I agree with the overall point but Hargreaves's parents were from Bolton and he was the only one of his siblings not born in England. I'd imagine he was brought up with strong links to England and probably supported the side as a kid
Ok, that confirms it then with Empirical evidence - no one whose Grandparents are a different nationality would feel a strong affinity to that nation.
Theres a possibility of switching neco Williams to England with paul Simpson watching him at Anfield the other night. The lad has two English grandparents. Hope this happens as he can play left back too. Be nice to get one over on Wales for a change
No chance, Wales will just call him straight up to their senior team if they think we’re sniffing around him. To be honest though, with the amount of right backs we have, Wales is probably his best option. Also, when it comes to the Granny rule, Wales, Ireland and Scotland easily persuade English born players to play for them but it doesn’t work the other way round unfortunately.
It hasn’t happened that often but you just get the feeling it won’t unlike the other way round. It is quite hilarious though at seeing the amount of Welsh triggered by the tweet John Cross posted about it. All of a sudden, I think they have forgotten about the insane amount of English born players they have poached to play for Wales throughout the years. All of a sudden at the very thought of it happening to them you get the usual anti English tripe.
It hasn’t happened that often but you just get the feeling it won’t unlike the other way round. It is quite hilarious though at seeing the amount of Welsh triggered by the tweet John Cross posted about it. All of a sudden, I think they have forgotten about the insane amount of English born players they have poached to play for Wales throughout the years. All of a sudden at the very thought of it happening to them you get the usual anti English tripe.
Williams is welsh and hasn’t shown any indication of switching. He’s also not a left back. Seems like a non-story.
To be fair. The players that have chosen Wales, Scotland and Ireland have done so because they knew they had no chance of playing for England. England would have been their first choice but when you get to 29 and have never had to chance to play in a major tournament, the idea of playing for another country doesn't seem so bad. I hate to use this example but there are plenty of Welsh born players who have played for England rugby team past and present. And they supposedly come from the most rugby mad country in the world.
It isn't. Brooks, Ampadu, Woodburn, McTominay etc. Plenty had interest from England before they made their choices.
None of them thought they had a cat in hell's chance with England. Ampadu was at Exeter. Woodburn was a liverpool youth player . Mctominay probably the only one. Brooks had been snatched having played for England at the under 20 world youth final
The story goes that an England coach upset Ampadu with some constructive criticism and he preferred training with Wales.
Then theres no way ampadu brooks would turn England down for wales without a really good reason. Mctominay was messed about, woodburn wasnt anywhere near England standard
Don’t be silly, Woodburn was heavily saught after by England (for youth set up obvs).Nobody’s suggesting that he would’ve got a senior England squad call up. Feather in the cap for the FAW for retaining him tbf given he only has Welsh grandparents. Same as Brennan Johnson (NFFC) (rejected a ENG u20 cap) in Wales u21s currently. Brooks and Ampadu would’ve definatly been in England’s system as well, had they chosen you. Also both have Welsh mums so it’s hardly a surprise. Also I’d be shocked and appalled if Neco even entertains switching to England. A) he’s Welsh B) it’d be international career suicide
I doubt he'll switch, but let's be honest that he has more obvious ties to England than many do to their country of choice. He has English grandparents, was born right on the border, and has been playing for an English club - and possibly living in England - since under-9 level.