Callum Hudson-Odoi in action for Chelsea against Brighton.
According to Goal (h/t Daily Mail), Ghana are trying to persuade Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi and former Vlyes starlet Tariq Lamptey to switch allegiances and represent them in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ghana secured their spot in Qatar by beating Nigeria on away goals in the World Cup qualifiers. This has prompted them to try and move for two out-of-favour English nationalities who are eligible to represent Ghana to convince them to make the switch.
According to FIFA rules, players are allowed to switch nationalities if they have made not more than three appearances for their current national team before turning 21. While the Chelsea prospect has three caps for the Three Lions, Lamptey is yet to make his debut.
Both players are yet to turn 21 and this is their chance to make the switch if they wish to. Hudson-Odoi is said to be considering the switch. The Blues wonderkid turned down the national team call-up last November and has not been included since.
Hudson-Odoi has had a decent season for Chelsea, adequate when fit but injuries have plagued him. The versatile 20-year-old has played in either wing, either wing-back positions and can also fill in as a striker. Lamptey meanwhile has continue his good form and has had a solid season for Brighton.
Very few times does a decision seem to favor all the parties involved but if Hudson-Odoi and Lamptey were to chose Ghana it could just turn out to be a move that may suit all the parties involved.
England have a truckload of talent at their disposal and losing two players is not the worst thing that could happen to them. It may not affect their plans in anyways with both these players not expected to travel with England to Qatar anyways.
Ghana find themselves in the World Cup and adding two players like Hudson-Odoi and Lamptey is likely to hold them in good stead and provide extra firepower to their squad.
For both the players involved, they realistically do not have a chance of getting into the Three Lions squad and could pursue their International careers elsewhere. Gareth Southgate’s squad is brimming with quality in every single position and it is almost impossible to imagine anyone getting into the team.
It remains to be seen if Hudson-Odoi decides to switch allegiances to Ghana and if he does, he’ll have to do it before the deadline. Regardless, this seems like a very wise-choice for all the parties involved and we will have to wait longer to know if the idea materializes.
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