Joe Morrell believes he’s prepared for Euro 2020 despite frustrating season at Luton
Joe Morrell of Wales in action against Belarus. Wales v Belarus International Challenge Match at the Cardiff City Stadium. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Joe Morrell has declared himself ‘fit and ready’ for EURO 2020 despite a lack of minutes in the Championship this season.
The midfielder has been limited to just 449 minutes across his 10 league appearances for Luton this season.
Morrell hasn’t played a single minute of football since the 90 he played in Wales’ 1-0 win over Czech Republic in March.
“It’s definitely been a frustrating season for me, for one reason or the other it obviously hasn’t really go to plan,” Morrell admitted.
“The chance of breaking into first team football in the Championship was what I wanted but I didn’t necessarily get that for whatever reason.
“It’s been frustrating but I do feel fit, I do feel ready and I’ll definitely be ready by that first game because training has been tough.
“I’ll be 100% ready to go, when I put that red shirt on I always get an extra spring in my step.
“Even without playing regularly this season whenever I put the Wales shirt on I’ve felt fit, confident and ready to give my all.”
Despite a lack of minutes and a potential departure from Kenilworth Road Morrell isn’t distracted ahead of this summer’s Euros.
“Addressing next season is something that I hope is hopefully underway.
“I’ve always said that I’m a footballer who enjoys not a footballer, not a footballer who enjoys being a footballer, and I think there is a difference.
“It’s something that I’ve sort of put of my mind and left with representatives and people over the summer.
“I’m focusing on the Euros and whatever happens next season happens.
At just 24, Morrell wasn’t a part of the Wales squad that reached the semi-final in France back in 2016.
Instead he was making score predictions with his family and friends whilst watching from home.
“I always used to play fantasy league and stuff for the Euros.
“My dad used to do a predictor game where me and my mates used to predict the score from each game.
“I’m not sure if I’ll be able to take part this year might be cheating a little bit,” Morrell said laughingly.
The novelty of representing his country hasn’t worn off on the tireless midfielder just yet.
All of Morrell’s 14 caps to date have come in a mixture of friendlies, qualifiers and Nation League matches.
A spot in Robert Page‘s 26-man Euro squad would most certainly be the high point of his international career.
The glitz and glamour of appearing at this summers showpiece results in being available for fantasy football, as well as potentially being a sticker to commemorate the tournament.
“Obviously you grew up watching the Euros because It’s such a big thing.
“Even the little things like having a sticker has been pretty surreal.
“I had to get my girlfriend to buy my sticker off eBay because I didn’t want to be seen by my own sticker on eBay.
“I can’t imagine it’s something Gaz and Rambo are doing, but for me, it’s my first time and it’s something I can look back on in the future.
