Young Chelsea star hoping to impress Conte on European stage

Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah is hoping to catch the eye of Antonio Conte as England’s quest for glory at the European Under-21 Championships gets serious.

The 22-year-old made just ten appearances for Chelsea last season in Conte’s first season with the club but, unlike in previous seasons, wasn’t sent out on loan by his Italian boss.

While Chalobah will be hoping for international success in his final year as an Under-21, he will also be looking to impress the Chelsea manager who may well be keeping tabs on the young Sierra Leonean-born English midfielder.

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“Hopefully the gaffer will be watching but regardless I have to try and do my best, I can’t do much more. If he’s watching that’s great,” Chalobah said.

“It’s my last time involved with the Under-21s, as it is for a few of the lads, and we just want to give everything.

“We’ve been to a few tournaments and they’ve not gone too well but we’re here now and we’re in a better position so we want to kick on from here.”

Speaking more generally about his England teammates, the Chelsea player said: “We’ve got big characters in the changing room.

“We’re a bunch of men in there, we have a lot of respect for each other and honesty is the key to being a team.”