Emerging All White star Joe Bell is confident the national squad will continue to develop “more of an identity” despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an interview with Sky Sport’s Football Fix, the young midfielder says coach Danny Hay and his All Whites players are doing what they can behind the scenes to be ready for when international football resumes.
“There’s been a lot of work going on in the background to keep us connected and keep building on (developing our identity) so that when we do get back together, it’s only going to get better,” he says.
Bell (21) is currently in pre-season for his second term with Norwegian club Viking FK and has been coping with the challenges of -10 degree temperatures and needing to learn some basic Norwegian so he can understand his team mates on the pitch.
Bell made an impressive debut for the full national side, playing in the 3-1 loss to Ireland in November 2019.
The former U-20 captain was anticipating a trip to the Olympics last year with the U-23 side but the postponement of the games, and doubts whether they will go ahead this year, mean he’ll continue to focus on club football and be ready for the return of international competition when it can finally resume.
Joe Bell interview
