Signed from Paris FC’s youth squad a year ago to the day, Sami Tlemcani is still a long way from featuring for Chelsea’s first-team.
After all, the Blues, managed by Thomas Tuchel, already have two very good goalkeepers fighting for the starting spot at Stamford Bridge in Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga, and the 17-year-old is currently featuring for their U18s.
That, however, didn’t stop Vahid Halilhodzic from calling Tlemcani up to the Morocco squad for the current international break, surprising many in the process.
Now with the national team for the first time, the Chelsea youngster gave an interview, relayed by Lions de L’Atlas, where he was asked about the whole situation.
He said: “It’s a great pride, a first call-up at 17! My family are proud, and my mother is proud. I can only feel pride around me. They’re all happy for me and my choice of Morocco compared to France or Algeria”.
While he probably won’t play, it will be a great experience for him, and he’s already set himself a goal of ‘playing a game as soon as possible’.
He added: “There are great players who are playing at the highest level. The Premier League, Ligue 1… I’m learning! I’m here to learn and they’ve all been really nice with me. Very nice, I’m like everyone’s little brother. It’s quite cool”.
Once called up for France’s U16s, Tlemcani made the switch to Morocco at U17 level, which has paid off, since he’s now with their first-team.
