After Euro 2024 got underway last night and many Wolves fans will be temporarily switching their allegiances from club to country, Tommy Doyle has reflected on his own recent glory wearing the Three Lions of England.
The Wolves midfielder was part of the England side which claimed the 2023 Under-21 European Championship out in Georgia and Romania 12 months ago, and despite missing a large chunk of the competition due to injury, came on in the final to help his country over the line.
With England getting their Euro 2024 campaign underway against Serbia on Sunday evening, Doyle will witness some of his close friends - including Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer - from the under-21s make the step up to the senior side in Germany this summer, and although he will be cheering them on, he admits the tournament will be providing him with the extra hunger to pull on the white shirt of his country once again.
On helping England to the U21 Euros title
“It was special. It obviously feels like a long time ago now, but it was a special moment with an amazing group of players and amazing staff members too, which was really nice. I have fond memories of it.
“It does feel a long time ago, but it’s always one of those things when it’s brought up in conversation that it brings back a lot of great memories, which is nice. The main thing was that we had such a talented group, but a talented group which came with a lot of questions from the outside, if we’d gel together and if we’d be able to perform.
“Things were mentioned about egos and clashes and all that stuff, but it was not the case. It was a group of lads who were very humble and listened to each other, ultimately, we helped each other and that’s why we won that tournament.”
On being confident heading to Georgia
“I think from the very start we felt like we were onto something special. Obviously, it’s easy to say now, but we were confident going into the tournament that we had the ability, but you never know until you get into the tournament and you start playing games.
“It was probably after the group stages, or probably after the Portugal game, we thought we’ve got a chance because against Portugal we probably weren’t the better team, but we ended up winning and when stuff like that happens in the tournament you think the luck is on your side and you have a chance here.”
On overcoming injury ahead of the final
“If it was during the season, I’d have been out for a lot longer, but I wanted to push and get back and the doctors and the physios were all great with me and it was definitely worth putting my body through that to get back on the pitch and share the memories with the lads.
“When the penalty got given, a lot of things came into your head then, because the lads had given a lot throughout the game and it would’ve gone to extra time, so it would’ve been difficult, but that’s why we had ‘Traff’ there and fortunately he saved it. It was a relief.”
On being close with his England teammates
“It’s always nice now when you come up against the lads in the Premier League, you can have a laugh and a nice catch up with each other. I’ve got lads there who I grew up with, like Taylor Harwood-Belis, Anthony Gordon, Cole Palmer and Curtis Jones, and I’m really close with them, so there’s a lot of good lads.
“It’s amazing to see lads who I’ve grown up with playing some top football. There’s a lot of talent in the age groups and there are a lot of lads now who are pushing [in the senior team] and I want to be one of them lads as well to push and hopefully next season I can really push on and give myself a shout.
“It shows that if you perform you’ll get your opportunity. It’s nice for us to see that it’s working. I’ve always backed myself and it’s nice to see that you will get that opportunity, so you get that extra belief, but it’s enjoyment really. It’s obviously an honour to play for your country, and it’s something that I would love to do again.”
On watching them at this summer’s Euros
“It’s going to be amazing. The lads who have been doing really well and affecting games higher up the league than us, hopefully they will get their opportunity and it will be good to watch them and I’ll be cheering them on.
“They just need to keep doing what they’ve been doing. There’s a lot of good players and they’ve been in situations now in the latter stages of tournaments, so they’ve got that experience and I’m sure the wiser heads in the dressing room will take a grip in the group and there’s no reason why they can’t win it.
“Football’s football for me, so I’ll watch it although my goal is to obviously be there. Hopefully, eventually, if I put in the performances then I’d like to be there. But it will be good to watch and give me a bit more fuel and hunger for the future.”
