Watford’s Nathaniel Chalobah in line for shock first full England call-up with Gareth Southgate a fan from Under-21 days
Chalobah quit Chelsea for Hornets this summer chasing first team football but could now make quick progress to national team set-up
NATHANIEL CHALOBAH could be set for a shock England call-up - just weeks after quitting Chelsea in desperate need of first team football.
Chalobah decided to reject a new deal with the Premier League champions in favour of making a £5million move to Watford.
And according to the Mail, the midfielder could be rewarded for his decision to by England boss Gareth Southgate naming him in his squad for September's World Cup qualifying games against Malta and Slovakia.
Southgate has admitted he is concerned at the limited options he has to cover the central midfield positions in his squad.
And the Three Lions boss is considering fast-tracking the Watford player into his plans as quickly as possible having already been impressed by what he has seen of the 22-year-old.
Southgate worked closely with Chalobah while he was in charge of the England under-21 side and has seen first hand his qualities.
The midfielder has always been earmarked as a genuine talent with the potential to come through, but his progress had stalled at Chelsea.
He was used only sparingly by Antonio Conte last season and despite the Blues offering him a new deal, Chalobah decided he had to leave for the good of his career.
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Watford were quick to snap him up having already had the midfielder on loan three years ago, and the hope is he will make a big impact at the start of the season.
Should he do so, it could be enough for Southgate to hand Chalobah his first senior call-up as he looks to build a squad for next year's World Cup in Russia.
England have a shortage of genuine options in the central role, though the return to fitness of Jordan Henderson at Liverpool will come as a welcome boost.
Eric Dier is the other certain pick, and the only other serious candidates for that position in the top flight are Jake Livermore and Jack Wilshere.
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