TOMORI NOSE HE’S ON TRACK Chelsea rookie recalls his first big break
SHANK: I’LL SURPRISE RYAN RAMSEY WORRY
FIKAYO TOMORI was still at school when he broke Diego Costa’s nose so an England call-up was hardly going to intimidate him.
But even the rookie Chelsea defender admits he has been surprised at how quickly his career has progressed under Frank Lampard.
The Chelsea boss allowed David Luiz to leave because of his faith in 21-yearold Tomori and that has been rewarded by a run in the first team and a place in the England squad.
So Tomori will not be scared of any big names while on England duty after his clash with Costa in training in February 2016 when he was 18-years-old.
Former Chelsea bad boy Costa had to fly to Milan for treatment on a broken nose and wear a “Zorro mask” afterwards.
“Yeah, I remember. I was still in school and I didn’t actually know I had done it in training,” said Tomori.
“It was alright. He didn’t kick me in training after that!
“There was a bit of stick, it was light hearted, a lot of banter. I got back to school and people were asking about it. My mates had all seen it.
“It was an accident, we both went up for a header and I had to flick the ball backwards and he tried to score.
“He headed the back of my head and he broke his nose.
“I didn’t know I had done it until the next day when it was all over the papers. I was getting a lot of messages like I meant to do it, but it was an accident.”
Tomori was eligible for England, Nigeria and Canada but when the call LAWRENCE SHANKLAND wants to silence critics who have questioned his shock Scotland call-up.
The Dundee United striker was named in Steve Clarke’s squad for the Euro 2020 qualifyiers against Russia and San Marino.
The prolific Shankland has scored 15 goals in 13 games in Scotland’s second tier this season.
But ex-Tartan Army striker Kris Boyd claimed the inclusion of Shankland (right) was a “sad indictment on Scottish football.”
Shankland, 24, said: “If I’m given came from Gareth Southgate last week to join the senior squad he immediately pledged his allegiance.
“It wasn’t England all the way,” he said. “I had certain people and certain things that I had to consider.
“I spoke to my family and people that I care about about it and that’s the decision I came to. So when England came calling, it was difficult to say no.
“The manager told me in the changing room after the Lille game last week the opportunity I hope to surprise people and do as well as I can.
“You can just do your best if you get the opportunity and if it works out, it works out.
“I see people’s point of view that it’s the second tier of Scottish football. But John McGinn has done it (with Hibs) and it can happen. Hopefully I can replicate that.
“People are always going to have their opinions and they are entitled to it.
“I’ve got a lot of goals which has helped get my name out there.” so I knew a day before and I had to keep it a secret. I obviously told my family and then it got announced on Thursday.”
Tomori spent last season on loan at Derby under Lampard and when the Chelsea legend took over at Stamford Bridge he was quick to give him another chance.
While an England call-up after four Premier League starts seems quick, Lampard has been ready to sing (right) Tomori’s praises and said he was one of his top two defenders after selling Luiz to Arsenal in the summer.
Tomori said: “Having the manager say that about you is obviously nice and that’s what you want. I know he has that faith in me and he’s showed me that faith this last year and this year.
“I’ve just tried to work hard and I knew coming back for pre-season I would have to take myself up a couple of levels. So that’s what I’ve been doing.” WALES boss Ryan Giggs is sweating on the fitness of Aaron Ramsey.
Ramsey is in danger of missing his country’s crunch Euro 2020 qualifying games against Slovakia on Thursday and Croatia on Sunday.
Giggs’ side are fourth in Group E and struggling to qualify automatically for next summer’s tournament.
The Wales boss is desperate to select Ramsey for the first time in qualifying.
But the former Arsenal midfielder, 28, sat out Juventus’ 2-1 win at Inter Milan on Sunday.
Juve coach Maurizio Sarri said the GARETH SOUTHGATE has snubbed Dele Alli for the second time in a week.
The England boss has rejected the chance to call up the Tottenham star, who has 37 caps, as cover after Fabian Delph pulled out injured from the squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
Southgate will stick with a 24-man squad and has no plans to replace Delph.
The news is a further blow to Alli, who was axed from the squad last week following his poor start to the season with struggling Spurs.
Alli, one of the stars of Russia 2018, last started for England against Switzerland in June.
He was injured for the September internationals.
England trained at St George’s Park yesterday but several players sat it out, including all of those who played for their club sides on Sunday.
Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham will be monitored by medics after picking up what appeared to be a hamstring strain during his side’s 4-1 win at Southampton.
Abraham has just returned to the senior squad for the first time since 2017 following his impressive start to the new season. midfielder, who was unused substitute, felt a twinge in his abductor muscle while warming up at half-time.
Ramsey, who last played for Wales in November 2018 in a 1-0 friendly loss in Albania, has impressed in Italy since making his Juventus debut on September 18.
MICK McCARTHY says Brighton teen Aaron Connolly, who scored twice against Spurs on Saturday, could be fast-tracked into his goal-shy Republic of Ireland side to face Georgia on Saturday.