It is unusual to hear a 21-year-old Premier League star planning for life after football but Chelsea’s Fikayo Tomori is taking nothing for granted.
While most of the England squad fill the empty hours playing Fortnite or FIFA 20, Tomori is using the time to study.
The centre-half, who has been included in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the first time, is three years into a business management degree at the Open University which he hopes to complete next year.
A maiden England call-up has not deterred the Canadian-born defender from his studies and five days away for the Euro 2020 qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Bulgaria is the perfect opportunity to catch-up on reading.
“Football is not going to go on forever,” Tomori said ahead of Friday night’s match in Prague. “When I retire — or God forbid I get an injury — then I have something I’m working towards and that can stand me in good stead for the future. I’m reading leadership in business, that’s the current topic.
“I spend maybe about eight to 10 hours a week, something like that. I’m reading all the time, trying to learn new things. I haven’t got the books [with me] but I can do it online, so I can see whatever I need to see on there.”
The days of England squads bitterly divided by club cliques are a thing of the past but Tomori’s transition to international football has been made much more easier by being called up with his long-time friends and fellow Chelsea academy graduates Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount.
He is also a big believer in the benefit of socialising with his new England team-mates, even if he does not share their passions, and plans to pick his moments for reading.
“Everyone is gaming,” said Tomori, who has played for Canada U-20s and could still represent Nigeria if he does not feature in England’s double-header. “I’m not really much of a gamer, I let them get on with it, but there’s a lot of FIFA and Fortnite going on.
“We’re also talking about football, life, everything. It helps me feel more relaxed. It’s bonding. You can talk to each other, get to know each other, see people’s personalities.
“It’s good because you get to know someone and that can translate onto the pitch. Those times away from the pitch are just important as on the pitch.
“I’ve had a little look at my books,” he said. “Obviously it’s the first few days [of the England camp], so I’ve tried not to look at that too much and be focused on the football. But when I do have free time, I can look at them.
“I like to spend time with the boys, which is important, and have a bit of fun. But at night before I’m going to bed or whatever, I might have a look over it.”
