Four Chelsea youngsters have been called up to the England Under-21s ahead of European Qualifiers against Kosovo and Austria.

Reece James and Callum Hudson-Odoi will join on-loan Swansea duo Marc Guehi and Conor Gallagher as Aidy Boothroyd begins preparations next month.

Former Blues Rhian Brewster, Jonathan Panzo and Eddie Nketiah have also been called up.

Reece James

James has been called up for a second time by Boothroyd and is set to make his third and fourth caps for the Three Lions Under-21.

The 20-year-old right-back made his Under-21 debut on 15th November 2019 in a 3-0 win over Albania. James’ second cap came just days later in a 28-minute second half cameo against Netherlands which saw Boothroyd’s side lose 2-1.

Chelsea’s number 24 is a seasoned youth international for England having featured in the Under-18s, Under-19s and Under-20s all before the age of 18.

James was a member of the Keith Downing’s England Under-19 squad that lifted the 2017 European Championships. James played 83 minutes in the semi-final beating Czech Republic 1-0 before watching on from the side lines in the final. 

Callum Hudson-Odoi

Last year, at just 18-years-old, Hudson-Odoi made his senior England debut before going on to make his Under-21 debut a few months later. After a turbulent season hindered by misfortune and injuries, the 19-year-old has been called up to Under-21s.

Whether it’s humbled the teenager or driven him to push himself further, it will be a hard pill to swallow. 

Having tasted senior international football on the tip of his tongue, Hudson-Odoi will be fighting to show his worth to Gareth Southgate.

The Chelsea winger was part of the famous Under-17 England squad that won the World Cup in 2017.

Marc Guehi 

Just like Hudson-Odoi, Guehi was also a major piece of the puzzle that won the Under-17s World Cup in 2017.

Guehi has made six appearances for the Under-21s England team; starting six and playing every minute possible. The 20-year-old centre half has never been substituted demonstrating his integral place in Boothroyd’s team. A rock at the back.

The on-loan Swansea defender made his England Under-21 debut on 6thSeptember 2019 beating Turkey 3-2.

Conor Gallagher

Another Chelsea youngster, another 2017 Under-17s World Cup winner. Gallagher will be looking to make his fifth England Under-21 cap having made his debut for Boothroyd’s side in a 2-2 draw to Albania off the bench last year.

Gallagher is yet to cement himself as a key figure in the Under-21s side having started just two of his four caps.

After some spectacular performances in the Championship last season, he is certainly building himself a strong case.

Former Blues  

Former Blues Brewster, Panzo and Nketiah have also been called up – all of which left Chelsea at varying stages of their career.

Brewster and Nketiah both left Chelsea at the age of 14 before going to further their development at the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.

Panzo grew up in the Chelsea academy earning his stripes and playing through the different age groups. After a year in the Chelsea Under-18s, the left-footed centre half swapped the busy streets of London for the luxurious living of Monaco. 

After a year at AS Monaco, Panzo had made just one first-team appearance for the French giants. The 19-year-old was desperate for the move to pay dividends and light seemed to appear at the end of the tunnel.

Panzo made just two first team appearances for Monaco in the 2019/20 season before going on loan to Belgium outfit, Cercle Brugge.

He flourished and soon earned a permanent move to Ligue 1 side Dijon ahead of the 2020/21 season.