It’s little more than cold comfort for Canada fans at this point, but rising Chelsea star Fikayo Tomori says he wrestled mightily with his choice of international allegiance before casting his lot with England. The Three Lions have called him in for this month’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
Born in Calgary to Nigerian parents but raised mainly in England, the 21-year-old defender is eligible to represent all three nations and has worn both Canada’s and England’s colors at the youth national team levels. He now appears ready to commit himself to England rather than Les Rouges. Should he appear in either of this month’s matches, he’ll be cap-tied to England.
“It wasn’t England all the way,” Tomori told The Guardianthis week. “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.
“England is obviously such a big nation, as well as Nigeria and Canada coming up, so I think I was going to be happy with whoever called me up, but it’s nice it is England.”
Calling it a “mad turnaround” to rise from one of Chelsea’s many loaned-out players to a first-team regular within a few months, Tomori is one of several Blues academy products to prosper under new manager Frank Lampard. He’s made eight appearances for the club this season, as a transfer ban has resulted in youngsters receiving minutes. Before settling in at Chelsea, Tomori spent previous seasons on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion, Hull City and Derby County.
Canada are also in action during this window, hosting the United States in a big Concacaf Nations League clash at BMO Field this coming Tuesday (7:30 pm ET | ESPN2, UniMás, TUDN in US).
