Academy midfielder Ollie Harrison has returned to Cobham after representing England Under-18s during his time away on international duty and reflected on what he learned and how that experience will help him continue to progress.

The Chelsea Academy had 28 players called up for international duty this month, representing countries including Sweden, Portugal, the USA, Poland and England.

Harrison, who plays the majority of his club football for Hassan Sulaiman's Under-18s squad, returned to Cobham this week after representing England in three friendly fixtures in France, facing Portugal, Switzerland and the hosts at Under-18 level.

The 17-year-old offered insight into his experience, explaining how it helped him grow both on and off the pitch during the international break.

'I always enjoy my time with England,' smiled Harrison. 'It was a great learning experience and a good few days.

'We played in a friendly tournament, which was a good opportunity because it allowed us to see how the squad gelled together and gave us the experience of playing against other nations, which we haven’t done in a while.

'One of my favourite parts of playing for England is competing against different countries and teaming up with players from other clubs. I get to play alongside top players from various backgrounds and it’s a great experience.'

Of course, there is also plenty of hard work involved in what can be a gruelling trip to represent the national team, and the England youth international discussed some of the challenges he faced during his time away.

'We played three matches in one week, so the time away was intense. But it’s good because it keeps the momentum going and gives you a taste of the senior game, where you might have midweek fixtures along with weekend games.

'Playing against other countries is always a big challenge because every nation has its own style of play. Right now, we’re going up against some of the top players, so the competition is tough, but playing against the best only pushes you to work harder and improve.

'Playing for England is a bit different from playing for Chelsea, where I know how everyone in the squad plays. That’s the hardest part, you need to bond quickly with the England squad if you want to perform at your best.

'The experience also gives you a chance to improve your game and provides insight into what my future could look like.'

Reflecting on the shift from international duty back to Under-18s action with Chelsea, Harrison highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong mentality and taking care of himself physically and mentally.

'Playing against the best of the best only increases the competition and pushes you to go further. It forces you to adapt and elevate your game,' he explained.

'International breaks are a huge mental and physical test. The intensity of playing multiple games in a short period really challenges your focus and determination to keep going under pressure.

'You have to be mentally strong to quickly bond with new team-mates and learn their playing styles, especially when you’re in a national squad where you don’t play together regularly. Building that chemistry quickly is key for the team to perform well.

'Confidence is essential at this level and the international experience gives me more of it. It’s helped shape my mentality and character both on and off the pitch.'

With a strong mindset needed to keep pushing boundaries, Harrison emphasised the importance of recovery as he prepares to return to Under-18 Premier League action next week.

'After a week of traveling and playing back-to-back games, it can be tough to come back to training and switch your focus back to league action.

'During this time, I’ve learned that you just need to stay focused and make sure to rest well when you can, so you’re fully recovered and ready to go both mentally and physically.

'I’m looking forward to getting back to Under-18s action and continuing to work hard as we fight for positive results.'