Chelsea star, Fikayo Tomori has admitted it was difficult for him to say no to England when he was called for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.
The 21-year-old was born in Calgary, Canada, to Nigerian parents but raised in England. He was eligible to represent the senior national teams of the three countries but decided to pick England, a decision he said was a difficult one.
He said: “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. 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 it 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 up. It’s been a good week. Nice to get the England call-up, but winning in Lille and today, it’s been a good week. The manager told me in the changing room after the Lille game (about his England call-up) so I knew a day before and I had to keep it a secret. I told my family and then it got announced on Thursday. The manager told me and I was like ‘oh’. It was a nice feeling. I’d say so [that it came quicker than I expected]. Last season, I wasn’t expecting to be there but I never really put a limit on saying I couldn’t do it. It was just more a case of I’ve got to give my best for my club and wherever I was going to be playing week in, week out and try to get in the squad wherever I was. It is obviously good I am here and now, to be in the England squad, it’s a mad turnaround for myself.”