Zack Elbouzedi looks at a senior Ireland call-up after an impressive start to life in Sweden
Zack Elbouzedi sees a call from Ireland.
Former Ireland U21 Zack Elbouzedi admits he is looking at a call-up from Ireland to Stephen Kenny’s senior team when his impressive form for AIK continues in Sweden.
Elbouzedi was a regular on Kenny’s U21 side before, and he is hopeful that he could force himself into the senior line-up with continued good form in Scandinavia.
The former Waterford winger was left out of Kenny’s squad last week with Anthony Scully, but he admits he did not expect a call from Kenny on this week’s LOI Arena Podcast.
Elbouzedi will not be disappointed after the senior guy.
“I thought I might come in with a shout, but I did not expect to be with or anything,” Elbouzedi told LOI Arena Podcast.
“I thought I had a chance but I play well here with a good club at a good level here. Whatever happens will happen but it is my dream to play for the senior team and I would love for that to happen.
“If I start focusing on something that is not in my control and it can take away from my performance. I just want to keep playing here and play well, and hopefully the call will come. ”
Section # 27 with @aikfotboll star @ zack_elbo11 is now available on Spotify 🔥
Zack is currently warming up for a massive Stockholm derby against Djurgården and hopes to be able to build on his form to work towards an Ireland appeal 🍀
Listen: https://t.co/HGdItIykCW#LOIArena pic.twitter.com/VIUuTovJz4
– LOI Arena (@LOI_Arena) October 3, 2021
Elbouzedi hopes for a higher call.
With the winger continuing to impress for AIK in Sweden after finishing his last move, he hopes that his good form can turn Kenny’s head.
Elbouzedi and Stephen Kenny worked together with Boys in Green at U21 level in 2019, with the ex-Dundalk boss who played 12 times for the 21st century.
“It’s good that Stephen knows me from the 21st century, and he played me a lot,” he added. “Since he has been in the senior team, I have not really been in battle because I did not play matches.
“Hopefully I’m in battle now. I’ll continue to do what I do and play games. I can always get better so we’ll see what happens then.”
Elbouzedi loving life in Sweden.
On Sunday, Dubliner played in front of a large audience for AIK for the first time. And after joining the club during the summer, Elbouzedi is enjoying his new start in Sweden.
Elbouzedi starts in the Stockholm derby 🇮🇪⚽️🔥
45,000 supporters here on the ground 🏟#COYBIG https://t.co/deqad4d3m5
– Kenny’s Kids (@KennysKids) October 3, 2021
“It’s a lovely place,” he added. “The people and supporters have been fantastic to me since I arrived. When I arrived the weather was incredible but now it’s starting to get cold, and they have warned me of winter with the snow and dark days.
“It’s been brilliant so far, and the lifestyle is good here too.”
You can listen to the entire interview here.
LOI Arena is the new home for a fantastic League of Ireland discussion. Every week, Con and Conan will go to the microphone to analyze the peaks and troughs of the Greatest League in the world. The boys are joined by fantastic guests every week who share a passion for all things LOI and Irish football.
Read more about: Ireland u21, Stephen Kenny jobs in Ireland, Zack Elbouzedi