Ange Postecoglou has said Dominic Solanke has had to work ‘awfully hard’ to earn an England call-up this month.
Solanke has been named in the squad for October’s internationals with Greece and Finland, a first inclusion since winning a sole cap in November 2017. The forward was viewed as a future England international when progressing through the academy system at Chelsea, where he scored prolifically for club and country at youth level.
His senior career took time to flourish, however, and included relegation with Bournemouth and rebuild in the Championship. Solanke scored 19 top-flight goals for the Cherries last season to earn a £65m club-record move to Tottenham in the summer.
He has scored three times in seven appearances for the North Londoners and Postecoglou has praised the 27-year-old’s journey back into the England set-up.
“He has had to work awfully hard in his career,” the Spurs manager said at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Brighton.
“It is a salient point to all young players that the trajectory doesn’t always go in a linear fashion where you start at big clubs, he was a youth international and made an impact but for one reason or another he didn’t get started. It didn’t deter him and he went to Bournemouth and worked awfully hard.
“He had a year in the Championship, I think there were reasons why he wasn’t selected. His goal output last season got him into the frame.
“I’ve had him for a month, I have zero to do with his achievements to get into the England team, it is down to him. Even the way he has handled his move here, a big club, big expectations.”
