Leeds United and Aston Villa stars reveal World Cup hopes for housemate and close pal Noah Okafor

Abraham and Okafor became friends when they played together for a spell at AC Milan, while Calvert-Lewin has become a part-time housemate of the Leeds winger this season. The pair have taken part in a short documentary for a YouTube channel dedicated to the lives and careers of Okafor and his younger brothers Elijah and Isaiah.

Villa forward Abraham says his message to Okafor has been to take on more shooting opportunities rather than focusing so much on setting goals up. This season Okafor has hit the net eight times in 28 Premier League appearances.

"He has an eye for goal, which he's showing the world this year," said Abraham. "He has a very strong mentality. That can be going to sleep on time, getting a good amount of sleep, waking up and motivating yourself. We're humans but it's about how you get yourself into that focused mode when it's time to lock in. He knows when it's time to switch off and have fun. As soon as the whistle sounds it's lock in mode. He loves assisting. I tell him to shoot more, he's doing that this year."

Calvert-Lewin, who like Okafor returned to international football in March, missed out on a call up for England for this summer's major tournament. He believes what he's seen of his 26-year-old team-mate this season bodes well for Switzerland at the World Cup.

"For me this season has prepared him perfectly for the World Cup and that pressure that would be on his shoulders," said Calvert-Lewin. "I'm more than confident that he can handle that and enjoy it as well. I think he's somebody that enjoys pressure and the expectation. Obviously I wish him success and as a close friend I want him to show the world what he can do on the biggest stage. What an opportunity. He's back in through his own hard work. I wish him good performances, health and enjoyment."

Okafor has had some developing to do in order to get into the position he finds himself in this summer. According to Calvert-Lewin, the winger impressed with his quick feet in his initial training sessions at Thorp Arch but had work to do to acclimatise.

"I remember it well, he signed I think one week after I did and the season had just started, we'd already played the first game," said the number 9. "I was obviously happy to see new recruitment to strengthen the squad and I remember his first sessions. His feet were so quick. That's the first thing I remember thinking, he has a lot of ability and he's so quick and explosive. I think it took him maybe a couple of weeks to get used to the different environment, the different tempo. It's a different league. I think I saw sometimes he would try to dribble when it wasn't time to dribble. So his decision making maybe took a couple of weeks to adjust but then he would knock it and run past people with ease. Then he started to flourish and you've seen this season how he's grown and his confidence. His off the ball work has improved, that's been his biggest improvement. He already had the quality but his off the ball output has been so much better. That's information he's taken on board as well, that could be perceived as criticism, and put it into practise. It's all come together really well."

There were a few little setbacks to overcome as well. Okafor was in and out of the starting XI around January and then picked up a hamstring issue in February.

"He handled it very well and showed his true character in that moment," said Calvert-Lewin. "It was 'my time will come again I just have to keep training well, being disciplined.' Nothing really changed in his temperament and look how he came back. He's been even better since then. Actually what I liked about Noah that I could probably apply is how he dealt with the setback. I stay at his house once or twice a week because I live in Manchester and we talk a lot. The way he had confidence in himself, 'it's okay, no worries, I'll get back in the team.' There was no desperation. His calmness in adversity."

Abraham, meanwhile, believes that Okafor's desire to prove his ability will stand him in good stead this summer, after an impressive debut campaign in English football. The Villa man, who like Okafor has Nigerian family roots, wants to see Okafor perform a goal celebration at the World Cup that they have conjured up together.

"He always feels like has to prove himself," he said. "People who have something to prove are always hungry. He's showing the world in the Premier League, having a fantastic season. He should take that confidence into the World Cup. I need him to score a few goals. Me and him have to come up with a celebration, I want to see him do a celebration we came up with together. I'm expecting good things."