Fikayo Tomori’s impressive form at Chelsea has seen him receive a call-up to England’s latest squad.
Chelsea defender Tomori has been called up to Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad for the first time following his brilliant start to the season.
The youngster has stepped into Chelsea’s team and arguably looked their most solid defender, with his form already receiving international recognition.
Lampard actually told Tomori that he had made England’s squad before it was announced publicly.
And Tomori admits that he had to keep the call-up a secret from his teammates at first, with only his family knowing about his big break.
“The manager told me in the changing room after the Lille game, so I knew the day before and I had to keep it a secret,” said Tomori.
“I obviously told my family and then it got announced on Thursday. It was a good week. Last season, I wasn’t expecting to be in the England squad but I never really put a limit on saying I couldn’t do it.
“ It was just more a case of giving my best for my club, wherever I was going to be playing week in, week out, to try to get in the squad. It is obviously good I am at Chelsea and now to be in the England squad, it’s a mad turn around for myself.”
Whether Tomori will receive game time for England over the international break remains to be seen, but the call-up represents huge progress for the Chelsea centre-back.
Tomori was loaned out to Derby County by Chelsea last season, but is now an important part of their first-team squad.
Lampard has already claimed that Tomori is one of his first choices in central defence now, with his form impressing all observers.
Chelsea return to action after the international break with a match against Newcastle United.
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