoring record — he is happy in the knowledge that he has the full backing of Owen Coyle, who has selected him in each of his 15 games in charge. “I am still young, I am still learning and there is more to come from me,” he said.
“If I can score more goals and then tighten up where I need to, then I am sure I won’t be far away.
“Since the gaffer came in he has really put a lot of confidence into me. I’m enjoying myself and playing some great football.”
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.leighjournal.co.uk/trade_directory/