England vs Czech Republic: Chelsea’s Callum Hudson-Odoi called into squad for Euro 2020 qualifiers

Callum Hudson-Odoi has been called into Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro.

The Chelsea starlet, who had initially been expected to be called up into the Under-21 side, was told of the news just minutes after meeting Aidy Bothroyd’s Young Lions side in Bristol.

“It’s been a crazy day but getting my first [senior] international call-up is an amazing feeling,” Hudson-Odoi said. “Today has been a very long day for me because I had to travel to Bristol first for the U21s and then getting told that I have to come over here to St. George’s Park, it’s been a crazy experience but I’m delighted to get the call.

“I thought the manager [Aidy Boothroyd] was joking. I was shocked and then when I heard that I actually had to go over, I couldn’t believe it. I was delighted. It’s a dream come true. Now I’ve got to work hard, enjoy every moment and keep working to just hopefully make an impact when I get the opportunity. Everybody here is very humble and they’re very nice. They make sure you’re comfortable, no one has an ego here so hopefully I get to know more of the boys here.”

Hudson-Odoi becomes the second member of the U17 World Cup-winning team to be called up to the senior side after Jadon Sancho, despite never starting a Premier League game.

The teenager started every one of England’s seven games during that historic campaign at youth level, scoring twice in the process, and has become the subject of much fanfare at Chelsea after his attempted move to Bayern Munich fell through in January.

Under Maurizio Sarri's cautious guidance, the 18-year-old has scored four goals in his last ten games for Chelsea, with supporters urging the manager to give the generation academy talent more minutes.

And England’s U21 manager, Aidy Bothroyd, insisted Hudson-Odoi has all the capabilities to make an impact immediately at senior level.

“He just had his dinner and was gone. And he is getting billed for it!” Bothroyd said. “All the boys were meeting, mingling and getting to know each other again and then comes a thunderbolt and he is off.

“He is a phenomenal talent. I’m disappointed he’s not going to be here but I do have to say it’s great. Another one goes from us.

“I really like him, his self-confidence, the way he acts. He doesn’t lack any self-confidence, which I think is brilliant. He believes he should be at this level that he is playing at. He thinks he can get into the Champions League and that is a great place for a young player to be, to have that confidence.

“He has proved when he has been given the opportunities that he can do some things that other players can’t. He has got a really bright future ahead of him, wherever he decides to go!”