Playing for your country is an honour that all players aspire towards. In recent years, many young players have made their senior international debuts for England, but not many of these debutants are from Chelsea.
Over the years, many Chelsea players have played for England. For a number of years, captain John Terry was also captain of the Three Lions.
Previous players like Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were influential members of the England set-up for the last decade. Ex-players such as Joe Cole and Wayne Bridge also featured.
With England’s preliminary 26-man squad for the 2016 European Championships only containing one Chelsea player in Gary Cahill, many fans are wondering who could join Cahill in a future England squad.
Across the youth levels of England’s national side, there is an abundance of Chelsea players. Here, we take a look a look at five future England internationals who currently play for Chelsea.
Lewis Baker
Luton born midfielder Lewis Baker is one of Chelsea’s brightest prospects. Joining the club at nine years old, much is expected of the Englishman.
Although yet to make his Chelsea debut, Baker spent the 2015/16 season on loan at Dutch affiliates Vitesse. In the Eredivisie, he featured prominently and scored a handful of goals.
Internationally, Baker has played in a number of England youth teams. Currently, with the Under-21s, Baker has made five appearances and scored one.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Ruben Loftus-Cheek is another player that could be given an England cap in the next few years.
For the past couple of seasons, Loftus-Cheek has been involved in the Chelsea first team and has netted twice for the Blues senior side.
Like Baker, Loftus-Cheek has moved up through the English youth system and is a member of the Under-21 side. Under Gareth Southgate’s management, Loftus-Cheek has appeared six times and has scored a single goal.
Isaiah Brown
Former West Bromwich Albion player Isaiah Brown could make his England debut in the upcoming years.
Another player that was sent on loan to Dutch side Vitesse, Brown featured less regularly than Baker but did manage 22 league appearances across the season, scoring just once in the process.
With the Under-19s, Brown has made 10 appearances and has scored three times. With more experience under his belt, Brown could move up to the Under-21 squad, and potentially into the senior squad, if he reaches his potential.
Kasey Palmer
Midfielder Kasey Palmer is another player that could be a part of future England squads.
With Chelsea’s youth side, Palmer gained plaudits for his play, and was named on the senior side’s bench for a couple of games this season, but is yet to make his senior debut.
For England, Palmer has featured less than others, but has been named in England Under-21’s squad for the Toulon tournament, and is expected to make his debut there.
Nathaniel Chalobah
Sierra Leone born Nathaniel Chalobah is another player that could make the step up from the youth side to senior side for England.
Like Baker and Palmer, Chalobah is yet to make his Chelsea debut but has had a number of loans spells. The midfielder spent the 2015/16 on loan at Italian side Napoli.
With the England Under-21s, Chalobah has made over 20 appearances, and is in the squad for the Toulon tournament, along with Chelsea team-mates Kasey Palmer, Lewis Baker, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, as well as John Swift.