Oh, how things can change in the fast-paced nature of football.
That statement is no truer when you look at Jonathan Mitchell – someone who has admitted that, a year ago, he could never have envisaged that he would be in the position that he is in today.
Last week, the 22-year-old goalkeeper was named in the England Under-21s squad for their UEFA European Finals campaign in Poland, which gets underway this Friday when the Three Lions face Sweden in the tournament’s opening fixture in Kielce.
That has come after the ‘keeper stepped up to become Scott Carson’s understudy at Derby County, sign a new two-and-a-half-year contract and receive his first international call-up.
Named as one of Aidy Boothroyd’s three goalkeepers for the upcoming European Finals is just another step in what has been a year to remember for Mitchell.
“It’s a great honour – a huge, huge, honour – and I’m absolutely buzzing to be in the squad,” the shot stopper told RamsTV.
“A year ago, I could have never believed that I would be in this position so to get to this point where I have been named in the squad for the finals of a major championship is a huge honour.”
The hard work began early doors for Mitchell and all of the England Under-21 players outside the Premier League.
It’s well documented that Gareth Southgate’s squad endured a gruelling Royal Marine training weekend, but whilst the Under-21s have not quite had then same treatment, their own ‘pre-season’ camps have been intense.
Mitchell added: “For the lads that finished the season early in the Championship, we have had a couple of training camps so to speak and they were quite tough.
“They were solely about fitness, keeping us sharp and there were a few sore bodies after that one! Before the final squad was announced we had another solid week of hard work and it all came together last Wednesday.
“From that point, it was all about making sure we were ready for when we flew out to Poland on Monday.”
Boothroyd’s men fly out to their base in Kielce today ahead of Friday’s Group A meeting with reigning champions Sweden.
What is Mitchell looking forward to the most whilst he is out in Poland?
“I’m looking forward to the entire experience,” he said.
“This will be my last year with the Under-21s so I want to experience everything, take it all in, train well and help the team out where I am needed.”
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Summer International Diary 2017
