OX IN THE BOX
Oxlade-Chamberlain on mission to bring football home after watch England’s World Cup campaign in pub with fans
ENGLAND’S Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on a mission to bring football home — and it is all thanks to the fans.
The midfielder missed the last THREE tournaments due to injury and is now dreaming of scoring the winner in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
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But it is a moment from when he was sidelined that is driving his quest for glory.
During the Three Lions’ stirring semi-final run at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the Liverpool ace went to watch an England game at Shoreditch Boxpark in London.
And he was bowled over to see first-hand the country falling back in love with the national team.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 26, said: “I went to one of the games at Boxpark, which was interesting.
“It was the Belgium game, the last group game, we lost 1-0.
“I felt it would be a good idea to go down there, completely undisguised for everyone to see.
“I was shocked. That was the first time I’ve ever watched a football match with football fans of my team. I’m either always in the stadium or at home.
“I’ve never been to a pub where there’s a bunch of fans and watched it with them.
I was shocked. That was the first time I’ve ever watched a football match with football fans of my team. I’m either always in the stadium or at home.
Oxlade-Chamberlain
“Never been to a pub with England fans, or in a big place, to see what it means to them. It was a surreal moment. I could see my mates on the screen doing what I usually do.
“And how everyone around them was reacting and what it meant to them.
“I was almost idolising them as well. I was just seeing them do that and what it was creating around me.
“I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s Raheem Sterling, look at what he’s done, do I really do that?’
“It was an experience — and my friends were like ‘Chambo, this is why it’s so weird for us.’
“There were a few times where the impatience came out and I wanted to be like ‘Relax! Relax, calm down!’ But no, that’s what football’s all about.
“There were probably a few times when I was with them, thinking, ‘What are you doing?’
“But it was special what it created and I got to see that first-hand in the environment — and it wasn’t what I expected.”
OX'S INJURY BATTLE
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s career has been littered with injuries but the latest nightmare was the serious knee ligament damage he sustained in the 2018 Champions League semi-final win over Roma that kept him out almost a YEAR.
He fought his way back into the Liverpool side late last season and five appearances at the start of this campaign convinced Gareth Southgate to recall him for the Euro qualifiers with Bulgaria tomorrow and Kosovo on Tuesday.
The former Arsenal and Southampton star hopes a first cap since March 2018 will be his first step to realising the dream fuelled by that evening as one of the supporters.
If England, currently top of Group A, reach Euro 2020 they could play up to five games at Wembley — and the Ox’s night at Boxpark means he now knows just how the country could react.
Big-screen venues were packed out during Russia 2018 and thousands of pints flew into the air after every big goal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain added: “It was like ‘s**t, I’ve missed out on something big here, this is special.
“I was seeing what it meant to people, rushing in from work — their shirts on, still in their ties.
“It was like, everyone, the whole nation, was watching together. I met a couple of doctors there, a couple of boys from the City, some plumbers.
“They all came into Boxpark, and it was just mayhem.
“I’d never seen that first hand, so it was really, really special and sort of a reminder of what it means to play for England.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain hopes next summer will be the same.
He said: “That would be great. I think the boys in Russia did themselves proud to create that environment where people have more belief and a bit more of a connection going forward.
“We’ve got to make sure we get there first because that would be a bit of a party wouldn’t it? So that’s the main thing we’ve got to do, then win it.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain then grinned: “I think it’s written in the stars for me to score the winner! It is every boy’s dream.
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“But, we have to respect what is in front of us — we have to beat Bulgaria then Kosovo and finish off the campaign.
“There might be a bit more of an expectation going into the next tournament. But that is exciting for us and this squad has the confidence to cope with that.
“This could be a dream come true, especially with a lot of it being at Wembley. It does not get much better than that.”
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