Watford new boy Nathaniel Chalobah in line for full England call-up after leaving Chelsea this summer

  • Gareth Southgate is a huge fan of Watford's summer signing Nathaniel Chalobah
  • The 22-year-old midfielder left Chelsea this summer for first-team football
  • Chalobah could be called up for World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia

Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah is in line to be promoted into the full England set-up by manager Gareth Southgate.

The England manager is a huge fan of the 22-year-old, who left Chelsea in search of regular first team football earlier this summer.

And Sportsmail understands Chalobah is firmly in Southgate's thinking ahead of the new season.

Watford summer signing Nathaniel Chalobah is in line for a call-up to the England squad

Watford summer signing Nathaniel Chalobah is in line for a call-up to the England squad

Chalobah was part of the young Lions squad who played at the Euro Under 21 championship

Chalobah was part of the young Lions squad who played at the Euro Under 21 championship

It remains to be seen whether the midfielder will receive his first call up for the World Cup qualifying double-header against Malta and Slovakia at the start of September.


But, performances permitting, Chalobah can expect a senior call-up sooner rather than later.

The England manager bemoaned his lack of central midfield options after the 2-2 draw against Scotland in June.

The return to fitness of Jordan Henderson will come as huge boost to Southgate.

Chalibah challenges Aston Villa's Leandro Bacuna during the pre-season friendly on Saturday

Chalibah challenges Aston Villa's Leandro Bacuna during the pre-season friendly on Saturday

Nevertheless, Chalobah's decision to leave Stamford Bridge for regular football is set to propel the midfielder into the national team.

Tottenham's Harry Winks is another on Southgate's radar but Chalobah is far more prominent in the England boss' thoughts.

Meanwhile, Southgate will warn his players they have to be playing regular football next season to be assured of a place in his World Cup blueprint.

The manager’s stance leaves a number of players facing transfer dilemmas going into the new season.

England manager Gareth Southgate is a huge fan of the 22-year-old former Chelsea midfielder

England manager Gareth Southgate is a huge fan of the 22-year-old former Chelsea midfielder

Southgate has already shown he is prepared to axe players from his squad who are not playing regularly; former captain Wayne Rooney omitted due to his lack of action at Manchester United last season.

And Southgate will tell his players that he expects them to be gaining regular game time in the lead up to Russia 2018.

A host of players, including high-profile stars such as John Stones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Luke Shaw and Daniel Sturridge are waiting to see if they play regularly next season.

If they find themselves on peripheries of the first-team, players will have big decisions to make over their futures.