Mourinho welcomes England call-ups for Chelsea youngsters

Jose Mourinho believes the growing number of Chelsea youth internationals is good for both club and country.

Dominic Solanke (pictured), who only turned 18 in September, made his England Under-21 debut this month, joining Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Lewis Baker, John Swift, Nathaniel Chalobah and Ola Aina as one of six Chelsea representatives in the squad.

Charlie Colkett, Izzy Brown, Tammy Abraham, Jake Clarke-Salter, Jay DaSilva, Ike Ugbo, Jared Thompson, Trevoh Chalobah, Dujon Sterling, Mason Mount and Martell Taylor-Crossdale have all been involved this season with various England youth squads.

Blues boss Mourinho said: “It’s good for Chelsea, it’s good for them and hopefully it’s good for the national team too.

“It’s a period of their evolution as players. International football is different to club football – it is in age groups, so they are playing with kids of that age.

“That is different to club football where they play with people with 15 years more [experience] than them.

“But at this age, every experience is good for them, so I’m more than happy.”