Nathaniel Chalobah urges English Premier League kids to play abroad because it makes you grow up
Chelsea academy ace and England Under-21 star warns players they will want to return after two weeks but should tough it out for their own good
NATHANIEL CHALOBAH has urged more young English talent to take the plunge and play abroad like he did.
The Chelsea midfielder is in the England Under-21 squad that takes on Denmark tomorrow after featuring in Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Germany.
Chalobah, 22, spent last season on loan in Italy with Napoli.
It is rare for English footballers to play on the continent, especially at such a young age.
And although he made only nine appearances — starting just twice — the Stamford Bridge academy kid believes players from these shores should broaden their horizons.
Chalobah said: “Definitely, more English players should go abroad.
“For me, it was an amazing experience. I learned a new language and went into a changing room where I was out of my comfort zone a bit. I had to deal with a different culture and adapt to being on my own without my family and friends around me.
“It made me grow up. It was such a positive thing.
“But if you’re going abroad, you’ve got to do it whole-heartedly.
“It’s really tough. You will want to come home after the first two weeks — but I think a lot more players should try it.
“You are going to have to adapt to different types of football, experience another culture and a different way of how people work, too.
“It was something I had to take as a challenge. I wanted to say, ‘Yeah, I’ve done this, learned a new language, played in the Italian league and learned a lot’ — and take it on to put it in my locker for the rest of my career.”
What he learned playing and training at Napoli has helped him this season where, for the first time in his Chelsea career, he has not been sent out on loan.
Chalobah never got a look-in under former manager Jose Mourinho.
And he spent his last four seasons farmed out to Watford, Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Burnley, Reading and Napoli.
But new Blues boss Antonio Conte has kept Chalobah at the club to develop him in cup matches and has also given him eight Premier League appearances off the bench.
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The midfielder now insists Conte is the best manager he has played under.
Chalobah said: “I’ve learned so much from him tactically. I’ve learned about winning games and the passion he has rubs off on the rest of the players.
“He’s very intelligent and studies the teams we have to play. The lads are made to watch clips of our games and it’s highlighted how we can improve.
“The Italian managers always focus on the tactical side a lot more because Serie A is a very tactical league.
“I worked with Maurizio Sarri at Napoli last year and he taught me a lot on that side of things, too. And it’s just a continued process because that side of my learning curve is continuing under this gaffer.”
Chalobah liked Conte from the moment he walked into the club — and during the pre-season tour of Austria and the USA he started feeling that this was a manager who would finally give him a chance.
The Blues starlet said: “I felt that, yes, because he likes hard workers and people who are focused and want to learn. I just had to adapt to him as the manager.
“When he arrived, he already knew all the players. He knew the history of the players and where they had been. It was just a case of making sure I showed him what I could do on a football pitch.”
Despite a tough time over the past four seasons, the midfielder never once contemplated quitting Chelsea.
He said: “Some loans were good, some loans were bad, some were up and down. As a player, you can sometimes get caught up in everything and think negative things. I always stayed positive and had the opportunity to come back and play during the club’s pre-season campaigns.
“I didn’t contemplate leaving. I always thought every year that here’s a chance to play in pre-season and show the best I can and stay at the club.”
Chalobah loves the FA Cup and is delighted Chelsea are in the semis, where they face Spurs at Wembley on April 22.
He said: “Everyone in football gets this buzz for the FA Cup and we cannot wait. I love it.
“I can remember when Chelsea won in 2012 against Liverpool when Juan Mata had a great game. I’ll never forget the ‘Steven Gerrard final’ when he scored that amazing goal against West Ham in 2006.
“And then you always remember the upsets. What Lincoln City and Sutton United have achieved this season has been amazing.”
NATHANIEL CHALOBAH is a Next 20 ambassador for the Kick It Out campaign.