Swift progress
By Nicholas Veevers
Wednesday, 24 October, 2012
England U18s and Chelsea man John Swift looking forward to clash with Italy
John Swift will add another cap to his collection tonight when he lines-up for England U18s against Italy in Mansfield.
The Chelsea midfielder has been a regular for the Three Lions over the last two years, starring at both U16 and U17 level before featuring for Noel Blake’s U19s in their Euro qualifiers in Estonia last month.
Now he is back with Blake again and the chance to win his first U18 cap and hopefully another step on the international ladder.
He said: “I’m looking forward to it. It’s another game for England and it’s a great achievement every time I’m called up really.
“I was lucky enough to go away with the U19s for their qualifiers recently and that was a great experience for me, so I’m looking to bring that back for this game and perform well against Italy.
“It will be a hard game for us, but I’m sure all of the lads are looking forward to it because I know I am.”
The 17-year-old is seen as one of Chelsea’s rising stars and was part of the team which won The FA Youth Cup last season.
And having seen the progress made by fellow Stamford Bridge Academy graduates such as Nathaniel Chalobah, Josh McEachran and Ryan Bertrand with England in recent seasons along with the likes of numerous other Chelsea colleagues in the U16 and U17 groups, the Portsmouth-born dynamo knows how valuable international football can be.
He added: “To put it simply, to play for your country is one of the best things you can do as a footballer.
“Working with different players and the way they play and then adapting to the way they play is really good and it helps your game a lot when you go back to your club.
“I know what the U19s squad is like now and I can see what’s in front of me and what I need to do.
“And being with Noel Blake again now with the U18s, it’s good pressure on me to come away and try to impress him again and hopefully be involved in the next game and push for the U19s.”
You can read the full interview with John in the Official Programme for the game. Click here to order.
Call 01623 482482 for tickets (£3 for adults and £1 for concessions)