Clifford call-up just rewards for Palmerstown native

Chelsea midfielder Conor Clifford has been called into the Ireland squad for Friday night’s clash with Germany amid a growing injury crisis for Giovanni Trappatoni.

The Palmerstown native, who has just turned 21, has been recently on loan at cash-strapped Portsmouth, having excelled at Plymouth, Notts County, and Yeovil in previous loans away from Stamford Bridge.

While he is yet to make a first team appearance for Roman Abramovich’s big spenders, Clifford has been an impressive part of Chelsea’s Youth and Reserve squads over the past few years. He famously scored a late winner in the 2010 FA Youth Cup Final for the Blues in front of 10,000 at Stamford Bridge.

After being capped at international level all the way up to U21, Clifford was previously called into the senior squad for a friendly against Croatia in August 2010, but was an unused substitute. He joins up with the squad in Malahide today as they continue their preparations for the visit of Joachim Loew's superstars. 

Following spells with schoolboy royalty Cherry Orchard and Crumlin United in Dublin, Clifford was snapped up by Chelsea in 2007. A powerful and combative midfielder with an impressive range of passing, Clifford has been likened to a ‘mix of Keane and Scholes’. Peter Reid, who managed Clifford at Plymouth, was struck by the maturity of the then 19 year-old when he was on loan at Home Park for a short spell:  "I've got to say, he's been a breath of fresh air. He's enthusiastic, presses the ball, and has been our leader for such a young man while our captain has been out injured; a tremendous character." Reid remarked.

Whether Clifford will make his senior debut for Ireland on Friday remains to be seen, but with Glenn Whelan out, and Trap possibly opting for a three-man midfield, he may very well be biting at Bastien Schweinsteiger’s heels come Friday evening.