The multinational stars England may lose in eligibility fights include Man Utd pair, Spurs trio, Liverpool teen
Two Manchester United players, a Spurs trio, a Liverpool teenager and Harry Kane’s successor are among the players England risk losing.
This is not an exhaustive list of every player who is eligible to represent England and at least one other country at international level. But it is a collection of the main ones and will be periodically updated as and when other relevant players become apparent.
Suggestions for other inclusions are encouraged.
Max Aarons (Bournemouth) Approaches from Jamaica have been rejected by Aarons, whose 34 England youth caps, U21 Euros winner’s medal, 93 Premier League appearances, previous interest from Bayern Munich and Barcelona and status as a right-back was never converted into senior international honours under a right-back-obsessed manager.
Josh Acheampong (Chelsea) There was an unsuccessful attempt from Ghana to tempt Acheampong into a switch for the World Cup, while the Republic of Ireland door remains open for someone with 44 England youth caps.
Tosin Adarabioyo (Spurs) “I believe I should be going to the next World Cup either with England or Nigeria, that’s my target,” said the Fulham centre-half in July 2020. He missed both subsequent ships, seemingly at least in part due to not really making a definitive decision on which country he wanted to represent.
Tosin does seem to be leaning further towards Nigeria rather than the nation he played for at youth level, but ultimately wishes to “remain focused on my club goals”. He might not have envisaged himself sitting on Tottenham’s bench.
Chuba Akpom (Ipswich) In the hunt for Harry Kane’s successor, Akpom might not be too far from the head of the queue after marking his Premier League return with a goal against Manchester United.
Akpom explained in 2019 that he had started the process of switching his allegiance to Nigeria, but the Super Eagles seem happy with their lot.
Josh Dasilva (Brentford) “I am Angolan, my parents are Angolan, they are proud of where they are from and I am proud to be Angolan. I haven’t really had any contact so I am not too sure what the situation is, but if a chance comes around we can see what happens.” Not even the experience of winning the European U19 Championship with England in 2017 can tie Dasilva down.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (Everton) There is talk of Dewsbury-Hall being eligible for not only the Republic of Ireland but Malaysia through familial ties, although the player himself has said that he’s not aware where the links with the latter come from as he doesn’t think his nan has Malaysian roots.
Everton will hope he is good enough to catch the eye of England and render any interest moot. Thomas Tuchel has spoken about him with admiration.
Tyrique George (Everton) Born in Camden to parents from Ghana and Nigeria, it nevertheless seems likely that George will hold out for England while focusing on his club development with Everton.
Archie Gray (Spurs) Liam Cooper once described himself as a “secret agent” hoping to tempt former Leeds teammate Gray over to Scotland. But “he’s flying at the minute with England as captain of the under-18s, which is a bit of a stinker for us”. As is picking up 17 U21 caps and playing every possible position imaginable for Spurs, albeit not well enough for an England call.
Ayden Heaven (Manchester United) Heaven is represented by mother Lisa, whose Ghana roots might one day become a more relevant factor in his international career, but the centre-half wants to play for England currently.
Shea Lacey (Manchester United) While he has trained with Tuchel’s senior squad and has 24 England youth caps, there is still a chance that Lacey does a reverse Declan Rice and declares for the Republic of Ireland.
Brian Madjo (Aston Villa) Earmarked by some as Kane’s eventual replacement, Villa striker Madjo is already an international. But his three friendly caps for Luxembourg do not yet preclude England honours, even if it does make his next country-based decision quite final.
Dwight McNeil (Crystal Palace) “When I see some of the other young players who are getting called up and are in and around the squad then he can’t be far away in my opinion but I’m bound to say that, I see him every day,” said Burnley manager Sean Dyche of McNeil in December 2019. The pair were reunited to more moderate success at Everton but Jamaica have not been tempted enough yet either there or since his move to Selhurst Park.
Mikey Moore (Koln, on loan from Spurs) There is no need for Moore, still technically the youngest English scorer of a goal in major European competition unless and until the Republic of Ireland or Wales turn his head, to make a call just yet.
Reiss Nelson (Feyenoord) While Nelson’s reputation as an Arsenal super-sub was indelible, loans with Fulham and Brentford did nothing to boost his England case. Zimbabwe eyes might be caught over at Feyenoord.
Ethan Nwaneri (Borussia Dortmund, on loan from Arsenal) Nigeria have not given up their pursuit of England youth international Nwaneri, whose glittering Young Lions career has yet to translate into senior recognition.
There are also links to France, but Nwaneri’s ongoing quest to find his feet at club level have postponed things on the international front.
Trey Nyoni (Liverpool) Very much a part of Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool plans, Nyoni should not be too far from the England picture. He might be expected to make his U21 debut first, with Zimbabwe on standby.
Jacob Ramsey (Newcastle) Aston Villa were loathe to accept £35m for a player Unai Emery was willing to risk a £50m points deduction over. England could not blame PSR if they lose a versatile player – and brother Aaron, on loan at Leicester from Burnley – to Jamaica.
Ryan Sessegnon (Fulham) The distant cousin of 84-cap Benin international Stephane is thought to be eligible to represent The Cheetahs but the perennially injured Sessegnon would hope to find enough consistency back with Fulham to follow up on an England youth career which saw him constantly picked above his age group.
Joe Willock (Newcastle) England could do far worse than considering Willock as a reliable squad option. The 24-year-old has played a crucial role in Newcastle’s takeover era and, as the saying goes, Montserrat can only be held off for so long.
Capped England players who meet the criteria to switch allegiance
Nathaniel Chalobah (West Brom) A senior England career which officially spans zero minutes after his stoppage-time introduction to a 3-2 Nations League victory over Spain in October 2018 will not extend any further, so Sierra Leone might be checking the FIFA rulebook.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest) “If the possibility and chance comes, I will have to go there and prove myself all over again,” said Hudson-Odoi in March 2025 with an international allegiance switch still possible despite his three England caps.
“Ghana is a very good option but let’s wait and see. Hopefully once I start playing games here, maybe Gareth or Ghana will come,” was another rather dated quote.
Mason Greenwood (Fenerbahce) Southgate spoke typically diplomatically on the “very complex case”. Lee Carsley said he “wasn’t a player we could consider”. And Thomas Tuchel said Greenwood “is not in our thoughts”.
Jamaica are less bothered about the obvious issues. Steve McClaren wanted him in the mix but Greenwood “is taking his time over that, so it’s a little bit disappointing”.
There was once a claim in the Daily Mail that some in Marseille felt Greenwood ‘has become obsessed by an impossible dream’ and ‘still believes he can play for England again’.
Nope.
Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool) It will take two more caps for Ngumoha to officially and irreversibly tie his career down to England. It doesn’t feel like the Liverpool forward will have his head turned anyway at this stage, nor that France particularly need to try and tempt him away. But good luck to Nigeria and Guadeloupe.
