03 April 2023 , 21:30
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Joe Willock is targeting a "dream" double this summer by combining Champions League qualification with an England call-up.
The Newcastle midfielder is at the top of his game, driving Eddie Howe’s side to third place, including a breakthrough goal against Manchester United on Sunday. Willock and his team-mates set a private goal of challenging the top four this season - despite being relegation battlers last term - and are on track to qualify for Europe.
Newcastle now face three away games in 10 days with trips to West Ham, Brentford and Aston Villa, ahead of a showdown with top five rival Tottenham. Willock’s energy and relentless running power has been key to United’s season, which has seen a bounce back from three defeats to three wins in a row.
The former Arsenal man said: “Champions League? 100% that’s our goal, I’m not going to sit here and lie to you. I feel like we’ve got the group to do that. We have a manager that believes in us. Hopefully we can achieve our goals. I feel like it is in our hands. We have 11 cup finals left.
“We want to channel the disappointment we had in the Carabao Cup final. I feel like losing the final is one of the worst defeats you can have in football. We were very upset but we tried to use that in a good way. We were electric against Man U and we fed off the fans.
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“That’s the game we want to play. We have the players to do that so I was really happy we executed that. I can’t even fathom what it will be like. It will be incredible so hopefully I can play at the highest level with this team.”
Howe greeted a question about the Champions League with a cheeky: “The what?” trying to keep the hype away from his team. But Willock is embracing ambition, and has been talked up by Howe as a potential England contender along with team-mate Sean Longstaff.
Joe Willock opened the scoring in Newcastle's 2-0 win over Manchester United on Sunday (Stu Forster/Getty Images)Asked about the June internationals, Willock said: “Of course, that’s my dream. I want to add more goals and assists to my game, and I feel like it will definitely come.
“If I keep chipping away and working hard it will definitely come. I’m a unique midfielder and I’ve got all the attributes to play at the highest level. I feel like I can add a lot. I believe in my abilities.”
Willock quit champions elect Arsenal for first team football after a prolific goal scoring loan spell under Steve Bruce. But he’s a more accomplished player now.
He reflected: “The fans made that decision easy for me. They’re the best fans in the world and I’m so happy to be at this club. Hopefully we can achieve our goals.”