England v USA
International Friendly
8.05pm, Wednesday 28 May 2008
Wembley Stadium
After three impressive seasons at Blackburn, it’s easy to forget that David Bentley is still only 23 years old. He’s had some big decisions to make too, but his main aim all along has been to be the best he can be.
In 2005 Bentley left boyhood club Arsenal, after only a handful of appearances and a season on loan at Norwich City, to Ewood Park and he has made some great strides both domestically an internationally.
Now, with over 100 Premiership games to his credit, as well as European experience, his personal scoring record has improved year on year under Mark Hughes. He scored nine goals during this last campaign and also earned four England caps.
Though a move was a big choice, he feels very happy with the way things have turned out, but says he can still get better.
“It gave me an opportunity to play and it puts you on a pedestal, playing week in, week out in the Premiership,” Bentley told TheFA.com as he prepared for England’s game against USA at Wembley.
“It’s been a good start to my career and developed me as a player. At Arsenal I could have had four or five starts a year and that wasn’t good enough for me personally, I wouldn’t have enjoyed that, and it wasn’t good enough for my career. I think you have to make strong decisions.
“From a club point of view we finished seventh this season and that was reasonably good. Personally I was happy with the way I’ve performed. I feel like I can get better, I know I can get better.”
It was Bentley’s performances for Blackburn during the early part of this season that earned him a senior debut against Israel – as well as three other caps – but the Peterborough-born midfielder is determined to show he can help England as they aim to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.
He is loving being a part of Fabio Capello’s England squad and from what he’s seen so far from the Italian, he really believes he can help the Three Lions reach their objectives. And with the players they have available they must be looking to compete in South Africa, not just be happy with qualification.
“When you come to England you’ve got to work hard. He [Capello] wants us to all move in the right direction and play the game in the right way. It’s a good environment and a winning mentality, so I think the future does look bright.
“The aim is to get to the World Cup, he wants to get there and so do the players. You’ve got to think about winning it and doing well in it, it’s not about just getting there. I think it’s more in our capabilities to get there.
“As long as we go about things in the right way, you look at the talent that’s here, we shouldn’t question that.
“We all want to get there and as a nation it’s great when we get to the World Cup or a Euros. We’ve got to get there. We’ve just got to make sure we do.”
On Wednesday night, Bentley hopes to win his fifth England cap against a USA side that he expects will give the Three Lions a good test.
“They have some talented players who play in the Premier League, it will be difficult. They’ll want to come here and put on a show and play well against England.
“It won’t be easy, but I don’t think you ever get easy games, but I’m looking forward to it.”
He added: “I think the more comfortable you become with beating the bigger team the more easier it is when you get to semi-finals and finals of big competitions.
“The more times you play them and try to get to that level I think that’s good for you. These two games will be good and hopefully I’ll get a run-out.”
Stay logged on to TheFA.com in the build-up to England v USA for more exclusive video from inside the Three Lions camp...