Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
NAT RESULT
Southgate hopes to give Chalobah a full call-up, but is keen for him to get more games at Chelsea
GARETH SOUTHGATE is keen to fast-track Nathaniel Chalobah into his England World Cup set-up. Southgate is keeping close tabs on Chelsea’s England Under-21 midfielder. He believes Chalobah is the next cab off the rank to senior international level – and can play a vital role in his plans. But the Three Lions boss is desperate for Chalobah to see regular first-team action in the Premier League. And that is a concern because of the lack of English youngsters making the grade at Stamford Bridge. Chalobah, 22, impressed during the Euro Under-21 Championship and is one of the few anchorman midfielders coming through the system. There is a dearth of options in that department with Tottenham’s Eric Dier filling the role while Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson has been struggling with injuries. That has meant a call-up for West Brom’s Jake Livermore, while Southgate has even talked about deploying Manchester City centre-half John Stones further forward. Chalobah has already been loaned to Napoli, Nottingham Forest, Watford, Reading, Burnley and Middlesbrough. It will be interesting to see what impact he makes this season with the champions. Although Nemanja Matic could join Manchester United, Chelsea are set to bring in Tiemoue Bakayoko from Monaco, as he does a similar job. Chalobah must get regular games now, and Southgate has a similar concern with several existing senior players. Raheem Sterling faces increasing pressure for his starting place at Manchester City and Ross Barkley’s future at Everton is uncertain. Chalobah believes that those coming through the St George’s Park system will get opportunities under Southgate. He said: “Gareth Southgate has shown with his faith in the system that anything is possible leaving the U-21s. “Previously he’s called up Nathan Redmond and James Ward-prowse, players who have been here in Poland. “Everyone here has to try to look forward to the next step.” England will head north for pre-tournament friendlies ahead of next year’s World Cup. Before the Euros, they played at Sunderland and Manchester City. Anfield is likely to be one potential venue next year. Southgate has been in Russia for the Confederations Cup and fancies Saint Petersburg as a base rather than traffic-clogged Moscow.