NATHANIEL CHALOBAH'S summer move to Watford has already paid dividends with a first England call-up

Despite seven years at Chelsea, Hornets probably know him better than those at Stamford Bridge.

7 Nathaniel Chalobah has earned his first call-up to the England squad Credit: AP:Associated Press

7 The midfielder's international prospects have drastically improved since moving from Chelsea to Watford Credit: Rex Features

Five years after the most successful of his six loan spells, Chalobah is back at Vicarage Road permanently after a bargain basement £5m move.

And in Marco Silva's side's first three matches against Liverpool, Bournemouth and Brighton it was like he had never been away.

Chalobah came out and played with a swagger that is not exactly common from midfielders in this corner of Hertfordshire.

The only difference is, where five years ago he looked like the skinny teenager he was, now he has an aura about him.

The hair has grown, he towers over most on the pitch and he has bulked up into a player that the opposition would take one look at and really not fancy playing against.

And when the game starts, he backs up that impression by making football look very easy. Almost effortlessly, he can turn on the ball, take opponents out of the game and turn defence into attack.

7 Chalobah cuts a far more imposing figure today than he did at Watford in 2013 Credit: Getty Images - Getty

7 If he reaches his potential, he could emulate Real Madrid and Germany's Toni Kroos Credit: Reuters

But while he starts in the holding midfield position that Tiemoue Bakayoko is now set to occupy for Chelsea, don’t expect him to go thundering into tackles.

Chalobah would rival John Stones as the most continental-style young player England have.

If he is coached properly at the Hornets and the Three Lions, he could have a huge career ahead of him.

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In the mould of Real Madrid star Toni Kroos, Chalobah starts deep, but always plays on the front foot.

Like the German, almost every single pass from the Sierra Leone-born midfielder will see his team end up in a more advanced position.

He is also not afraid to try the outrageous, and loves to arrive into the box late and finish off the moves which he so often starts.

7 Chalobah opted to leave Chelsea after realising he would be unable to displace new signing Tiemoue Bakayoko Credit: Getty - Contributor

7 Gareth Southgate needs to use his experience managing with the England U21 squad to help Chalobah thrive Credit: PA:Press Association

7 The Sierra Leone-born midfielder's one weakness is that he can be exposed in physical battles Credit: Reuters

But let’s not be naïve, there is a reason why he is at Watford and failed to earn an opportunity at Stamford Bridge.

Chalobah’s greatest strength can also be his greatest weakness.

He is there to be got at and what counts as swagger on a good day looks positively casual when things aren’t going for him.

At the moment, he is still only able to play one way.

Because of his constant eye for a positive pass, opponents can enjoy a lot of success doubling up on him and forcing him into collisions, which can see him lose possession in dangerous areas.

And being exposed physically in this way can make it look like he is not up for the fight.

Former Chelsea youth coach Dermot Drummy pointed this out when Chalobah joined the Hornets.

He told the Watford website: "He had good shape and good technical ability but in terms of aggression he was very mild.

“I remember subbing him a few times in youth team games as he wasn't doing enough to tackle and win the ball back.

“Sometimes he'd look at me like I was from another planet!”

And developing a Plan B with Chalobah is where England boss Gareth Southgate will earn his money.

The midfielder has played 40 times for the under-21s, with most of those appearances coming under the current Three Lions manager.

Where Chalobah may have been seen as too high risk under the likes of Sam Allardyce and Roy Hodgson, Southgate is much better placed to help the 22-year-old spread his wings.

And if he can make the under-21s’ most capped ever player reach anything like the level of Toni Kroos, Southgate will go a long way to restoring England to a team that can be competitive at major tournaments.