{{Short description|English footballer (born 1994)}} {{Use British English|date=January 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Nathaniel Chalobah | image = Nathaniel Chalobah 20160810.jpg | caption = Chalobah training with Chelsea in 2016 | full_name = Nathaniel Nyakie Chalobah<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/202021/efl-squad-numbering-11.09.2020.pdf |title=Notification of shirt numbers: Watford |publisher=English Football League |page=73 |access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|12|12|df=y}}<ref>{{Hugman|22548|access-date=5 December 2017}}</ref> | birth_place = Freetown, Sierra Leone | height = | position = Defensive midfielder | currentclub = Sheffield Wednesday | clubnumber = 14 | youthyears1 = 2004–2005 | youthclubs1 = Fulham | youthyears2 = 2005–2012 | youthclubs2 = Chelsea | years1 = 2012–2017 | clubs1 = Chelsea | caps1 = 10 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2012–2013 | clubs2 = → Watford (loan) | caps2 = 38 | goals2 = 5 | years3 = 2013–2014 | clubs3 = → Nottingham Forest (loan) | caps3 = 12 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2014 | clubs4 = → Middlesbrough (loan) | caps4 = 19 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2014–2015 | clubs5 = → Burnley (loan) | caps5 = 4 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2015 | clubs6 = → Reading (loan) | caps6 = 15 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2015–2016 | clubs7 = → Napoli (loan) | caps7 = 5 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2017–2021 | clubs8 = Watford | caps8 = 75 | goals8 = 3 | years9 = 2021–2023 | clubs9 = Fulham | caps9 = 24 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 2023–2024 | clubs10 = West Bromwich Albion | caps10 = 46 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2024–2026 | clubs11 = Sheffield Wednesday | caps11 = 29 | goals11 = 2 | nationalyears1 = 2008–2009 | nationalteam1 = England U16 | nationalcaps1 = 6 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2009–2011 | nationalteam2 = England U17 | nationalcaps2 = 34 | nationalgoals2 = 1 | nationalyears3 = 2011–2012 | nationalteam3 = England U19 | nationalcaps3 = 13 | nationalgoals3 = 2 | nationalyears4 = 2014 | nationalteam4 = England U20 | nationalcaps4 = 4 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2012–2017 | nationalteam5 = England U21 | nationalcaps5 = 40 | nationalgoals5 = 1 | nationalyears6 = 2018 | nationalteam6 = England | nationalcaps6 = 1 | nationalgoals6 = 0 | club-update = 13:40, 2 May 2026 (UTC) | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Sport|Men's football}} {{Medal|Country|{{fb|ENG}}}} {{Medal|Comp|UEFA European Under-17 Championship}} {{Medal|W|2010 Liechtenstein|}} }} '''Nathaniel Nyakie Chalobah''' (born 12 December 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for {{English football updater|SheffieW}} club Sheffield Wednesday. Born in Sierra Leone, he represented the England national team. He will become a free agent on 30 June 2026.
==Club career== ===Chelsea=== After initially joining the academy system at Fulham, Chalobah moved to the Chelsea academy at the age of 10.<ref name="independent.co.uk">{{cite web |author=Sam Wallace |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/chelsea-youngster-nathaniel-chalobah-hoping-to-be-part-of-jose-mourinhos-own-class-of-92-10341930.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/international/chelsea-youngster-nathaniel-chalobah-hoping-to-be-part-of-jose-mourinhos-own-class-of-92-10341930.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Chelsea youngster Nathaniel Chalobah hoping to be part of Jose Mourinho's own 'Class of 92' |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=24 June 2014 |access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> During the 2010–11 season, he featured for Chelsea reserves while still a schoolboy, winning the national championship with the team that season.<ref name=ChelseaProfile>[http://www.chelseafc.com/chelsea-article/article/900396/title/nathaniel-chalobah "Nathaniel Chalobah"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121205051455/http://www.chelseafc.com/chelsea-article/article/900396/title/nathaniel-chalobah |date=5 December 2012 }}. Chelsea F.C. Retrieved 18 September 2012.</ref> In 2011–12, Chalobah regularly captained both Chelsea's reserve and youth teams, and led the 2012 FA Youth Cup winning team.<ref name=ChelseaProfile/> He signed a professional contract with Chelsea in January 2012 shortly after turning 17, lasting until summer 2014.<ref name=ChelseaProfile/> He was an unused substitute for the Chelsea first-team at the age of 15, in their League Cup clash against Newcastle<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_cup/9010051.stm |title=MATCH REPORT: Chelsea 3–4 Newcastle |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=18 September 2012 |date=18 September 2012 |first=Phil |last=Dawkes}}</ref> and travelled with them to the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final at the Allianz Arena, which Chelsea won.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haslam |first=Andrew |date=18 May 2012 |title=Munich anticipating spectacular final |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/01fd-0e7e391b490c-5c9ca2d0539d-1000--munich-anticipating-spectacular-final/ |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=UEFA.com |language=en}}</ref> On 30 August 2013, Chalobah signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea, stating that he wished to stay at Chelsea for his entire career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3442516/title/chalobah-signs-until-2018 |title=Chalobah signs until 2018 |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |date=30 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130901213110/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3442516/title/chalobah-signs-until-2018 |archive-date=1 September 2013}}</ref>
