Chalobah targets title glory with Chelsea after finally breaking into senior team

When a 17-year-old Nathaniel Chalobah took the Championship by storm during Watford’s promotion charge in the 2012/13 campaign, it seemed only a matter of time before he made his mark for parent side Chelsea.

Chalobah had captained the Blues reserve team at 17 even before his switch to Vicarage Road but his potential became even more evident to the wider footballing public under Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola at the Hornets.

But after earning an eye-watering new five-year contract in the summer of 2013, Chalobah’s progression slowed as he struggled to recapture the same form during loan spells at Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Burnley and Reading.

Chalobah and Chelsea decided to test the England Under-21 star on the continent last season on loan at Napoli and while he only made nine competitive outings in all competitions, he was ever-present in the match-day squad for Maurizio Sarri.

Napoli were keen to acquire his services again this season on loan, as were Leicester City and Sevilla, but new Blues boss Antonio Conte insisted he stayed at Stamford Bridge.

And the 21-year-old fulfilled his dream of making his Chelsea debut last month as a substitute during the EFL Cup win over the Foxes and made his Premier League bow last weekend as a late replacement at Hull City.

Now Chalobah is determined to earn more game time and has set his sights on hopefully helping the Blues to glory.

Nathaniel Chalobah has made made 89 caps for England at the various age groups. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

“I want to play as many games as possible, get a few starts in, and hopefully the team does well and gets a trophy this year,” Chalobah said.

“I love the club and it’s always been a dream to step out and play in a Chelsea shirt. I have done it in pre-season plenty of times, and it’s always an honour to put on the shirt.

“To do it in a competitive game felt surreal. It didn’t kick in until the day after that I had actually made my debut.

“I had no doubts. I had been preparing for this for such a long time. I had to tell myself that when the opportunity came, I had to take it.

“I have been trying to do my best and doing everything I can in my power to get in the team. It’s a really strong squad.

“Being one of the younger players all you can really do is try to improve every day. The manager gives me encouragement and all I can do is work and see what happens.”