Former Colchester United man Sammie Szmodics on fine season

But the former U’s favourite is hoping his stellar season in the Championship with Blackburn Rovers has shown that he can perform at a high level.

Szmodics left his home-town club Colchester back in 2019, ending his 16-year association with the club after joining Bristol City.

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The 28-year-old played just three games for the Robins and spent most of his time on loan at Peterborough United, before signing a permanent deal at the Weston Homes Stadium.

Since then, the former Stanway School pupil has not looked back and has just enjoyed the most productive season of his career to date, winning the Golden Boot as the Championship’s top scorer after bagging 33 goals in all competitions for Blackburn.

Szmodics told SportsBoom.com: “It would be stupid for me to say I wasn’t doubting myself [at Bristol City].

“I went to Bristol City from Colchester United for £1million, I was a young lad and I found the step up hard. But I still do believe I should have been given a chance.

“However, that’s football and, looking back at it now, maybe I wouldn’t be in this position now if it had worked out at Bristol City.

“My journey has been from League Two at Colchester to on loan at Braintree in the National League, so standing here now as the top goalscorer in the Championship is something I never thought I’d do or achieve.”

Szmodics surprisingly missed out the Championship Player of the Season award but was rightly rewarded for his stunning season by scooping the coveted Championship Golden Boot accolade.

“I’m delighted and also relieved to win it because I’ve been at the top all season and I’ve been chased by some great names, so to top it off with the Golden Boot is amazing,” said Szmodics.

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“It’s a massive achievement for me because I would never have imagined scoring that amount of goals.

“To be up there all season and to actually win it, and to have the trophy here, it’s amazing for me.

“I’ve been free flowing all season. I think scoring two against Rotherham early on has really helped me kick on and I’ve just had good momentum and kept finding the net.

“I think out of all the accolades I’ve had this season, this one ranks as number one.

"I won the Player of the Month award in November, which was a big thing for me, but I don’t think anything tops the Golden Boot.”

Everton, West Ham United and Leicester City have all been linked with a summer move for Szmodics, even though he still has two and a half years remaining on his current deal at Ewood Park.

“I’d like to think so [I could make the step up to the Premier League], but it’s about getting that opportunity and chance to do so,” added Szmodics.

“But hopefully I’ve shown people who doubted me in the Championship what I can do and that I can make that step up and do it at that level.

“We’ll have to see what the future holds. It’s everyone’s dream to play in the Premier League – and hopefully I can achieve that.”

Sammie Szmodics was speaking to SportsBoom