Tammy Abraham has told the English FA he remains available for selection and has rejected reports he wants to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria. PHOTO:AFP
England U21 striker Tammy Abraham has told the English FA he remains available for selection and has rejected reports he wants to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria.
Abraham, who has also represented England at U18 and U19 level, was born in London but is also eligible to play for Nigeria through his father.
The Chelsea striker – currently on loan at Swansea – admits meeting Amaju Pinnick, the President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), after the Swans’ 0-0 draw with Tottenham at Wembley last weekend. But Abraham has released a statement confirming he remains committed to England.
“Contrary to reports in the media today I would like to clarify that I have not agreed to switch my national team allegiance,” said Abraham.
“I can confirm I met the President of the NFF after our last game against Tottenham at Wembley on Saturday given he is a friend of my father.
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“However, any suggestion that I have made a decision to change my international representation is incorrect and wide of the mark.
“I have informed The FA that I remain available for selection for England.”
Yesterday, Swansea boss, Paul Clement expressed his desire to see Abraham opting to play for England despite the interest from Nigeria.
Clement, who is believed to have persuaded the striker to stick to England, said in an interview with the BBC, “hopefully he stays with the English national team,” Clement said.
“I am not sure if he’d be better off career-wise – I’m saying it because I’m English and he’s a good English talent, so you want him involved in the national team.
“From my point of view, there will be no influence from me.
“If he wants to ask for advice, of course I’ll be there to do it, but I’m sure, between him and his family, he’ll make the right decision.”
Clement added, “I haven’t spoken to him about that [interest from Nigeria]. I will ask him at some point, but I’ve got more pressing issues to deal with at the moment than that.
“Ultimately it’s the decision of the player. In some cases they’ll make the choice because they see a better opportunity, a chance of playing more regularly at international level.
Source: G Sport
