Ned to declare for Super Eagles?

[johnny on the spot]

Apologies if posted...

Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha ponders Nigeria switch

Former England U21 defender Onuoha plays for Manchester City

Nedum Onuoha is considering switching his allegiance to Nigeria, despite having already played for England.

The defender, who has been impressive for Manchester City this season, has already played for England Under-21s.

But Onuoha can switch allegiances as he is yet to play for the senior side.
"I would like to play in the remaining six games for City. If I did that maybe the chance would be there to play for Nigeria," the 23-year-old told the Manchester Evening News.

"But if I am not playing week in, week out, I wouldn't expect to receive a call from anyone because that wouldn't be right.
"Everyone wants to play in the World Cup, but things have to be right and you have to be selected.

"A lot of people are talking about it as though it is an option but I haven never been called up."

The Manchester City defender was born in the African country but moved to the United Kingdom when he was seven.

He has been stalling on a decision on his international future to see what the likelihood was of him making a successful elevation into the senior ranks.
He was key a member of the Under-21 squad that reached last summer's European Championship final.

However, with progression at City - first under Mark Hughes and now Roberto Mancini - Onuoha is keen to hear from Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback ahead of June's finals in South Africa.

<a class="postlink" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8604936.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 604936.stm</a>

Fair enough if you ask me. He was born in Warri if I remember rightly and would be guaranteed at least a shot at regular international first team action. It'd be England's loss but I honestly couldn't begrudge the switch.

 

[vonksconk]

Agreed, Can't fault the lad, i wish him well.

 

[DontLookBackInAnger]

Good luck to him, it seems pretty unlikely he will get an England call up and unlike many of the guys that switch to Ireland, he was atleast born there!

 

[lancs blue]

Yes, wouldn't blame him for switching as he's unlikely to figure in Capello's plans any time soon.

 

[Lomas has a lob on]

Fair play, it just means another player missing for the ACON year after next! If Ned's still with us obviousley.

 

[bluebean]

good luck too the lad! will do him good too play at world cup!

 

[Clubber]

Its his choice, and i wouldn't blame him.

In fairness, he isn't england level yet (Yet i really like nedum, and think he could be up for a squad place in a couple years), yet the england team is more clicky than a jazz club.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

Onouha Considering Switch

<a class="postlink" href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8604936.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 604936.stm</a>

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Nedum Onuoha is considering switching his allegiance to Nigeria, despite having already played for England.

The defender, who has been impressive for Manchester City this season, has already played for England Under-21s.

But Onuoha can switch allegiances as he is yet to play for the senior side.

"I would like to play in the remaining six games for City. If I did that maybe the chance would be there to play for Nigeria," the 23-year-old told the Manchester Evening News.

"But if I am not playing week in, week out, I wouldn't expect to receive a call from anyone because that wouldn't be right.

"Everyone wants to play in the World Cup, but things have to be right and you have to be selected.

"A lot of people are talking about it as though it is an option but I haven never been called up."

The Manchester City defender was born in the African country but moved to the United Kingdom when he was seven.

He has been stalling on a decision on his international future to see what the likelihood was of him making a successful elevation into the senior ranks.

He was key a member of the Under-21 squad that reached last summer's European Championship final.

However, with progression at City - first under Mark Hughes and now Roberto Mancini - Onuoha is keen to hear from Nigeria coach Lars Lagerback ahead of June's finals in South Africa.

 

[Damocles]

Re: Onouha Considering Switch

A decision that shows his youth.

His judgement on this is flawed, he is going to swap the future for the now. He could be an international defender for England in 4 years and get to the next World Cup/one after that, but is going to throw it away for a short term Nigerian adventure.

Daft if you ask me, Pearce has already made clear that he highly rates him and I'm sure Capello will be informed of this.

 

[pee dubya]

He's better than Lescott was at this age.

 

[1970IrlamBlue]

Can't blame him - he might not get another chance to get to a World Cup. If he goes I hope he does well for them.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Onouha Considering Switch

A decision that shows his youth.

His judgement on this is flawed, he is going to swap the future for the now. He could be an international defender for England in 4 years and get to the next World Cup/one after that, but is going to throw it away for a short term Nigerian adventure.

Daft if you ask me, Pearce has already made clear that he highly rates him and I'm sure Capello will be informed of this.

I tend to agree with this. Wasn't Neds Under 21's captain last summer?

I think he should give it a couple more seasons, and see if he's any closer. He's a young lad with plenty of world cups ahead of him. Having said that, if chooses to represent Nigeria I'll wish him nothing but the best of luck. A top class man...

 

[poyntonblue]

Just on this, Ned was at a Q&A for our supporters club last night and the question was asked about this situation.
His reply was that he hadn't made a decision to choose one or the other as he hadn't been called up to represent either country. He put this down to not playing regularly.

Now he may have just given the answer to be diplomatic but he seemed genuine.
He said the press have jumped on it and turned it around.

Just like to say what a down to earth guy he is, took the mickey out of Vieira no end!!

Please take this how you want but i've no reason to bullshit anyone

 

[Project]

Re: Onouha Considering Switch

A decision that shows his youth.

His judgement on this is flawed, he is going to swap the future for the now. He could be an international defender for England in 4 years and get to the next World Cup/one after that, but is going to throw it away for a short term Nigerian adventure.

Daft if you ask me, Pearce has already made clear that he highly rates him and I'm sure Capello will be informed of this.

I'm not sure I agree with this. It's not like some of these players discovering they have a distant relative who happened to be Irish. He was born in Nigeria, has a Nigerian name and is of Nigerian heritage - and is super proud of that fact. There is an element of swapping what *may* happen in the future for now, but given it involves his country of birth it far outweighs any of those doubts.

 

[Lindowman]

Hope he doesn't ( purely from a selfish pov ) , as this will mean we lose him to the ANC comp with all the others !

 

[GoForGlory]

I'd love to see him in the world cup though, but it is England's loss. Nevertheless, for pure personal reasons ahead of this world cup, I hope he goes - Lagerbäck is coaching and even though I wasn't his biggest fan when he was in charge of Sweden I really hope he does well and will be supporting Nigeria in that group.<br /><br />-- Thu Apr 08, 2010 5:32 pm --<br /><br />

A decision that shows his youth.

His judgement on this is flawed, he is going to swap the future for the now. He could be an international defender for England in 4 years and get to the next World Cup/one after that, but is going to throw it away for a short term Nigerian adventure.

Daft if you ask me, Pearce has already made clear that he highly rates him and I'm sure Capello will be informed of this.

I'm not sure I agree with this. It's not like some of these players discovering they have a distant relative who happened to be Irish. He was born in Nigeria, has a Nigerian name and is of Nigerian heritage - and is super proud of that fact. There is an element of swapping what *may* happen in the future for now, but given it involves his country of birth it far outweighs any of those doubts.

Yeah, I disagree aswell. And I doubt it would be short term - if he makes his decision it's pretty final I'm sure, and he'll be along for the ride. At least that's what I think...Nedum seems pretty loyal that way.

 

[Unknown_Genius]

Re: Onouha Considering Switch

A decision that shows his youth.

His judgement on this is flawed, he is going to swap the future for the now. He could be an international defender for England in 4 years and get to the next World Cup/one after that, but is going to throw it away for a short term Nigerian adventure.

Daft if you ask me, Pearce has already made clear that he highly rates him and I'm sure Capello will be informed of this.

I agree. You never know what the future might hold, just look at Zamora.