3/1 To Win
Derby County Academy graduate Lee Buchanan is relishing the prospect of pulling on the England Under-21s jersey for the first time as the Three Lions take on Andorra at Wolves’ Molineux Stadium on Friday night.
It’s Buchanan’s first call up to Aidy Boothroyd’s Under-21s squad and it’s reward for a fine start to the season for the young left back who has made 10 appearances for the Rams so far this season.
Operating at both left back and left wing back, the 19-year-old is accustomed to the England set up having played for both the Under-19s and the Under-20s previously.
Boothroyd’s side have already qualified for next summer’s Under-21 European Championships so the next two fixtures are a chance for Buchanan to work his way into the manager’s plans ahead of the tournament.
“I was quite surprised when I got the Under-21s call up,” he admitted whilst on media duties earlier this week. “I’ve been with the Under-20s for the last camp, but it means a lot to me.
“I have played nine or ten games now for Derby this season and I think personally that I’m developing quite well. I’ve still got a lot to work on.
“I’m still only 19-years-of-age so I’ve still got a lot of things to work on in my game. So far I’ve done well but I just need to keep going and get my head down.
“It shows that if you do well with your club then it gives you a massive opportunity to come and play for your country. The Under-21s is a massive step up so I’m really pleased and really looking forward to it.”
The Three Lions take on Andorra on Friday 13th November (7:30pm kick-off), whilst four days later, they face Albania. Despite the Three Lions already qualifying, Buchanan knows there is still a lot of work to be done.
“The lads have already qualified but we still have tough games against Andorra and Albania,” he said. “They are two very good sides so if I get any game time, I want to show the manager and the staff what I am capable of and put myself there so when the next call up comes, I am ready, if I do get chosen.
“I’m looking forward to it. Andorra are a good side and will come after us. Even though we’ve qualified, it gives the lads and me a chance to show what we’ve got for next year. Everyone will want to be in that squad. Everyone has a part to play still to try and get the three points.”
And Buchanan revealed that Rams skipper Wayne Rooney, and England's all-time leading goalscorer, had given him a few words of advice ahead of his call up.
“He spoke to me just before I came away, after the Barnsley game,” he explained. “He said that I’ve been here a couple of times so it won’t be much different but he gave me a few words.
"He is England’s all-time top goalscorer so speaking to him helps me a lot. He just said go out there and enjoy yourself, keep doing what you’re doing at the club and I’m sure you will be fine.
“There are a lot of young lads who are learning a lot from him. Personally, he speaks to me about my positioning, how to manage the game and that is good to play alongside him. He has given me a lot of tips on what to do whilst I’m here and I just want to enjoy myself.”
