It’s been a memorable year or so for you… being part of England’s World Cup squad last summer, establishing yourself in the Three Lions squad and then winning the Champions League with Liverpool in June. Do you ever get a chance to look back and reflect on the last 13 months?
The way the last year has gone for me isn’t something I could ever really have imagined. Myself and my family are over the moon with how things have gone and it has been an incredible year, but it’s all down to the hard work put in over the years. I’m grateful for the managers for giving me a chance, and for all the past coaches who have given me the opportunities to get to where I am today.
How was your summer? After the whirlwind of the Champions League and Nations League, did you get a chance to wind down?
After the Champions League it was straight into trying to win another European trophy in the Nations League. We weren’t successful in that pursuit, but we were up against some tough opposition and I thought we learned a lot from it. It was a good experience and great to be a part of, and I think the way we won the last game [against Switzerland] was really good – we showed what we’re capable of in the future. After that I was able to relax and unwind and try and reflect on everything that had happened, and try and just take it all in.
It’s the first international week of the new season, how does it feel when the squad all come back together after the summer?
It’s always good. Everyone is relaxed and refreshed by the start of the new season. We’re really keen to get under way and we’re really excited to try and qualify for the Euros. We started the campaign well and it’s now about trying to keep pushing forward.
You’re a good example of the competition in the squad – the right-back spot is so strong with experienced players such as Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier challenging for a place and then Aaron Wan-Bissaka emerging over the last year, so you must feel that competition as much as anyone?
You could probably name four or five right-backs who could start, but for me it’s about focusing on playing well for your club, and your country when the opportunities arise. I’m sure there are so many players around the country who’ll be disappointed when they’re not starting these two games, but we all have to be prepared for that. It’s getting harder for Gareth to pick a team, and it’s up to us to push each other and keep making it harder for him, and for us to keep pushing each other to be better players.
You can read the full interview with Trent in the match programme for England v Bulgaria, which also features Harry Winks, Dimitar Berbatov, Boncho Genchev and much more.
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