Fikayo Tomori learnt of his England senior call up moments after Chelsea's win away to Lille last Wednesday, with head coach Frank Lampard informing him in the changing room at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
The 21-year-old centre back has enjoyed an outstanding start to the campaign under Lampard, having also played under him while on loan at Derby County last season.
However, he admitted that he had no idea that he was being called up by Gareth Southgate for the games away to Czech Republic and Bulgaria.
"Not at all. When [Lampard] told me I was like, ‘Oh’. It’s obviously a nice feeling," Tomori said after Sunday's 4-1 win away to Southampton.
"The manager told me in the changing room after the Lille game. I knew then and had to keep it secret. I told my family and obviously it got announced on Thursday."
Tomori is also eligible to play for Nigeria and Canada, who he has represented at underage level, but will be committed to England if he appears in either qualifer.
Asked if England had always been his first choice, he said: "It wasn’t like it was England all of the way. I had certain things and certain people I had to consider. I spoke to my family and people I care about about it. It was the decision I came to and when the call came it was difficult to say no.
"It was more of a thing where I was waiting for a call up. Last international break I didn’t get one from anyone. I was waiting for one this international break, England called me up so that was it.
"England is such a big nation in football, as well as Nigeria and Canada when I came up. I was going to be happy with whoever called me up."
Twelve months ago Tomori, while at Derby, would never have dreamt that he would be linking up with the England senior squad.
To be doing so alongside his clubmates Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount, friends since childhood, makes it all the more special.
Has it happened quicker than he expected? "Yeah, I’d say so. Last season I wasn’t expecting to be there but I haven’t put a limit on saying I couldn’t do it.
"It was more a case of giving my best for my club and try to get in the squad wherever I was. It’s good that it’s here. Now to be in the England squad is a mad sort of turnaround."