====Loan to Watford==== Chalobah signed on loan for Championship club Watford on 31 August 2012 until January 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/120831-chalobah-signs-345444.aspx |title=Official: Chelsea's Chalobah Signs |publisher=Watford F.C. |access-date=3 September 2012 |date=31 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227021107/http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/120831-chalobah-signs-345444.aspx |archive-date=27 February 2013}}</ref> He made his first-team debut for the club on 18 September 2012 against Brighton & Hove Albion, coming on as a 73rd-minute substitute for Fernando Forestieri.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/120918-brighton-report-374952.aspx |title=MATCH REPORT: Watford 0–1 Brighton |publisher=Watford F.C |access-date=18 September 2012 |date=18 September 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014181642/http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/120918-brighton-report-374952.aspx |archive-date=14 October 2012}}</ref> He later made his first start, lasting the full 90 minutes in Watford's 2–2 draw with Bristol City on 23 September.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17661490 |title=Brighton 2–2 Watford |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 April 2012 |access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> On 17 November, Chalobah scored his first goal for Watford in a 2–1 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20278320 |title=Watford 2–1 Wolves |publisher=BBC Sport |date=17 November 2012 |access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> He scored his second goal for Watford in a 1–1 draw against Burnley, on 15 December, with a fine volley from the edge of the box.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20650396 |title=Burnley 1–1 Watford |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 December 2012 |access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref>
On 2 January 2013, Chalobah extended his loan at Watford until the end of the 2012–13 season. In April, he scored with a 35-yard shot<ref>{{cite news |last1=Jurejko |first1=Jonathan |title=Leicester 1-2 Watford |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/22211936 |access-date=24 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 April 2013}}</ref> that Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said he never saw; Watford won 2–1.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Culley |first1=Jeremy |title=Leicester City 1 Watford 2 match report: Nathaniel Chalobah thunderbolt keeps Gianfranco Zola's automatic promotion dream alive |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leicester-city-1-watford-2-match-report-nathaniel-chalobah-thunderbolt-keeps-gianfranco-zola-s-8590762.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/leicester-city-1-watford-2-match-report-nathaniel-chalobah-thunderbolt-keeps-gianfranco-zola-s-8590762.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=24 September 2020 |work=The Independent |date=27 April 2013}}</ref>
Chalobah played for Watford as they reached the 2013 Championship play-off final, in which they were defeated 1–0 by Crystal Palace.<ref name=sb1213/>
====Loan to Nottingham Forest==== On 19 September 2013 Chalobah signed a loan deal with Nottingham Forest until 15 January 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3464334/title/chalobah-loaned-to-forest |title=Chalobah loaned to Forest |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |date=20 September 2013 |access-date=20 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921041226/http://www.chelseafc.com/news-article/article/3464334/title/chalobah-loaned-to-forest |archive-date=21 September 2013}}</ref> Manager Billy Davies remarked upon his arrival, "He's a tremendous young talent."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/news/article/chalobah-a-tremendous-talent-1066388.aspx |title=Chalobah 'A Tremendous Talent' |date=20 September 2013 |publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C. |access-date=30 August 2014}}</ref> Chalobah made his debut from the start in Forest's trip to Doncaster Rovers on 21 September 2013.<ref name=sb1314/> On 5 October 2013, Chalobah was sent off after a second booking in the 67th minute after already picking up a yellow in the first half during the away match against Brighton & Hove Albion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2013-10-04 |title=Brighton & Hove Albion 1-3 Nottingham Forest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24349274 |access-date=2025-04-29 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> Though Forest were down to 10 men, they saw out a 3–1 victory.<ref name=sb1314/> Chalobah scored his first Forest goal in a 3–1 defeat away to Yeovil Town on 26 October 2013.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24590303 |title=Yeovil Town 3–1 Nottingham Forest |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 October 2013 |access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref>
