Ryan Bertrand is hoping that a run of good performances for Chelsea will see Roy Hodgson award him more senior England games in the future.
The full-back only broke into the Blues' first team at the end of last season, making his European debut in the Champions League final triumph over Bayern Munich, but has enjoyed a run in the side at the start of this campaign, scoring in the Community Shield defeat and also starting against Wigan in the opening game of the Premier League.
The 23-year-old received his first senior England call-up for the friendly match against Italy, replacing Leighton Baines in the second half, after featuring in Team GB's progression to the quarter-finals of the Olympic Games, and Bertrand is eagerly anticipating any more opportunities that come his way.
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The Chelsea midfielder, already 34, could yet feature for England in Brazil |
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The defender told reporters: "It was a fantastic experience for me to go to the Olympics and be part of the fantastic occasion that it was. It was that next step in international football.
"I managed to get on the pitch for 15 minutes the other night in the senior England team so I just have to concentrate on my club football and hopefully that will come with it."
Roberto Di Matteo's side has been strengthened with a number of big-money signings over the summer, including Belgian attacker Eden Hazard from Lille and Brazilian playmaker Oscar from Internacional, who both made their debuts in the 2-0 victory over the Latics.
And Bertrand was delighted to play the whole game, especially when the manager has such big names at his disposal.
"It's good to get back out there again and thankfully we managed to get the three points as well," he added.
"We started off really well, the anticipation had built up and we just couldn't wait to get out there, and we managed to win the game there and then.
"For me personally it was great to get that start. I said at the start of the season that I wanted to increase the amount of games I played from last season so it's really positive.
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"With the big-money signings there have been, to retain my place is great for me. I really appreciate it and we managed to repay the manager with a win."
Chelsea's next clash is against newly promoted Reading, with whom Bertrand spent the 2009-10 season on loan.
And Bertrand spoke of the "fond memories" of his time at the Madejski Stadium, though insisting that sentiment would not be a problem on Wednesday, stating: "They'll be a tough team to play against but obviously we'll be at home so we really want to start off with another three points.
"It was a fantastic time for me there, the manager, the players and the fans were really good to me, I have really fond memories of the club."
