Solanke reminisces on lessons of Bournemouth relegation after England return | OneFootball

Dominic Solanke is keen to kickstart his England career after being called up to the squad for the first time since 2017.

The striker moved from Bournemouth to Tottenham in the summer after missing out on Gareth Southgate’s EURO2024 squad, with interim boss Lee Carsley welcoming him back into the fold. He has scored twice in five league appearances for Spurs this season.

Solanke is faced with the unenviable task of unseating Harry Kane as England’s go-to frontman, though he is not unused to adversity in his career.

He said: “It is a dream to play for your country, to represent your country, so when you don’t get selected it definitely motivates you do work even harder to make the next one.

“I’m thankful to be back here now.

“The squad depth is huge for this country, so it is always going to be difficult to make the squad, that’s why its so special when you do get the call up to make the most of it.”

He credits his experience being relegated with Bournemouth with helping him fight back into the England team.

“For me, when we got relegated I saw it as an opportunity to play every game, get minutes, and that is what happened.

“When we were in the Premier League I wasn’t starting every game, so to have the opportunity to go do it in the championship, find my feet, score a lot of goals and come back to the Premier League a different player, that definitely helped me.”

He adds that it has been easy to assimilate back into the squad despite having spent seven years away from St George’s Park.

“There is still al lot of familiar faces here so it has been quite easy to settle in, I know a few of the boys as well, so it’s a great environment.”

Solanke’s first opportunity for minutes will come on Thursday as England host Greece at Wembley Stadium before visiting Finland on Sunday.

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