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Football London
Football London
Sport
Oliver Harbord

Chelsea youngster added to England U21s squad to join Callum Hudson-Odoi and Reece James

Chelsea's Academy Player of the Year Conor Gallagher has been added to England's U21s squad.

The 19-year-old, who is currently on loan at Charlton Athletic, has had a superb start to the season in the Championship and netted his fourth goal of the season at the weekend.

Gallagher was originally called up to the U20s squad for the upcoming international week, however has been bumped up by Aidy Boothroyd and will be with the squad for the matches against Slovenia and Austria.

Reece James, Marc Guehi, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Trevoh Chalobah are already in the squad and now will be joined by the midfielder.

Frank Lampard has been willing to give his Chelsea youngsters a real chance this season, with those who impressed in the Championship last season getting a go in the first team.

James was superb at Wigan, Fikayo Tomori and Mason Mount impressed at Derby County and Tammy Abraham scored plenty of goals for Aston Villa.

And Gallagher is hoping to get his chance when he returns to the squad next summer.

"They have managed to get into Chelsea's first team. That is the dream for me," Gallagher said.

And Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has been surprised and delighted with the form of his new youngster.

"For a 19 year old kid who has never played men's football, he's surprised everyone I think," Bowyer said.

"He's surprising Chelsea as well. They didn't know how far he could go so soon. Chelsea people came in.

"[Claude] Makelele came in on Thursday to speak to us and talk about the loan and ask how Conor is and give their thoughts and everything. He's going to be one to watch."

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