Nigeria
football officials have made an appeal to Liverpool winger Jordon Ibe to switch
international allegiance to the Super Eagles with new coach Sunday Oliseh
travelling to Melwood to meet the player. The Guardian of London and the
Liverpool ECHO published reports of the meeting.
Ibe
joined Liverpool after making his debut for Wycombe Wanderers at the age of 15
and last season he broke into Brendan Rodgers’ senior side after impressing on
loan at Derby County.
Bermondsey-born
Ibe has represented England at under-18, 19 and 20 levels but is eligible to
play for Nigeria as his dad David is from Nigeria. Oliseh has also met
separately with Victor Moses and other Nigerians in England.
However,
the British media suggest that while being flattered by the meeting with Oliseh
and Nigeria’s desire to get him on board, Ibe is still hoping to launch an
international career with England. Oliseh, on his part, has made it clear that
he wants Ibe to switch.
He
spoke to Ibe personally at Melwood to outline his ideas for the national team
and it will be interesting to see whether or not he is successful.
The
Guardian’s report does add that the FA are
now considering bringing Ibe’s England debut forward in order to ensure he
doesn’t switch to Nigeria.
The
Liverpool striker is expected to be named in Gareth Southgate’s England U-21
squad for next month’s matches against USA and Norway.
He
could still change his mind until he has played a competitive fixture for the
senior side but considering his progress with Liverpool it’s unlikely to be
long before Roy Hodgson calls upon him.
Ibe
has been Liverpool’s standout performer in pre-season and is expected to start
in Sunday’s Premier League opener at Stoke City.
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