Chelsea academy has produced nine England debutants in past two years after Fikayo Tomori cap – is Reece James next?

THEY say West Ham won the World Cup for England in 1966.

But it could be West London receiving all the credit should Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions emerge victorious at next summer’s Euro finals.

Fikayo Tomori is the latest Chelsea academy graduate to be capped by EnglandCredit: Rex Features

That’s because NINE of the last 21 England debutants have hailed from Chelsea’s academy.

And every single one has emerged within the last two years.

Fikayo Tomori, 21, became the latest Blue to make his Three Lions bow with a cameo in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Kosovo.

And he joins eight others who came through Chelsea’s famous youth system to represent their country at senior level.

Blues boss Frank Lampard has handed chances to Tomori, Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Callum Hudson-Odoi this season.

And all four – for the time being – look certain to be included when England take on the continent’s elite at Euro 2020.

Despite only making his Three Lions debut in September, attacking midfielder Mount, 20, has already racked up SIX caps under Southgate.

And he could be in line to even start when the competition comes around next summer.

Nine of the last 21 England debutants have been from Chelsea’s academyCredit: Getty

Striker Abraham’s first cap for England came two years ago against Germany.

But the 22-year-old’s 11 goals for Chelsea have secured a recall to the Three Lions’ set-up, and he now has four caps under his belt and netted against Montenegro.

Hudson-Odoi, 19, has appeared three times for England since making his debut in March, and started on Sunday despite recently returning from a long-term injury which kept him out for nearly six months.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, 23, remains sidelined with a similar problem, but his ten senior caps – the first of which came two years ago – indicates there is a place for him in the Euro 2020 squad when he returns to full fitness.

Four other players who came through the Chelsea academy but are no longer at the club have also made their England debuts since November 2017.

Jack Cork, 30, made his bow against Germany during that international break, having impressed for then-new side Burnley.

Cork failed to make a single appearance for Chelsea after joining the club at just nine years of age, and has not featured for England since.

Striker Dominic Solanke, 22, was another who made his debut two years ago, six months into his Liverpool career.

All nine players made their bow for England in the past two yearsCredit: PA:Empics Sport

But he managed just one goal for the Reds before joining Bournemouth at the start of the year.

And like Cork, Solanke is yet to feature again for England.

Another ex-Chelsea youngster to make just a single appearance for the Three Lions is 2017 Premier League winner Nathaniel Chalobah, 24.

He played against Spain in October 2018, a year after suffering a serious knee injury at new club Watford.

The ninth ex-Chelsea lad is Declan Rice, who has become a regular in Southgate’s starting XI.

The West Ham anchorman, 20, rejected the Republic of Ireland in favour of the Three Lions.

And he has won seven caps since his debut against the Czech Republic in March.

Chelsea can also boast having Ross Barkley in the England set-up, even though he started at Everton.

There is another potential Euro 2020 star in Reece James, 19.

The electrifying right-back is on the verge of displacing club captain Cesar Azpilicueta at Stamford Bridge after some scintillating performances.

And it can only be a matter of time before Southgate gives him a chance for England.

Callum Hudson-Odoi could soon be joined by fellow teen Reece JamesCredit: EPA

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk