Has any player ever started for England before he started a Premier League match? As football statisticians furiously get to researching, Sky Sports News is reporting that Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to start against Montenegro in Podgorica. The 18-year-old has eight Premier League appearances to his name, none of them starts.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is set to make his first England start against Montenegro tonight, before he’s started a Premier League game for Chelsea, Sky Sports News understands.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 25, 2019
Sky’s “understanding” comes on the heels of England manager Gareth Southgate revealing that Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, and Jadon Sancho (on his 19th birthday!) are all facing late fitness tests ahead of tonight’s match, which could mean that only 17 players will be available as England look to make it two wins from two to start the Euro 2020 qualification process. Eric Dier was already set to miss out after picking up an injury in Friday’s game. He is set to be replaced by another playing making his first England start, former Chelsea trainee Declan Rice.
But all our eyes will be on the 18-year-old Hudson-Odoi. G’wan, Cal!