/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1757189/GYI0063184650.jpg)
17 year-old midfielder Josh McEachran is one of the players called up to the England U-21 squad to face Italy after several players withdrew with injury concerns. While I don't think Josh will start on Tuesday (although goodness knows he deserves to), it's still a big honour to be called up to the U-21s from the U-19s. A senior call-up can't be that far off, either, and in the very long term I'm really looking forward to a Jack Wilshere/Josh McEachran/Jack Rodwell midfield triangle for the Three Lions.
As long-term readers will know, I'm a huge fan of McEachran. I think he's probably Chelsea's most creative passer and a future England midfield mainstay. I'm delighted that he's getting the opportunity to feature again for the U-21s after the brief appearance he made against Germany last year in England 2-0 loss, and I don't think anyone who's seen him play this season would dispute that he deserves it. Good luck to Josh and the other youngsters this week!