Blues midfielder Andre Dozzell has been buoyed by the words of new manager Paul Lambert and is aiming to win a place in his team. Dozzell was speaking after picking up his second England U20s cap, a game watched by Lambert, back at his old club Colchester United.
"I was out last year so I missed a lot of England and the U19s Euros, so it was disappointing but I’m getting back into things and I’m proud to make another appearance for England,” Dozzell said after the 2-0 victory over Germany, the 19-year-old having ruptured a cruciate knee ligament on the opening day of 2017/18.
"I feel like I’m very close if not there. I feel like the more minutes I play that I’m improving and feeling sharper and the more I can run hard.
"I think it’s the intensity of the running and stuff that I can do now that I wasn’t able to do previously, but it shows that you get stronger the more you play, and you just keep getting better.
"If you’re out for a year it’s a long time and for me I want to play first-team football and get some experience, but I’m trying to get myself back in the team and go from there."
So far Dozzell has been a sub in both Lambert's games since he took over at Town, making it on to the field for the last six minutes of the 1-1 draw with Preston, but he says the new boss has told him he will get his opportunity and he's determined to show him he is worth a spot in his XI.
"He says I’m a good talent and my chance will come, and I’ve got to keep working hard and show the gaffer what I can do," former Copleston High School pupil Dozzell added.
"It’s up to me to show him what I can do in matches. Whether it’s coming off the bench I’ve got to catch his eye and get myself in the team because I want to play as many games as I can.”
Meanwhile, Trevoh Chalobah, who skippered the England team at Colchester, was pleased to claim the victory after a difficult first period.
"It was a good win for the boys against a good German side," he told the club site.
"The first half wasn't up to our standard but in the second half we came out strong.
"It's a privilege for me to be captain. I have been since U16s and through all the levels and I think I'm improving as one.
"My family were there and it's always nice. They've been to all my home games with Ipswich so it's good to have them with me."
Chalobah's attention now turns to Friday's live-on-Sky home game against West Brom.
"It's been a good week [with England]. We've been training all week leading up to the game but now I'll go back to Ipswich and get ready for Friday," the on-loan Chelsea man added.
"I'm feeling better than ever and I'm ready for a tough game but hopefully we'll get the three points."