Liam Delap believes it is a realistic target to make the England squad for this summer’s World Cup.
The striker has scored three goals in 28 appearances for the Blues since signing for £30million from Ipswich Town last summer.
The former England under-21 international has endured a stop-start beginning to his Chelsea career, which he has described as “difficult”.
The 22-year-old has never been called up for the senior England squad, but he has been publicly namechecked on multiple occasions by head coach Thomas Tuchel, whose team will be among the favourites at this summer’s World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Delap has now explained that reaching the World Cup remains a key aim for him.
“Yeah, of course [it is a target],” he said. “I think every little kid's dream is to go and represent your country at a World Cup, and I just need to keep my head down and keep working hard.
“I know the goals will come and if the goals are coming then you never know, so we'll see.”
Asked whether he has had any communication from the FA over a possible inclusion to understudy captain Harry Kane, he replied: “No, I know myself, I just need to consistently perform at Chelsea and consistently score and do well, and then see what they have to say.”
The forward has also revealed what it was like to suffer from the “really bad” illness that swept round the Chelsea camp — and opened up on his “difficult” start to life at his new club.
“I'm sweet now, [but] it was bad,” he said. “I'm not usually too bad with illness, but this one it was really bad.
“I think a few of the boys have had it, but hopefully we can get through this little period and be alright. There's a lot of it about.
“It is frustrating, but you can only listen to the doctors and sometimes you don't want to listen to them, but you have to, it's your health and it's important. It's only a few days.”
