After receiving his first senior England call up, Emile Smith Rowe talked about how he almost got into Chelsea before joining Arsenal.
Emile Smith Rowe was overjoyed when he received his first senior call up for England on Monday and revealed how he almost got into Arsenal’s London rivals, Chelsea.
The 21-year-old became part of Gareth Southgate’s team because of injuries to Marcus Rashford and James Ward-Prowse.
“It is a dream come true, I definitely didn’t expect it,” Smith Rowe told reporters on Tuesday. “I was going into the U21s And I got a phone call the day before from Gareth to say I am in the first team.
“It was a great moment for me and my family. My mum was downstairs when he called and I was upstairs. I ran downstairs and told her straight away, it was very emotional. They were so proud of me and I couldn’t wait to meet up with the squad.”
“Everything has happened so quickly but I try to keep my head down. It is surreal to be here and I want to learn as much as I can.”
Nevertheless, before joining the Gunners, Smith Rowe had the golden route to play at Stamford Bridge, but he did not make it at that time.
“Yes, before I went to Arsenal, I went on trial at Chelsea through one of my teammates at my local team,” he added. “He was on trial there already and he put in a word for me. I don’t know how he managed it but I got a trial at Chelsea but I didn’t get it.”
“It was difficult to take at the time, being so young. But I went straight into Arsenal after that and luckily I got in and I haven’t looked back since.”
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