Chelsea duo Fikayo Tomori and Jake Clarke-Salter in demand after England's U20s World Cup win

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Simon Johnson12 June 2017

The scramble to sign Chelsea duo Fikayo Tomori and Jake Clarke-Salter on loan for next season will be even more intense following their remarkable World Cup win with the England Under-20 side.

There were already a number of admirers for the defenders before a ball was even kicked in South Korea, but now they have the biggest prize in youth international football to add to their growing CVs.

Not everything went smoothly for the pair over the last three weeks. For example, Tomori scored an own goal in England's second group game against Guinea.

Clarke-Salter, who was left on the bench for three of the seven games, conceded a controversial penalty during Sunday's final. Fortunately, keeper Freddie Woodman saved the ensuing spot kick to secure a 1-0 triumph over Venezuela.

However, they crucially showed the character to respond to their respective setbacks and now Chelsea have to decide what to do next with the prized assets.

The club have high hopes having worked with Tomori and Clarke-Salter since they joined the Academy at Under-8s and Under-9s level respectively.

Tomori, who played in every round of the Under-20 tournament where England conceded just three times, is ahead in his development.

At the moment, Standard Sport understands the plan is to send him to a top Championship club next term or even an outfit in the Bundesliga, Ligue 1 or La Liga.

AFP/Getty Images

The 19-year-old went to Brighton in January and made 10 appearances for Chris Hughton's side on the way to them winning promotion to the Premier League.

While Tomori wasn't a first-team regular, he made a very good impression. Significantly, Hughton liked Tomori's attitude and work in training sessions so much, the Brighton coach became convinced that he will become a senior England international one day.

It was only 13 months ago that Tomori was actually playing against, and helping beat, the England Under-20 side.

He played for Canada, the country of his birth, in a 2-1 win, keeping highly-rated Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford quiet.

It was that performance that caught England's attention and having lived here for so long, it was possible to bring him into the Under-19 set-up.

By July 2016, he was being named in the team of the tournament at the Under-19 European Championships, the only England player to make the list.

This honour came shortly after making his professional debut for Chelsea against Leicester. Then in August he was handed a new four-year contract at Stamford Bridge.

Competition for Tomori's signature won't just be restricted to club level. England, who have already lost out to Ivory Coast for Wilfred Zaha, still face the threat of Nigeria making an approach.

AFP/Getty Images

His parents are Nigerian and until the defender plays for the main England side in a competitive game, Tomori can change allegiance again.

Meanwhile, Clarke-Salter has the backing of former captain John Terry, no less, to make it all the way to the top at Chelsea in the future.

As he remarked last year: “Jake has a great attitude. I remember watching him a couple of years ago being in control of the game and a really vocal player. He reminds me a bit of myself."

The 19-year-old has earned comparisons to how Terry performed in his youth due to fine positional play and comfort on the ball.

A fractured elbow last November restricted Clarke-Salter to just 13 appearances for League One side Bristol Rovers during a season-long loan.

Still, he was able to return in time to prove his fitness and make the England Under-20 squad. A switch to a Championship side is most likely for Clarke-Salter in 2017-18 now.

Everyone knows the pathway to Chelsea's first team is tough for any youngster, but after helping end England's long wait for a World Cup at any level, clearly these two are capable of bucking the trend.

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