Brighton star Jack Hinshelwood makes Bukayo Saka admission as England dream outlined

Brighton's Jack Hinshelwood has enjoyed an eye-catching start to the 2024-25 season after winning Albion's Young Player of the Year award last term and now the highly-rated 19-year-old has set his sights on a future England call-up

Jack Hinshelwood can just about recall his first footballing memories - Chris Wood firing Brighton to the League One title.

Now Albion's Young Player of the Year and ever-present, undroppable teenage gem is out to rain on the prolific Nottingham Forest frontman's parade.

"I remember when he went to Leeds, he definitely scored a few against us," says Hinshelwood, who was only five when seasoned striker Wood, 32, first donned the blue and white stripes worn by Brighton.

"We know the quality Forest possess in attack and defending as well, they kept a clean sheet at Anfield after all. But we want them to make sure they'll have to be at their best if they wish to take something from the game."

The versatile 19-year-old midfielder, now plying his trade at full-back, is not sure what was harder - marking Arsenal's Bukayo Saka or sorting a large batch of tickets for his England U21 debut at Luton earlier this month.

He added gleefully: "I had to get about 12 or 13 tickets for my family to come and watch - which is usual for most home games as well. But I can also acknowledge that the first 10 to 15 minutes were tough up against Saka.

"It was what I was expecting but it was still tough. But to get through it without conceding early helped me to grow into the game. It was a difficult spell but I'm young, learning and it was a great experience for me, it's what I've been working towards my whole life."

Despite his meteoric rise to Premier League stardom, Jack - the sixth Hinshelwood to play professional football - is never too old to heed advice from idol and father, Adam, who made over 100 appearances for Albion and is now in charge of National League table-toppers York City.

The Chichester-born starlet, whose great uncle Martin also managed the Seagulls on three separate occasions, continued: "There's a good feeling in my family at the moment with my dad also doing well. There was a point last season where I was injured and he'd just got the job and we were having a bit of a tough moment but we've come through it together as a family.

"I'm really happy to see him flying now and I hope it carries on because it brings that family feel-good factor and having them there is really helpful, I think. They just let me just crack on, they know I know what is needed to be successful and I have to keep listening to people in this building to improve."

A text from Brighton's forward-thinking head coach Fabian Hurzeler swiftly grounded Albion's defensive jewel following his U21 debut against Austria.

The 31-year-old German had already analysed match footage of Hinshelwood and arranged a video analysis session upon return to Sussex.

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

Sky Sports deal

Sky Sports launches 'lowest price' Premier League package
£43 (was £52)

Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £216 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

With Ultra HD included at no extra cost, football fans can enjoy the 2024/25 season with crystal clear picture quality.

Sky
Get the deal here

But it helped remind the Three Lions youth ace that he's achieved precious little yet, though he notes this could be the perfect time to mark his mark at international level.

Hinshelwood concluded: "It's every little boy's dream, you want to grow up and play for England. You can see with the pathway now, there are so many young lads in the squad and that really provides motivation.

"Everyone in that U21s team now, even the younger age groups, can be aspiring to get into that England set up because that's what we all work towards. I just need to keep working hard and to see where that takes me."

Join our new WhatsApp community! Click this link to receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.