England U17s' Andre Dozzell: 'We've come here to win it'

Andre Dozzell says England Under-17s are targeting Euro glory in Azerbaijan and emulating the squads of 2010 and 2014.

The Young Lions got their first win at this year’s Finals on Monday night when goals from Ben Morris and Reiss Nelson sealed a 2-0 victory over France.

And despite losing their opening game against Sweden last week, Monday’s result means another win against Denmark in Thursday’s final group fixture will be enough to take them into the quarter finals.

"It’s a big tournament and we’ve come here to win it, not go home on the plane after the group stage," said the Ipswich Town midfielder. 

"We knew what we had to do after the game against Sweden and we’ve done it so everyone is happy. 

"We just need to take it in to the next game now against Denmark and win that one too."

Steve Cooper’s squad travelled out to Azerbaijan for the Finals knowing that this is a competition which has seen success for England in recent years.

The likes of Jack Butland and Ross Barkley won the title in 2010 and players such as Raheem Sterling, Wayne Rooney and James Milner have also figured at this stage before.

But Dozzell believes the current crop can use that as inspiration for their own Euro campaign and development as international footballers.

"I know England have a good history in this competition as well and we want to continue that," he explained. 

Dozzell has started both games at the Euro Finals so far this week

"A couple of years back we actually won it and that was a great experience for those boys. 

"But the senior England players have been here at this level before as well. 

"People like Wayne Rooney, James Milner and Jack Butland have all taken part in this tournament so the experience here is definitely a valuable one for me and the rest of my team-mates."

For fans of a certain generation, the playmaker’s name will also evoke memories of his father Jason playing for Ipswich and Tottenham Hotspur in the formative years of the Premier League.

There was even a twist of fate last month, when Dozzell scored a goal on his senior debut for Ipswich aged just 16-years-old, something accomplished at the same age by his father over 32 years ago. 

And Andre admits his father has always been a great role model for him to aspire to over the years.

"He’s been there and done it and he can give me advice like how to be around a competition like this and how to be in the matches - so little advice like that can obviously help me," he revealed.

"Hopefully I’ll see him out here when he comes out for the semi-finals!"