====Loan to Middlesbrough==== On 16 January 2014, Chalobah joined Middlesbrough on loan for the remainder of the 2013–14 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=Boro sign Nathaniel |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~3624050,00.html |publisher=Middlesbrough F.C. |date=16 January 2014 |access-date=16 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140117135512/http://www.mfc.co.uk/page/news/latest/0,,1~3624050,00.html |archive-date=17 January 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On 25 January 2014, Chalobah made his debut against Leicester City, coming off the bench in the 77th minute to replace Emmanuel Ledesma.<ref name=sb1314/> The match ended in a 2–0 loss for Middlesbrough.<ref name=sb1314/> Chalobah made his first start on 1 February 2014, in a match against Doncaster Rovers which ended in a 0–0 draw.<ref name=sb1314/> On 5 April 2014, Chalobah scored his first Boro goal in a 1–0 win at home to Derby County.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/middlesbrough/result/result-chalobah-strike-gives-boro-win_148252.html |title=Result: Nathaniel Chalobah strike gives Middlesbrough win |date=5 April 2014 |publisher=Sports Mole |access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref>
====Loan to Burnley==== On 1 September 2014, Chalobah joined Premier League newcomers Burnley on loan from Chelsea until 2 January 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2014/08/burnley-loan-for-chalobah.html |title=Burnley loan for Chalobah |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |date=1 September 2014 |access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> On 28 September 2014, Chalobah made his debut as a first-half substitute against West Bromwich Albion, although he could not prevent Burnley from losing 4–0.<ref name=sb1314/> On 30 September, Chalobah suffered an injury after being hit with an elbow in the throat in a Burnley U21s match, which caused a cartilage to fracture.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theprideoflondon.com/2014/10/24/nathaniel-chalobah-fully-recovered-throat-injury/ |title=Nathaniel Chalobah Fully Recovered From Throat Injury |date=30 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/9/30/6875537/report-nathaniel-chalobah-burnley-injury-hospital |title=Report: Nathaniel Chalobah taken to hospital with apparent throat injury |date=30 September 2014}}</ref> Chalobah returned to the pitch for the first team on 18 October 2014 against West Ham United.<ref name=sb1314/> On 1 November 2014, Chalobah played his last match for Burnley against Arsenal, which ended in a 3–0 loss.<ref name=sb1314/>
Chalobah was unable to break into the first team at Burnley and returned to Chelsea when the loan ended on 2 January 2015. During his time with Burnley, Chalobah only made four substitute appearances.<ref name="reading">{{cite news |title=Nathaniel Chalobah: Reading sign Chelsea youngster on loan |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/30941780 |access-date=24 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=22 January 2015}}</ref>
====Loan to Reading==== On 22 January 2015, Chalobah joined Championship club Reading on loan for the remainder of the season.<ref name="reading"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/01/new-loan-for-chalobah-.html |title=New loan for Chalobah |publisher=Chelsea F.C. |date=22 January 2015}}</ref> On 24 January 2015, Chalobah made his debut in a FA Cup match against Cardiff City, as the team won 2–1 to advance into the fifth round.<ref name=sb1415/> Three days later, Chalobah made his league debut against Millwall.<ref name=sb1415/>
On 31 January 2015, in his home debut, Chalobah scored the second of a 2–0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday, helping the Royals to their first league win since December.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30962939 |title=Reading 2–0 Sheffield Wednesday |work=BBC Sport |date=31 January 2015}}</ref> During his time with Reading, Chalobah made a total of 20 appearances and started in every appearance.<ref name=sb1415/>
