The Vital Interview: Nathaniel Chalobah

Some extracts from tomorrow’s ‘Vital Interview’ in the Watford FC matchday programme

CHELSEA LOANEE Nathaniel Chalobah has proved something of an instant hit at Vicarage Road, displaying a coolness and authority well beyond his 17 years.

As the Sierra Leone-born midfielder-cum-defender explains, agreeing a loan move to WD18 on transfer deadline day was a no-brainer:

“Michael Emenalo, the chief scout, and Roberto Di Matteo said they would let me go on loan this year so it was a good move to come to Watford,’ confirmed Chalobah.

“I didn`t want to go to a team where I wouldn`t be able to settle in and do the things that I usually do. Coming here was the best thing I could possibly do because Gianfranco and his team are trying to play football.”

Despite not making his professional debut until arriving at the Vic’, Chalobah has been making waves on the international scene for a number of years now, having debuted for England’s U16s at just 13.

Playing at centre-back, Chalobah helped England to a memorable U17 European Championship win two summers ago, an extremely proud occasion for six-footer:

“I don`t really know what to say. It was amazing, amazing! We were the first age group to win it since the likes of Paul Scholes so we made it into the history books and we were all very pleased.”

Chalobah will be keen not only to help Zola’s Hornets move up the league table during his six-months here, but also build a foundation for forcing his way into Di Matteo’s thinking at Stamford Bridge.

Remember to buy your copy of the Official Watford FC Matchday Programme in order to read the rest of this interview in which Chalobah touches on a number of subjects including youth development and Chelsea’s Champions League success.