Chelsea Winger Considering Nationality Switch to Ghana After Black Stars World Cup Qualification

Chelsea Winger Considering Nationality Switch to Ghana After Black Stars World Cup Qualification

Isaac Darko
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:59 PM
In this article:
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FIFA World Cup
International
  • English-born Ghanaian attacker Callum Hudson-Odoi is ready to switch allegiance from England to Ghana
  • The Chelsea forward is reported to be interested in representing Ghana after the African country qualified for the World Cup
  • The Black Stars made a return to the World Cup after missing out on the last edition held in Russia

Callum Hudson-Odoi is weighing up to switching international allegiance from England to Ghana after the Black Stars qualified for the 2022 World Cup, per The Times.

The Black Stars qualified for the Mundial after they edged West African rivals Nigeria in a nail-biting World Cup play-off staged over two legs.

Hudson-Odoi is reported to have watched the blockbuster clash on TV on Tuesday night as coach Otto Addo's men advanced to the World Cup on away goal rule.

Callum Hudson-Odoi, England, Chelsea, Ghana, Black Stars, 2022 World Cup
Chelsea Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi Considering Nationality Switch to Ghana After Black Stars World Cup Qualification. Credit: @mirror @ghanaballers
Source: Twitter

The Black Stars are looking to beef up their squad and have approached Hudson-Odoi through former Newcastle and Brighton & Hove manager Chris Hughton.

Hughton, who is currently employed as the technical advisor for the Black Stars, has already met with the father of Hudson-Odoi in a bid to convince the Chelsea star to play for Ghana.

Hudson-Odoi has represented England at every youth level from U16 to U21 before making his first senior international appearance in 2019.

He became the youngest-ever player to feature in a competitive fixture for the Three Lions at the age of 18 years and 135 days against Czech Republic at Wembley stadium.

Three days later, he made his full debut in England's 5-1 victory of Montenegro, a game he starred in, and registered an assist.

However, the Chelsea winger is still eligible to play for another national team in full international level and Ghana are said to have started speaking with the Chelsea star over switching allegiance.

Why is Callum Hudson-Odoi still eligible to play for Ghana?

Under current FIFA rules, any players that have played three or fewer international games before the age of 21 are allowed to switch allegiances if they choose to.

Born to Ghanaian parents, Hudson-Odoi has not earned a call-up to England's senior national team since November 2019 and recently rejected an invitation to play for England U-21 side, the Young Lions.

Hudson-Odoi has visited Ghana twice in the past eight months, where he met Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo and other dignitaries to elaborate on how to "improve football infrastructure and opportunities for children and young people" in the nation.

Ghana legend Asamoah ready to give valuable advice to young footballers

Earlier, Sports Brief had reported how former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan opened his doors to young footballers seeking advice to excel in their careers.

The 36-year-old, who recently ended his punditry job with South African TV channel Super Sports, is set to return to the field for a final shot at his illustrious career.

And following his return from South Africa, he told Tv3, he is ready to offer advice to any footballer especially the young ones to help them succeed.

Authors
Isaac Darko photo
Isaac Darko
Isaac Darko is a La Liga, Ligue 1 and Bundesliga editor at Sports Brief with a Degree in Journalism and Communications from Ghana Institute of Journalism (2010)
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