====Loan to Napoli==== On 1 September 2015, Italian club Napoli confirmed that Chalobah had joined the club on a season long loan from Chelsea.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The footballer of Sierra Leone arrives on loan from Chelsea |url=http://sscnapoli.it/static/news/Il-Napoli-ufficializza-l-ingaggio-di-Chalobah-5969.aspx |publisher=Napoli S.S.C. |date=1 September 2015 |access-date=1 September 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150903004420/http://sscnapoli.it/static/news/Il-Napoli-ufficializza-l-ingaggio-di-Chalobah-5969.aspx |archive-date=3 September 2015}}</ref> On 1 October 2015, Chalobah made his Napoli debut in a UEFA Europa League tie against Legia Warsaw.<ref name=Soccerway/> The fixture resulted in a 2–0 victory for the Italian team, with Chalobah featuring for five minutes after replacing Allan.<ref name=Soccerway/> On 26 November 2015, Chalobah was given his first Napoli start in a 1–0 victory over Club Brugge in the UEFA Europa League group stage tie.<ref name=Soccerway/> On 10 December 2015, Chalobah scored his first Napoli goal in a 5–2 win over Legia Warsaw, scoring Napoli's first.<ref name=Soccerway/> On 6 January 2016, Chalobah finally made his Serie A debut in a 2–1 victory against Torino, replacing Marek Hamšík in the 89th minute.<ref name=Soccerway/>
Chalobah went on to make four more league appearances for Napoli before returning to Chelsea at the end of the campaign.<ref name=Soccerway/>
====2016–17 season==== In the summer of 2016, Chelsea rejected loan offers for Chalobah after new manager Antonio Conte had been impressed with Chalobah in pre-season, deciding that he should remain as part of Chelsea's first-team group.<ref>{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Pitt-Brooke |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/chelsea-transfer-news-antonio-conte-turned-down-leicester-loan-move-for-nathaniel-chalobah-last-a7230591.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/chelsea-transfer-news-antonio-conte-turned-down-leicester-loan-move-for-nathaniel-chalobah-last-a7230591.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Chelsea transfer news: Antonio Conte turned down Leicester loan move for Nathaniel Chalobah last month |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=7 September 2016 |access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> Chalobah made his first-team debut on 20 September 2016, when he came off the bench to replace Michy Batshuayi in the 79th minute of a 4–2 win over Leicester City to advance to the Fourth round of the EFL Cup.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.us/report?gameId=466015 |title=Cesc Fabregas hits two in extra-time as Chelsea advance past Leicester |date=20 September 2016 |work=ESPN FC}}</ref> On 15 October 2016, on his second league appearance for Chelsea, Chalobah provided a back-heel pass to play Victor Moses through for the third goal in a 3–0 victory over Leicester City.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2016/10/match-report.html |title=Match report: Chelsea 3 Leicester City 0 |date=15 October 2016 |publisher=Chelsea F.C.}}</ref>
===Return to Watford=== On 13 July 2017, Chalobah signed for Premier League club Watford on a five-year contract for an undisclosed fee.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40603257 |title=Nathaniel Chalobah: Watford sign midfielder from Chelsea on five-year deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 July 2017 |access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> On 26 September 2017, Chalobah was reported to have suffered a knee injury in a training session and was expected to have surgery.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41405416 |title=Nathaniel Chalobah: Watford midfielder needs knee surgery |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 September 2017 |access-date=26 September 2017}}</ref>
===Fulham=== On the last day of the 2021 summer transfer window, Chalobah joined recently relegated Championship side Fulham on a free transfer, keeping him until 2023 with an option to extend by a further year and was once again reunited with manager Marco Silva.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/august/Fulham-Sign-Chalobah/|title=FULHAM SIGN CHALOBAH|website=Fulham F.C.|date=1 September 2021|access-date=10 April 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831234935/https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2021/august/Fulham-Sign-Chalobah/|archive-date=31 August 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> He made his debut for the club, playing the whole game, in a 4–1 win against Birmingham City on 15 September 2021.<ref>{{cite news|title=Birmingham City 1–4 Fulham|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58483586|website=BBC Sport|date=15 September 2021|access-date=10 April 2022}}</ref>
===West Bromwich Albion=== On 31 January 2023, Chalobah returned to the Championship with West Bromwich Albion, signing an eighteen-month contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wba.co.uk/news/albion-sign-nathaniel-chalobah-fulham|title=Albion sign Nathaniel Chalobah from Fulham|website=www.wba.co.uk|date=31 January 2023|accessdate=31 January 2023}}</ref> On 7 January 2024, Chalobah scored his first goal for the club in a 4-1 home win against Aldershot Town in a FA Cup third round game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67903559|title= West Bromwich Albion 4-1 Aldershot Town|publisher=BBC Sport|date=7 January 2024|accessdate=11 February 2024}}</ref> On 22 May 2024, the club announced he would be leaving in the summer when his contract expired.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-22 |title=West Bromwich Albion: Matt Phillips among seven to leave Baggies |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cxeeynxlzelo |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
===Sheffield Wednesday=== On 13 July 2024, Chalobah joined Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer.<ref>{{cite news |title=Nathaniel Chalobah signs for Wednesday|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2024/july/13/nathaniel-chalobah-signs-for-wednesday/|access-date=13 July 2024 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |date=13 July 2024}}</ref> He made his debut in the EFL Cup on 27 August, starting in the 5–1 victory against Grimsby Town.<ref>{{cite news |title=Grimsby 1-5 Wednesday|url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/27/report--grimsby-1-0-wednesday/|access-date=28 August 2024 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |date=28 August 2024}}</ref> His first league appearance came against Derby County on 1 December 2024 when he came on as a 70th minute substitute.<ref>{{cite news |title=Derby 1–2 Sheffield Wednesday|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c4gm1g2e4gvt|access-date=1 December 2024 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |date=1 December 2024}}</ref> He scored his first goal for ''Wednesday'' on the opening day of the 2025–26 season, before having to come off injured a few minutes later.<ref>{{cite news|title=Leicester City 2–1 Sheffield Wednesday|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx2p50v03y2t|access-date=10 August 2025|publisher=BBC|date=10 August 2025}}</ref> At the end of the 2025–26 season, it was confirmed that he would be leaving at the end of his contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=Owls confirm retained list |url=https://www.swfc.co.uk/news/2026/may/16/owls-confirm-retained-list/|access-date=16 May 2026 |publisher=Sheffield Wednesday FC |date=16 May 2026}}</ref>
==International career== [[File:Nathaniel Chalobah (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Chalobah playing for England under-19s in 2012]]
Chalobah made his England under-16 debut at the age of 13 in October 2008, and his England under-17 debut aged 14 in July 2009. He won the 2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and later captaining the team at the age of 15. Chalobah made his England under-19 debut in September 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/C/Nathaniel-Chalobah |title=Nathaniel Chalobah |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=18 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130902003243/http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/C/Nathaniel-Chalobah |archive-date=2 September 2013}}</ref> and went on to captain them.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU19pg2.html |title=Match results Under 19 2010–2019 |website=England Football Online |publisher=Chris Goodwin & Glen Isherwood |date=22 June 2021 |access-date=30 July 2023}}</ref> He was called up to the England under-21 squad for a match against Northern Ireland on 13 November 2012, and made his debut at that level replacing Jordan Henderson in the 76th minute.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-under-21s/News/match-centre/2012/england-v-northern-ireland |title=England 2–0 Northern Ireland |first=Jamie |last=Bradbury |publisher=The Football Association |date=13 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130331030721/http://www.thefa.com/England/mens-under-21s/News/match-centre/2012/england-v-northern-ireland |archive-date=31 March 2013}}</ref>
Chalobah was also eligible to play for Sierra Leone, the country where he was born, but has stated that he has a strong affiliation to England, the country of his upbringing.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/>
In August 2017, Chalobah was named in the England squad for the first time for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Malta and Slovakia.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/29/nathaniel-chalobah-england-benefit-leaving-chelsea |title=Nathaniel Chalobah's England call-up shows benefit of leaving Chelsea |date=29 August 2017 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |access-date=30 August 2017}}</ref> He made his debut on 15 October 2018 as a substitute for Harry Winks in the first minute of stoppage time in England's 3–2 win away to Spain in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League A, with the competitive status of the fixture tying him to England permanently from then on.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/45780621 |title=Spain 2–3 England |first=Phil |last=McNulty |publisher=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2018 |access-date=15 October 2018}}</ref> As he came on in added time for his only England cap, Chalobah officially has an England career of zero minutes, but in actual time he played for 6 minutes and 54 seconds. This is one second more than Martin Kelly, who holds the record for shortest England career in actual time played.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ouzia |first1=Malik |title=England football quiz: The answers explained |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/england-football-quiz-the-answers-explained-a4284311.html |access-date=28 November 2019 |work=Evening Standard |date=14 November 2019|quote=[Chalobah] won his only cap to date as a stoppage time substitute in the 3–2 win over Spain in 2018, and so officially has zero minutes to his name. His actual playing time, however, was 6 minutes and 54 seconds, one second longer than Kelly managed in his sole England appearance, in 2012.}}</ref>
