Nathaniel Chalobah today admitted that leaving Chelsea was the toughest decision of his career, but believes an England call-up has already proved he made the right call.

Chalobah turned down Chelsea's offer of a new deal this summer to join Watford for £5.5m instead.

The 22-year-old came through Chelsea's Academy, but made just one League start and that came last season.

He has already been in the first XI three times at Watford and has just been called up to England's senior squad for the first time.

When asked by Standard Sport if leaving Chelsea was the hardest choice he's ever had to make, he said: "I would definitely say so.

"It was very hard because I have been at Chelsea my whole life. I had been there for 12 years and Chelsea were all I knew, it's the club that I loved and supported as well.

"For me it was a very hard decision but one I had to make to put myself in the best position that I could. That was for me to go out there and play games.

"I spoke to everyone, friends, family. I spoke to the club as well. I had a few discussions with them, but the final decision was down to me. I took some time to think about it but it was one I had to make."

When pressed if playing for Watford and being called up by England had reassured him that he's made the right decision, he added: "Yes I guess so. That was the aim, to leave and get game time somewhere else. At the minute I'm just very pleased that things are going well.

"I didn't get a call (about the England call-up) straight away. I got a text off a liaison officer and I just remember freezing on the spot and smiling from ear to ear. It's something i have always dreamed of, I was just so happy."

Chelsea coach Antonio Conte wanted Chalobah, who is the most capped England youth international with 96 games at various age groups, to stay.

But Chelsea's pursuit of Tiemoue Bakayoko is believed to have convinced Chalobah that he had to move on.

Chalobah has no ill feelings toward Conte, but admits it's always been tough for any youngster to make the breakthrough at Stamford Bridge.

He said: "I have a lot of respect for the manager. I had a few discussions with him and he was always honest with me, which for me is what I needed at the time.

"He gave me the opportunity that a lot of other managers hadn't when I was at Chelsea and it is something I will be forever grateful for. I have no bad things to say about the manager.

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"Was it about playing regularly? Yes. Last season was a good year for me in that I made my debut for Chelsea and we did good things together with the team - we won the League.

"It was just the fact that I was getting a taste of it, but just not enough and I wanted a bit more. I wanted to go out there and experience the Premier League.

"It is a difficult place to get into the team. There is a lot of pressure to win games and sometimes to chuck a youngster in is not an easy decision for the (any chelsea) manager.

"I felt as though i gave everything while I was there and did the best I could when I was part of it. Now I am at Watford I have an opportunity to really try and showcase myself."

Chelsea are not the only club in the top flight that tend to play more experienced talent than using English players from their youth ranks.

"There are a lot of good young English players," he said. "The average age for the Premier League did go up to 23 or something like that.

"It is very difficult being a young player, there is a lot pf pressure. Clubs have to be brave to play young players, it's the only way to gain experience."

