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Chelsea defender, Fikayo Tomori, has said he was happy that it was the Three Lions of England was the first to extend invitation to him as he sets to make his senior debut in the Euro 2020 qualifiers against Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
There were insinuations that the defender was thinking of switching allegiance to the country of his father, Nigeria after impressing in the colour of Chelsea during the ongoing English Premier League season.
Speaking with Goal.com, the 21-year-old, who has been a revelation in the heart of Chelsea’s defence this season, revealed it was not a straight decision to play for England despite representing the country in age grade competitions.
Tomori was also eligible to play for one of Canada or Nigeria, but he is set to feature for England after he was named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Tomori was also eligible to play for one of Canada or Nigeria, but he is set to feature for England after he was named in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.
He revealed that he would have represented either Canada or Nigeria if either of the two countries had they extended an invitation to him before England did.
“England is such a big nation, as well as Nigeria and Canada, so I think I was going to be happy with whoever called me up – but it’s nice it is England,” Tomori said.
“It wasn’t England all the way. I had certain people and certain things that I had to consider. I spoke to my family and people that I care about and that’s the decision I came to. So, when England came calling, it was difficult to say no.
“It was just more of a thing I was waiting for a call-up because the last international break I didn’t get a call-up from anyone. This international break, I was waiting for a call-up and England called me.”
Tomori is one of several academy graduates to have been given opportunity at first-team level at Chelsea this season following Chelsea’s transfer ban.
“England is such a big nation, as well as Nigeria and Canada, so I think I was going to be happy with whoever called me up – but it’s nice it is England,” Tomori said.
“It wasn’t England all the way. I had certain people and certain things that I had to consider. I spoke to my family and people that I care about and that’s the decision I came to. So, when England came calling, it was difficult to say no.
“It was just more of a thing I was waiting for a call-up because the last international break I didn’t get a call-up from anyone. This international break, I was waiting for a call-up and England called me.”
Tomori is one of several academy graduates to have been given opportunity at first-team level at Chelsea this season following Chelsea’s transfer ban.
