England manager Gareth Southgate has called up Leicester defender Ben Chilwell following the withdrawal of injured Luke Shaw.
Manchester United defender Shaw has been forced to withdraw from the squad through injury.
He will now sit out England’s UEFA Nations League fixtures against Croatia and Spain.
Southgate promotes young talent
Shaw has been replaced by 21-year-old defender Ben Chilwell.
The Leicester City left-back made his debut for the Three Lions in last month’s friendly win over Switzerland.
Southgate had already called-up Mason Mount and James Maddison from the U21 squad, as well as Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho from the U19s for this month’s games.
England U21 manager Aidy Boothroyd feels that Southgate’s faith in youth, can only be a positive for the national side.
He said:
“I think its great that the first thing Gareth does when a player gets injured is look in the Under 21’s, 20’s and the 19’s now as well.”
“He’s certainly promoting young talent and giving them an opportunity and I think for the rest of the guys in the pathway it makes our job easier, because everyone knows If they do well they’ve got a chance.”
Chilwell has started all eight of the Foxes’ Premier League games this season, cementing his place as their first-choice left-back.
Chilwell’s call-up was thoroughly deserved, according to Boothroyd.
He said:
“It was a really tight decision. I know that because I was in the meeting (to call-up Chilwell).
“Sometimes you don’t always get the opportunity so you’ve got to be ready. Ben has been training every day at full tilt. He’s grown now to be Leicester’s first choice left back.
“He deserves everything he gets, he’s going to be a top player I’m sure.”
Boothroyd brings in Dasilva
Under-21’s manager Aidy Boothroyd has called up Bristol City’s on-loan Chelsea left-back Jay Dasilva to replace Chilwell.
Dasilva has only made 3 appearances for Bristol City in the Championship this season, but Boothroyd knows him from their time together at the Toulon Tournament.
Boothroyd understands that losing players to the senior side is part of his job and insists it means he’s doing something right.
He said:
