Chelsea defender, Levi Colwill has been called up by Gareth Southgate for the first time as he joins teammates Raheem Sterling, Conor Gallagher and Ben Chilwell in the England senior set-up.
The Three Lions will continue their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign against Ukraine at Stadion Wroclaw in Poland on September 9, three days before they meet Scotland at Hampden Park for a 150th Anniversary Heritage friendly match.
Gareth Southgate has named a 26-strong squad for next month’s contests, with Chelsea centre-back Colwill and Arsenal’s forward, Eddid Nketiah officially included for the first time following his rise to stardom for club and country.
The shakeup in selection meant there was no place for Raheem Sterling, even after the forward’s bright start for Chelsea in this campaign. While, Citey’s John Stones misses out through injury, alongside Manchester United’s Luke Shaw.
After receiving interest from Brighton and after speaking with Mauricio Pochettino, the 20-year-old defender agreed to a new contract with Chelsea and revealed his desire to be selected for the 2024 European Championship team.
Colwill stated: “Going and training with England was a significant deal for me. It sort of proves that whatever you do is significant. being there and surrounding oneself with some of the best players in the world. I must continue to push because anything is possible. That is how it is. I hope to be there.
After Colwill was replaced against AFC Wimbledon at Stamford Bridge after collapsing, Gareth Southgate might have had second thoughts.
However, to assuage any worries, Pochettino assured them that he would be there for Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
“No, he is not hurt, the Blues manager said. It’s a minor problem, not a major one. He has ice on his ankle, but that won’t prevent him from enjoying the weekend,” said the manager.
Raheem Sterling though, was not called up by Southgate despite the winger’s promising performance under Pochettino. After being left out of the previous Three Lions squads, the 28-year-old has been the finest performer for the Blues in the first few weeks of the season.
Conor Gallagher was also called up after starting all four of Chelsea’s opening games of the season, as well as Ben Chilwell following a lengthy injury spell out last season.
James Maddison and Eberechi Eze were rewarded for their fine form over the past year as they joined the selected 26-man to prepare for the friendlies ahead. The pair are likely to be handed opportunities in the friendly match versus Scotland at Hampden Park.
