The Arsenal defender Calum Chambers was watched by Roy Hodgson in a few games recently, including at right-back against Chelsea, and it seems that the England boss has decided to pull the 19 year-old out of the U21 squad for the important European Championship play-off against Croatia to give him his first taste of senior football at Wembley, after coming on as a sub in the last friendly in Norway.
The U21 coach Gareth Southgate, although hoping that Chambers would play against Croatia, admitted that it was far more important for up-and-coming young stars to grab every chance to play for the senior side. He said in the Telegraph: “In my view, the first team always comes first and then the experience of the individual after that, so that is why Calum looks like he is going to play, so that is the right thing for him.
“If I am as a coach saying to him you cannot play for England’s seniors, it is not a great footing to get off on.
“Nobody can say that is not a brilliant experience to play at Wembley and possibly get a start with England.”
England may only be facing the minnows of San Marino, but for Chambers it could be the start of a long and successful England career alongside his Arsenal team-mates in the senior side.
Good luck Calum! Just remember not to concede and silly yellow cards this time eh?