Chelsea youngster, Trevoh Chalobah has opted to switch his allegiance to the country of his birth, Sierra Leone ahead of the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon next year.
Chalobah who was born in Freetown before moving to England to join Chelsea academy at the age 8, has continued to garner encomiums for his stellar performance for the Blues since drafted into the club’s senior team this season.
Sierra Leone are very much a nation on the up in footballing terms, which could give the Chelsea man, who represented England’s youth team more incentive to link up with the Leone Stars.
Sierra Leone managed to qualify for next year’s AFCON after Kei Kamara’s penalty gave them a 1-0 win over Benin in June.
For their first appearance in the competition after 25 years away, Sierra Leone will be in Group E alongside Algeria, Ivory Coast and Equatorial Guinea.
During a press conference, Chalobah was asked about his international future, and the possibility of one day representing the African nation.
“Obviously yes that is my country and I am really pleased, they have done well to qualify but my focus right now is on the club,” the former Lorient loanee stated.
While no permanent decision appears to have been made at the moment, the player himself will simply be hoping to continue his fine form for Chelsea, who have recently rewarded Chalobah with a long-term contract until 2026.