Joe Morrell relishing the opportunity to represent Wales at EURO 2020
Joe Morrell of Wales in action against Belarus. Wales v Belarus International Challenge Match at the Cardiff City Stadium. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD.
Joe Morrell says he is relishing the opportunity of representing Wales at a major tournament this summer as his side face-off with Switzerland in their opening group stage game this Saturday.
The 24-year-old, who plays his club football with Luton Town, was on the cusp of playing regular first-team football in the seventh tier of English football the last time his country reached a major tournament five years ago and now has a chance to make dreams come true this summer – representing Wales in EURO 2020.
From a failed trial at Fleetwood to playing alongside Gareth Bale, Morrell’s career has pretty much transformed over the last few years and is now a serious contender to start in Wales’ crucial group stage opener in Baku this weekend.
With Morrell’s first Wales appearance coming as part of a much-changed side in a friendly back in 2019, Ryan Giggs has showed considerable faith in the midfielder by using him in two Euro 2020 games in October of that year.
Before having the opportunity to play 32 minutes in Slovakia, then 40 minutes against a Croatian midfield which featured Real Madrid’s Luka Modric and Barcelona’s Ivan Rakitic.
Now, Morrell is embracing the opportunity of representing his country at a major tournament is looking to plot a successful campaign with the Red Dragons.
“It’s a tough group and it’s certainly going to be a challenge, “said Morrell.
“The group is a competitive challenge which I think we will all relish, but it’s certainly a tough group to predict from the outside.
“When you look at our group, I don’t think there’s a team which you would say would finish bottom. I think that just shows how tough a group it is to call.
“As for the Euros, it’s a stage that I feel comfortable playing on. We’ve got some fantastic and world-class players which I feel comfortable playing alongside, so when we come up against some of the top players and top teams, we shouldn’t have anything to fear. ”
Growing up as a youngster and watching the likes of Andre Pirlo, Sergio Busquets, Xavi, Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in major tournaments, would have been a dream of Morrell’s given his ambitions of being a defensive midfielder.
Now having the opportunity to compete on the big stage with Wales, does the prospect of playing against some of the best players in the world excite Morrell.
Well, after facing Kylian MBappe in Nice last midweek, the holding midfielder is certainly excited about what the future could hold for him and his country in this summer’s tournament.
“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet being a part of this Wales team. I don’t think it will until 5pm on Saturday, so that’s something that I’m really looking forward too, “he continued.
“Obviously like you said, you grow up watching some of the biggest names in football and it’s really exciting now being a player in this position, rather than a fan watching on.
“To be honest, being in the position I am now, I never thought it would happen, especially growing up in Wales as it weren’t a realistic target for me as Wales had never qualified for a major tournament in 58 years.
“After Euro 2016, I think that campaign gave everyone hope for the future and hopefully it can become more of a regular thing for us. “
With Wales fans still dreaming of a summer like 2016 packed with drama and emotion, many bookmakers have stacked up all the odds against Wales going into this summer’s tournament once again.
But Morell who started off his professional career at Bristol City insists that he and his Welsh teammates will enjoy the pressures and talk, and will remain fully focused on the task ahead of them.
“I think it’s perfect to be honest as it’s probably similar to Euro 2016, “he explained.
“Of course, not saying we are going to the same thing, but I don’t think there will be massive pressure on us which will be perfect really.
“I think we’ll approach the game the same as any other, going into each one with a positive mindset and just thriving off the challenge of three tough games. “
