England new boy Nathaniel Chalobah elated with call-up

Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah admits that he holds no grudges with former club Chelsea, where his playing time was marginalised.

The 22-year-old midfielder has been impressive since his debut for the Hornets earlier this month, and his performances have earned him a maiden call-up to the England national side.

Speaking at a press conference, the enforcer refused to get carried away with his first England call-up as he will be in the focus of media, who will look to take advantage of any flaws in his game, he said: “Everyone feels pressure in some way, but for me it’s just about keeping my head down and staying focused. Things are going to be said, you’re going to be praised, the media might try and kill you sometimes, but it’s part and parcel of football.”

Chalobah has become the first Hornets player since John Barnes in 1983 to earn a Three Lions call, and he is determined to stay focused in order to maintain his spot in the national side, he added: “Things are going well at the club for me at the minute. I’m just trying to keep my head down and stay focused and hopefully try and get many more call-ups.”

The midfielder had a tough spell with the Premier League holders last season as he was mostly used from the substitutes’ bench. Chalobah enjoyed a decent spell in the line-up during last season’s FA Cup, but even there, Antonio Conte chose his senior squad as the Blues approached the latter stage of the competition.

Now at Watford, Chalobah looks at home at the centre of the park, and he will be hoping to maintain a good run in order to stay within the national team reckoning for next year’s World Cup. England are currently leading their qualification group by two points, and they are favourites to secure a World Cup berth with just four games to play.