Josh Onomah says he has a new self-belief after winning the Under-20 World Cup with England – and he is hoping to get more chances in central midfield at Tottenham as he attempts to emulate his role model Mousa Dembele.

The 20-year-old has struggled to get regular game time at Spurs after coming through the academy, only starting three matches last season.

Mauricio Pochettino has generally deployed him on the right side of an attacking midfield trio, but Onomah shone in a deeper, central role for the young Lions in South Korea, playing a key part as he and his team-mates became the first England side to win a World Cup at any age group since 1966.

He has since returned to Tottenham with a sense of pride, and is keen to now show what he can do at club level.

Asked if he has come back feeling more confident, Onomah said: “Yes I have, to be honest. I think the World Cup has helped with that.

“The experiences in South Korea have helped me to become a better player mentally and physically. I feel like it’s the fittest I’ve been on both fronts. I feel I’m ready for any challenges that come my way.

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“It was an amazing experience for me and my family – a speechless moment to win the World Cup because England haven’t done it for a long time. I’ve been back at training now and it’s been good. Now I’m looking forward to the season.”

While Onomah was able to lift the World Cup in the end, he had to overcome adversity after being bizarrely sent off in the quarter-final against Mexico, getting a second yellow card when he accidentally trod on an opponent’s ankle while in possession of the ball.

“When I first received the red card, I was speechless,” said Onomah, speaking after taking part in a Q&A with youngsters from the Special Olympics organisation in Orlando, USA.

“I didn’t know what to do. It was crazy. But I knew my team were going to get me into the final, and for them to beat Italy the way they did [in the semi-finals] was just amazing.

“I couldn’t wait to get back into the team. I’m thankful to the gaffer (Paul Simpson). He said after I got my red card that no matter what happened, I would play the last game. To get that [assurance] helped me get through it.

“It didn’t really sink in until I sat in the room indoors. By then, it was too late [to react]. I thought I handled the situation quite well at the time.

“I tried my best not to watch the video back because I would have got angry with myself. Not watching it helped me as well.”

Onomah’s impressive performances showed why he remained part of Mauricio Pochettino’s first-team squad last term, rather than being sent out on loan, and he feels he has probably gone up in the estimation of a lot of Spurs supporters.

“I was happy that I’ve done that,” he said. “When I’ve played in a Spurs shirt I haven’t really been at my best. To go away in the summer and show what I’m capable of is something I’m proud of, and I look forward to doing it in a Spurs shirt.”

While he has the utmost respect for Pochettino and has always been grateful for any playing opportunities, Onomah admits it has perhaps been harder for him to impress at Tottenham given that most of his game time has been in a wide position.

“I agree,” he said. “But with me, because I’m quite a versatile player and can do a number of things, as long as I’m on the pitch playing for Tottenham, I feel that’s the main thing.”

Asked if his international performances in central midfield may have sent a message to Pochettino and his club coaches, Onomah replied: “It could have done, but I’ll play anywhere.

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