Eddie Nketiah has opened up on the advice he has received from Thierry Henry after the forward was included in the senior England squad for the first time.
Nketiah has been rewarded with a first call-up to Gareth Southgate’s squad after a strong start to the season at Arsenal, with the 24-year-old having scored twice in four Premier League appearances.
The forward is England’s all-time record goalscorer at u-21 level with 16 goals in 17 games, but this month’s inclusion represents his first with the senior side.
Nketiah has discussed his journey from the Arsenal academy to senior England squad and has revealed the guidance he has received from ex-Arsenal great Henry.
Henry scored a club-record 228 goals for the Gunners and Nketiah spoke on the ‘amazing’ experience of working with the Frenchman.
“Thierry has been magnificent for me,” Nketiah said, as per Sky Sports.
“I was able to be coached by him as a first-year scholar at 16, it was amazing, one of my best and most enjoyable seasons, being able to bounce ideas off him and he gave me a lot of confidence and still to this day when I see him he is still supportive and still really helpful.”
On the best advice he received from Henry, Nketiah said: “Probably just to believe in yourself.
“He came in and saw the quality I had when I was 16 or 17 and said that I just needed to believe in myself, whatever anyone else said. That is what is going to drive you, to motivate you. That’s probably one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received.
“I think he knows what he’s talking about, so it’s not a bad feeling!”
