Gray Outlines England's U21 EURO Determination
- Demarai Gray previews England's UEFA U21 EURO opener against France on Tuesday (8pm BST kick-off)
- The Young Lions are among the favourites to win the competition in Italy this summer
- Gray says his role as one of the most experienced players in the group is one he takes seriously
- Leicester City's versatile winger is one of four Foxes players in the youthful England squad
The Young Lions commence their campaign in Italy with a Group C curtain-raiser against France on Tuesday evening, an encounter which could see Gray earn a 24th cap for England’s Under-21s.
Gray was a prominent part of the squad which reached the last-four of the competition in Poland two years ago and is determined to return to Leicester with a winner’s medal next month.
Speaking to the international media this week, the 22-year-old told UEFA.com: “You don’t realise how short the tournament is. You qualify for the group stages and then there’s the Semi-Final.
“Last time we lost to the team that won the tournament in the end [Germany] so that tournament is good experience, but now I’m back and I want to leave with a winner’s medal.
“With me having played the previous tournament, I know what it’s all about. I like to lead and carry responsibility on the pitch.
“It’s completely different from when I came to the European Championship before. I was overawed. It’s quite strange really, but I like that role and that responsibility.
“I remember being the baby and looking at the other players and how they carried themselves and went about it.
“The difference (from club football) is hard to explain, but it’s a very big tournament and I know what it’s all about and that’s why I want to win it so badly.”
Tuesday’s 8pm BST kick-off clash with France will involve two of the tournament’s favourites going head-to-head and it’s a challenge which Gray is excited to confront.
Gray is joined by Foxes team-mates James Maddison, Hamza Choudhury and Harvey Barnes in Italy - and the Birmingham-born midfielder has described the quality in England's squad as 'crazy'.
“I think in any tournament, the first game’s vital,” he added. “We know what France have got, there are a few names everyone’s familiar with, but we don’t really want to focus on France.
“Yes, they’re a good team, but like I said, the depth and quality in our team is crazy.
“If you look on paper, there are so many big names and I think everyone’s playing week-in, week-out at their clubs, so it’s good. We’ve just got to deliver on the pitch.
“I said in a previous interview that the first game is almost like a final for us.
“France are one of the top teams, we’re one of the top teams, so it’s key we get the three points to give us that kick-start.
“I’m pretty sure that if we get those points, we’ll just excel throughout this tournament.”
You can follow updates on City's English contingent throughout the tournament on the Club's official social media channels and LCFC.com throughout the summer!