England’s centre-half problem leads to 18-year-old rookie

Sarah Winterburn

Chelsea teenager Trevoh Chalobah trained with England’s World Cup squad on Monday morning.

Defender Chalobah, 18, was invited to St George’s Park after the withdrawal of Burnley’s James Tarkowski – who was on standby for Russia.

Chalobah has not played a senior game for the Blues but has been a star performer in their youth set-up and was part of England’s victorious under-19 side at the 2017 European Championship.

Leicester’s Harry Maguire was missing from training but he is not carrying an injury and is instead following a personalised conditioning programme.

Chalobah joined brother Nathaniel during the session, with the Watford midfielder working alongside the senior squad following an injury-hit season.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate welcomed his Chelsea and Manchester United continent back after granting them an extra week off – meaning Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Phil Jones were back on show.

Burnley goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who is providing back-up for Jordan Pickford, Jack Butland and club-mate Nick Pope before they head to Russia, also reported for duty after sitting out the first week in camp.

Manchester City prospect Angus Gunn deputised then but has now left the group.

Southgate will gather his full squad together at the weekend when Liverpool’s defeated Champions League finalists Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold join the squad, alongside standby midfielder Adam Lallana.

 

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