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ISRAEL v ENGLAND - KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU: SAHAR
A player Jose Mourinho will elevate to his first-team squad next season is hoping for the chance to gun down's England's Euro 2008 dreams.
Israeli and Chelsea striker Ben Sahar is hoping to make his competitive international debut against Steve McClaren's side in Tel Aviv where, if selected, he will go head-to-head with Blues and England captain John Terry.
If Sahar gets the nod it will cap a remarkable season for the 17-year-old striker, who is highly rated by Chelsea boss Mourinho.
Sahar has just one full international to his name so far - a friendly appearance against Ukraine - as well as just two appearances for the Under 21s this season.
But his chances of playing against England have increased after Yaniv Katan withdrew with a cracked rib and a suspension for leading campaign scorer Roberto Colautti.
Katan has played in three of the four qualifiers so far while Colautti has been ever-present.
At Stamford Bridge, Sahar has progressed from the youths and reserves to a first team debut in January, becoming both Israel and Chelsea's youngest ever international in the process.
Sahar has so far made three substitute appearances for the Blues - the last of which came during the latter stages of their victory over Wigan in the Barclays Premiership in January.
Most players would be satisfied with such a season and the prospect of joining the first team squad at Chelsea next term, but Sahar is more cautious.
He said: "Sometimes I think maybe it is a little too fast. But the chance has come up and it is good for me.
"If you play for the first team of Chelsea, of course you like it but you have to keep in your mind that you are still young and there is a lot to improve.
"I am still young and I know every day in training I need to work hard. I am happy that the staff has given me the opportunity to play.
"I don't feel pressure here in Chelsea but in Israel, everyone knows me now and everyone expects that I will play good and there is a little bit of pressure from the media in Israel. But I have to control this and stay focused on the pitch."
Back home in Israel, Sahar's rise is mirrored by the country's national team.
An unbeaten, if ultimately unsuccessful qualification campaign for the last World Cup, was a clear sign that Israeli football was moving in the right direction.
They currently lie level with England in Euro 2008 qualification group E, three points behind leaders Croatia and Sahar added: "This is a big game for us because we know if we win, it will help a lot to go to the next round.
"If you don't think you have a chance, why are you playing? We think we have a chance, particularly at home with all our fans.
"The stadium in Tel Aviv is not a typical English stadium, the fans are a little bit far from the pitch, but it holds 45,000 and the atmosphere will be great because a lot of fans from Israel will come.
"Maybe England have a little bit of problems with the national team and maybe this is bad for us because you come, you want to fight, you come with 100% motivation. So this can be good or bad.
"We are not an easy team because we played against France and other big teams and we didn't lose."
There has been much banter on the training field between Sahar and Chelsea's England contingent but the Israeli striker will not be clowning around if he gets the chance to shine against them.
Sahar added: "Players like John Terry and Frank Lampard are very friendly but very professional. They speak about the game, and how it is going to be and how the standard is going to be.
"John Terry is a really good guy and helps me. But if I do play against England I will give my best against him."
Sahar was first spotted by Chelsea's academy chief scout Lee Congerton at an Israel youth international in Ireland and was invited over for a trial before being offered the chance to sign.
His mother was a national sprint and long jump champion at the age of 18 and both often come over and stay with him in England.
Sahar, targeted as a first team squad player for Chelsea next year, added: "All the time I thought Chelsea was the best club for me. I think I am suited to English football, that is why I came here. I think I am quick and strong."
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