Emile Smith Rowe impressed Chelsea 's youngsters while trialling with the club many years ago - but Stamford Bridge academy staff feared he was not "big enough".
Blues right-back Reece James witnessed Smith Rowe's trial in person and has since been reunited with the Arsenal playmaker in the England set-up.
The pair, both 21, have been selected in Gareth Southgate's squad to face Albania and San Marino in World Cup qualifiers over the next week.
James is a Three Lions regular and he has already racked up eight caps, while Smith Rowe - who stands six-foot tall - will hope to make his debut following his first call-up.
The Hale End academy graduate has been in brilliant form with three goals in as many Premier League games.
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Smith Rowe was invited to the senior set-up after Marcus Rashford and James Ward-Prowse withdrew from the squad with injuries.
This came as no surprise to James, who has known the Gunners No.10 would make it to the top since his trial with the west London club.
"I've always known he is a top player. He came to Chelsea when he was quite young, actually, on trial," James told reporters of Smith Rowe on Tuesday afternoon. "I remember playing with him and playing against him.
"Even when he moved to Arsenal, I always knew he was a top player and I think this season he's shown how good he is and why he's been selected."
Asked how Smith Rowe fared in his first training sessions with the senior England squad, James responded: "He's what he's like in games, you know. Everyone can see how well he is and how well he's been doing."
Smith Rowe recalled the reason for his rejection by Chelsea earlier this year and also claimed bitter Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur were keen on his services.
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"I grew up in an area that should be more Crystal Palace than anything else, but I was an Arsenal fan," he told the Daily Mail .
"I trialled at Chelsea and didn't get in. Something about me not being big enough, I've heard. But Arsenal found out and picked me up.
"They were flexible, too. They knew I lived far away and told me to come in when I could. Tottenham showed interest but I stood by Arsenal. They're my club."
Smith Rowe has scored 12 goals and registered nine assists in 58 appearances since joining Arsenal aged 10.
