Super Eagles head coach, Eric Chelle, has expressed his desire to bring Arsenal’s prodigious talent, Ethan Nwaneri, into the fold of Nigeria’s national team but admits the road ahead will be difficult. The 18-year-old winger, who has shown remarkable potential at Arsenal this season, is eligible to represent both England and Nigeria, leaving Chelle with a tough task to persuade him to commit to the Super Eagles.
Born in England to a Nigerian father and an English mother, Nwaneri has already featured for England at youth levels. However, he has the option to switch his international allegiance to Nigeria, a move that could significantly bolster the Super Eagles’ attacking options. Chelle, who has been keeping a close eye on Nwaneri’s rise, is keen to engage with the young star, though he acknowledges the challenges that lie ahead.
“During my recent trip to England, where I met with key players like Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi, I mentioned how much I’d love for Nwaneri to join us,” Chelle told SCORENigeria. “I want the NFF (Nigeria Football Federation) to initiate contact with him, and once they do, I’ll personally reach out to him.”
The Super Eagles boss knows that England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, is equally determined to secure Nwaneri for the senior England squad. Chelle, however, remains optimistic about Nigeria’s chances, stating, “It won’t be easy, especially with England’s plans to cap him at full international level. But I am confident that with the right approach, I can convince him about the exciting project we have in Nigeria and how he can be a key player for us.”
Nwaneri’s performances for Arsenal this season have been nothing short of impressive. The youngster has contributed eight goals and two assists in what is shaping up to be a breakthrough season for him. His dynamic playing style and raw talent have drawn attention from clubs and national teams alike, making his international future a hot topic.
Should Nwaneri opt for Nigeria, he would join a growing list of young talents eyeing international glory with the Super Eagles. The possibility of him playing alongside established stars like Ndidi and Iwobi could be a tempting proposition for the winger, but with England’s interests also at play, Chelle will need to pull out all the stops to secure his services.
As the race to secure Nwaneri intensifies, both the Super Eagles and England will be hoping for a breakthrough. For Chelle and Nigeria, the task is clear: make an irresistible case for Nwaneri to represent his father’s homeland and add another gem to Nigeria’s footballing future.
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