Johnstone backs U-20s
Young Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone believes his England team-mates can be “a match for anyone” at this month’s Under-20 World Cup in Turkey.
The tournament kicks off on Friday 21 June and Johnstone is joined in the England squad by fellow Reds Tom Thorpe and Larnell Cole. New signing Guillermo Varela and striker Angelo Henriquez will also line up for Uruguay and Chile respectively.
England’s U-21 team suffered the ignominy of finishing bottom of their group at the current European Championship following losses to Italy, Norway and Israel. Stuart Pearce’s side scored just one goal in those three games, but Johnstone is confident the U-20s can go one better.
His team, managed by Peter Taylor, will face Chile, Egypt and Iraq in Group E, with the young Three Lions ‘ first encounter against Iraq on Sunday 23 June (19:00 BST).
“It’s going to be a tough task in the group,” said Johnstone, who arrived in Turkey with the England team on Thursday. “When you look at the group, it’s going to be tougher than what it may first appear.
“But we have some very good individuals, so if we can bring that together we’ll be a good match for anyone.
“A lot of the lads have played a lot for their clubs this season in the first teams so I think it’s a good group of players. Hopefully everyone can bring their own experience to the team and we can be successful.”
Johnstone, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Championship side Walsall last season, is vying for the no.1 shirt alongside Connor Ripley (Middlesbrough) and George Long (Sheffield United).
Reds team-mates Thorpe and Cole will also hope their performances last season and at the pre-tournament training camp have been enough to force their way into Taylor’s starting XI.
“We’ve got some good players here and the lads from United have done well this season so it’s great to have them in the squad,” Johnstone said. “We’ve had 10 days’ training, with a break in between, and it’s been good.
“It was the first time I’ve been to [new England training facility] St. George’s Park and it’s good – we managed to do some good training together.
“There are a few lads who haven’t been away together before so it was important for them. I think there’s a great spirit in the squad and even though most of the lads have been away with England teams before, it hasn’t been all together like this.”
With England’s opening game still more than a week away, Johnstone and his team-mates have plenty of time to acclimatise to their new surrounds at their base in Antalya.
“It’s lovely and warm here and the hotel is nice so all of the lads are glad to be here,” Johnstone said. “We’re all looking forward to the World Cup now.”
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