Everton forward Ademola Lookman admits England Under-21s boss Aidy Boothroyd was right to question his focus.
Young Lions boss Boothroyd criticised Lookman’s performance, fearing speculation over his future had affected him, after last month’s 2-1 win in Latvia.
South Londoner Lookman responded with a man-of-the-match performance, scoring once in the 7-0 thumping of Andorra on Thursday as England booked their place at Euro 2019.
In the summer the 20-year-old missed out on a move to RB Leipzig, where he spent part of last season on loan, and he conceded Boothroyd’s home truths have helped.
He said: “It’s very important (to hear criticism) because you can get caught up in this bubble. When someone tells you, is real with you and tells you the truth it allows you to think and bring yourself back to reality.
“He spoke to me about it but I’ve just tried to put it behind me and move forward. I’m at Everton and I will do my best and train hard.
“I did (think the comments were fair). I feel more settled now, the transfer window is behind me so I’m getting my head down and working hard.
“You want to play, that’s my objective, and I hope to do that soon. What’s out of my hands is out of my hands.”
Lookman has made just three appearances for Everton this season and is yet to start in the Premier League.
He admitted he does not know when he will break into Marco Silva’s first XI but is determined to make an impact.
“I couldn’t tell you, I don’t know. There’s competition but I’m always in competition with myself. I can only affect what I can affect and that’s all I’m working on,” said Lookman, who joined the Toffees from Charlton in January 2017.
“I wouldn’t call it frustration. It’s just opportunity, I haven’t had as much opportunity as I would have liked and I need to keep going forward and working hard. I can’t just stop, I’ve got to keep going.”