‘Outstanding’ England player could ditch country to play for World Cup rivals | Football | Sport

An ‘outstanding’ English midfielder could reportedly ditch the Three Lions and play for a rival country at this summer’s World Cup. There are only four months until football’s biggest tournament gets underway in the United States, Canada and Mexico. England, who reached the quarter-finals of the last World Cup in 2022, have been placed in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama.

Competition for places in the squad is ramping up as the tournament draws nearer, with central midfield a particularly saturated area. The likes of Jude Bellingham, Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice are almost certain to make the cut while others will have to impress Thomas Tuchel over the next few months. One player who is unlikely to be in the squad is Carney Chukwuemeka, but he could still play at the World Cup for a different country.

The former Chelsea and Aston Villa playmaker, who is currently at Borussia Dortmund, could ditch England and declare for Austria, according to Sky Germany.

Chukwuemeka has represented the Three Lions at youth level and was a member of the squad that won the under-19 Euros in 2022, even scoring against Israel in the final.

However, it’s claimed that he is considering the prospect of switching to Austria, with manager Ralf Rangnick eager to name the 22-year-old in his World Cup squad.

The midfielder is eligible because he was born in Austria before moving to England at a young age. He also qualifies for Nigeria through his parents, but the Super Eagles won’t be at the World Cup after failing to qualify.

It remains to be seen if Chukwuemeka will line up for Austria this summer, having initially looked like a solid prospect for England during the early stages of his career. He has never made a senior appearance for the Three Lions, though.

He showed plenty of promise during his time in the Premier League, with Paul Merson branding him ‘outstanding’ after his debut for Aston Villa.

“The young kid, Chukwuemeka, was very good,” said Merson on Sky Sports. “He has got a bright future. I don’t see a lot of the kid’s football.

“First half, he was outstanding. He was gliding across the pitch. 17 years old, you are playing in the Premier League in the centre of midfield. I mean, that’s a big ask.

“He will be an absolute star. He glides across the pitch. He is a nice size. He gets on the ball. He looks for it and makes runs without the ball. I think Villa fans going away will definitely be talking about him.”

Chukwuemeka joined Borussia Dortmund last summer and has quickly established himself as a regular presence in the middle of the park. This season, he has made 18 league appearances while also chipping in with two goals.