Chelsea academy is finally producing young talent for England… after nearly two decades of trying

NEIL BATH – take a bow, fella.

After nearly two decades of trying, it finally came together for Chelsea’s head of youth development yesterday.

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Three players of his academy graduates – Mason Mount, Tammy Abraham and Fikayo Tomori – were all named in England’s Euro 2020 qualifiers.

Throw Ross Barkley in and Chelsea will supply four of their boys to England camp next week for the games with Czech Republic and Bulgaria.

If Callum Hudson-Odoi had another month of football under his belt, you would fancy he would have been named in Gareth Southgate’s squad as well.

England’s head coach, who made some big, big calls with this squad, said: “It shows how many good young players are coming through.

“Generally speaking, those lads come in and stay in, which is a credit to them, but shows the level of player that’s coming through our academies. It truly is amazing.”

Abraham, who scored a worldie against Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday, has earned his place back in the squad.

He has been in before, earning caps against Brazil and Germany in 2017 when his game was raw and unrefined.

This time - with seven Premier League goals already under Frank Lampard – he looks ready.

“With Tammy and Fikayo Tomori and with Mason Mount, we were intrigued. They have reacted incredibly well.”

Gareth Southgate

Southgate added: “Tammy is one that came in, we had a look at and felt it was a bit early.

“We put it back down, which I think was an important process for us to be able to have.

“We should do what we think is right for a player’s development and if that’s moving them back down - as we’ve done with Callum Hudson-Odoi - this time, then it’s important we don’t just discard that development process.

“He comes in and rather than being a young player looking at all the other players thinking ‘where do I fit in?’, he’s top of those scoring charts.

“He should walk through the door at St George’s and be ready to seriously challenge.

“With Tammy and Fikayo Tomori and with Mason Mount, we were intrigued to see how they would go this season on the big stage. They have reacted incredibly well.”

Tomori also looks the part, earning a regular place in the centre of defence after Chelsea's shaky start to the season.

BOYS IN BLUE

He caught the eye in the win at Wolves, when he scored a pearler, but he has got the nod for his defensive attributes.

He comes in because John Stones is still injured, but you would fancy Tomori’s early-season form would have seen him off anyway.

He has played for England’s Under-20 and Under-21 teams, but the senior side is a different beast altogether.

Southgate added: "His profile as a defender fits with the way international football is.

“Athleticism is important, he’s capable with the ball, plus we think it’s a good opportunity for us to have a closer look at him with training in our group because we haven’t worked with Fik as closely as some of the other players throughout the age groups.

“He’s in good form and will be feeling confident about himself. So, he’s played very well for Chelsea in some big games against some big opponents. It’s a great opportunity for him.”

For others, it will feel like the end of the road.

These are big calls for Southgate because he is threatening to discard the likes of Jesse Lingard, Dele Alli, Kyle Walker, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Stones.

They have a fight on their hands now, a real battle to get back into the team after Chelsea’s academy kids came of age.

Although Frank Lampard took the plunge and picked them, he will credit Bath today when he speaks ahead of their Premier League fixture at Southampton.

After a day like this, Bath deserves it.