==Style of play== Chalobah is known for his versatility, work-rate, and fitness levels, both in defending and attacking sense. He is described as, "Tall, athletic and can operate in either midfield or defence, being notably quick in the tackle."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/All-Teams/Players/C/Nathaniel-Chalobah |title=Nathaniel Chalobah |publisher=The Football Association |access-date=3 September 2012 |date=31 August 2012}}</ref>
==Personal life== Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Chalobah moved to England at the age of seven and grew up in Gipsy Hill in the London Borough of Lambeth.<ref name="independent.co.uk"/> He played football for the first time at the age of nine.<ref>{{cite news |last=Magowan |first=Alistair |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35054310 |title=Football talent spotting: Are clubs getting it wrong with kids? |publisher=BBC Sport |date=22 December 2015 |access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> Chalobah attended St Andrews R.C. Primary school and further studied at Bishop Thomas Grant School in Streatham, South London.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tes.co.uk/Upload/Attachments/TES/3071793/NuntiusJuly%202011.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140107050021/http://www.tes.co.uk/Upload/Attachments/TES/3071793/NuntiusJuly%202011.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 January 2014 |title=News Magazine of Bishop Thomas Grant School |date=1 March 2013 |publisher=Bishop Thomas Grant School}}</ref> His younger brother Trevoh joined Chelsea as an Under–9 and has been capped by England up to senior level.
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|end of 2025–26 season}}
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Coppa Italia}} !colspan=2|League Cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}} !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=8|Chelsea |2010–11<ref name=sb1011>{{soccerbase season|57093|2010|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2011–12<ref name=sb1112>{{soccerbase season|57093|2011|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- |2012–13<ref name=sb1213/> |Premier League |0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||0||0 |- |2013–14<ref name=sb1314>{{soccerbase season|57093|2013|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- |2014–15<ref name=sb1415>{{soccerbase season|57093|2014|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0 |- |2015–16<ref name=sb1516>{{soccerbase season|57093|2015|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> |Premier League |0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||0||0||0||0 |- |2016–17<ref name=sb1617>{{soccerbase season|57093|2016|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> |Premier League |10||0||3||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||15||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !10||0||3||0||2||0||0||0||0||0||15||0 |- |Watford (loan) |2012–13<ref name=sb1213>{{soccerbase season|57093|2012|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> |Championship |38||5||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|Appearances in Championship play-offs}}||0||42||5 |- |Nottingham Forest (loan) |2013–14<ref name=sb1314/> |Championship |12||2||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||12||2 |- |Middlesbrough (loan) |2013–14<ref name=sb1314/> |Championship |19||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||19||1 |- |Burnley (loan) |2014–15<ref name=sb1415/> |Premier League |4||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||4||0 |- |Reading (loan) |2014–15<ref name=sb1415/> |Championship |15||1||5||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||20||1 |- |Napoli (loan) |2015–16<ref name=Soccerway>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/nathaniel-chalobah/155131/ |title=N. Chalobah: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=3 September 2018}}</ref> |Serie A |5||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||1||colspan=2|—||9||1 |- |rowspan=5|Watford |2017–18<ref name=sb1718>{{soccerbase season|57093|2017|access-date=3 September 2018}}</ref> |Premier League |6||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||6||0 |- |2018–19<ref name=sb1819>{{soccerbase season|57093|2018|access-date=19 January 2019}}</ref> |Premier League |9||0||2||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||13||0 |- |2019–20<ref name=sb1920>{{soccerbase season|57093|2019|access-date=25 September 2019}}</ref> |Premier League |22||0||1||1||3||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||26||1 |- |2020–21<ref name="sb2223">{{soccerbase season|57093|2020|access-date=13 September 2020}}</ref> |Championship |38||3||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||40||3 |- !colspan=2|Total !75||3||4||1||6||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||85||4 |- |rowspan=3|Fulham |2021–22<ref name=sb202122>{{soccerbase season|57093|2021|access-date=31 August 2021}}</ref> |Championship |20||0||2||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||22||0 |- |2022–23<ref name=sb2223/> |Premier League |4||0||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||6||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !24||0||3||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||28||0 |- |rowspan=3|West Bromwich Albion |2022–23<ref name=sb2223/> |Championship |13||0||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||13||0 |- |2023–24<ref>{{soccerbase season|57093|2023|access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref> |Championship |33||0||2||1||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||36||1 |- !colspan=2|Total !46||0||2||1||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||49||1 |- |rowspan=3|Sheffield Wednesday |2024–25<ref>{{soccerbase season|57093|2024|access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref> |Championship |16||0||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||18||0 |- |2025–26<ref>{{soccerbase season|57093|2025|access-date=6 August 2022}}</ref> |Championship |13||2||0||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||13||2 |- !colspan=2|Total !29||2||1||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||31||2 |- !colspan=3|Career total !277||14||20||2||11||0||3||1||3||0||314||17 |}
{{notelist}}
===International=== {| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT player |id=72262 |name=Chalobah, Nathaniel |accessdate=19 January 2019}}</ref> |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |England |2018||1||0 |- !colspan=2|Total||1||0 |}
==Honours== '''Chelsea''' *Premier League: 2016–17<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/4105/Nathaniel-Chalobah/overview |title=Nathaniel Chalobah: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=17 December 2017}}</ref>
'''Fulham''' *EFL Championship: 2021–22<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1849 |title=Championship: 2021/22: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=8 May 2022}}<br />{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1055&teamTabs=stats&season_id=154 |title=Fulham: Squad details: 2021/22 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=8 May 2022}}</ref>
'''England U17''' *UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2010<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/news/0252-0ce02964663d-cf3ea0d0e30f-1000--coady-s-guide-to-england-s-champions/ |title=Coady's guide to England's champions |publisher=UEFA |date=30 May 2010 |access-date=17 December 2017}}</ref>
'''England U21''' *Toulon Tournament: 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/news/2016/may/29/france-toulon-final-report-280516 |title=England under-21s lift Toulon title after win over France |first=Nicholas |last=Veevers |publisher=The Football Association |date=29 May 2016 |access-date=17 December 2017}}</ref>
'''Individual''' *England Men's Youth Player of the Year: 2012<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/News/2013/feb/mens-youth-england-c-award-030213.aspx |title=Chalobah lands award |publisher=The Football Association |date=3 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007040739/http://www.thefa.com/News/2013/feb/mens-youth-england-c-award-030213.aspx |archive-date=7 October 2014}}</ref> *Football League Young Player of the Month: May 2013<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22645537 |title=Watford's Nathaniel Chalobah wins Young Player of the Month |first=Chris |last=Osborne |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2013 |access-date=2 October 2016}}</ref>
==See also== *List of England international footballers born outside England
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.wba.co.uk/player/261 Profile] at the West Bromwich Albion F.C. website *{{UEFA player}} *{{FIFA player}}
{{Sheffield Wednesday F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chalobah, Nathaniel}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Freetown Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Fulham F.C. players Category:Chelsea F.C. players Category:Watford F.C. players Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. players Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players Category:Burnley F.C. players Category:Reading F.C. players Category:SSC Napoli players Category:West Bromwich Albion F.C. players Category:Sheffield Wednesday F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Premier League players Category:Serie A players Category:England men's youth international footballers Category:England men's under-21 international footballers Category:England men's international footballers Category:English expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy Category:English expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:Black British sportsmen Category:21st-century Black British people Category:English people of Sierra Leonean descent Category:Sportspeople of Sierra Leonean descent Category:Sierra Leonean emigrants to the United Kingdom Category:21st-century English sportsmen