Callum Hudson-Odoi says a decision has yet to be made over his international future but thinks Ghana is a "very good option" ahead of a possible switch.
The 22-year-old winger, who became the youngest player to make his England debut in a competitive match when he featured in a 2019 clash against Czech Republic, has picked up a total of three senior caps for the Three Lions.
He last played for his country at senior level in a European Championship qualifier against Kosovo but Gareth Southgate has not considered the Nottingham Forest player since that game in 2020.
Hudson-Odoi, meanwhile, would be allowed to represent Ghana in the future as FIFA rules state a player can switch allegiance if he has not played more than three senior games for his country before the age of 21.
Advert
Back in 2021, the player refused to rule out a switch to Ghana when asked about his international future.
And two years later, the former Chelsea winger says he is still open-minded about an allegiance change.
“That decision hasn’t been made yet. I’m still thinking it over," he said when touching on his international future during an interview with The Telegraph.
"Ghana is a very good option but let’s wait and see. Hopefully once I start playing games here, maybe Gareth [Southgate] or Ghana will come. It’s a nice position to be in and hopefully sooner or later we will know.”
Hudson-Odoi is eligible to play for Ghana through his parents, although he reportedly turned down a World Cup call-up from the African nation ahead of last winter's tournament in Qatar.
That's according to the Evening Standard, who said the player wanted to keep his options open for future England call-ups as he continued to impress for Bayer Leverkusen.
Hudson-Odoi, who recently left boyhood club Chelsea to join Nottingham Forest, also opened up about leaving Stamford Bridge this summer for a reported £3 million during that chat with The Telegraph.
He said: "Chelsea has been my home for a very long time and knowing it was time to go was emotional. It was difficult, we had conversations but I thought it was best if I leave. It was a mutual agreement, but I’d say it was more my decision.
"Forest is the right place for me to excel in my football, and do more than I probably could at Chelsea. I want to be playing as much as possible."
The winger added: "There were a lot of different places I could have ended up at, but once ‘Coops’ made the call my head was straight here. He definitely brought the best out of me with England.
"The big thing about him is how he understands players, on and off the pitch. He’s always making sure that you’re mentally right and comfortable, and free in what you do."
SPORTbible are on WhatsApp! We've launched a dedicated news channel to send you the latest news, features and plenty more directly on WhatsApp and all you need to do to sign up is click through to our one-way broadcast channel here HERE for 'SPORTbible News' to appear in the 'Updates' tab on your WhatsApp.
Topics: Callum Hudson-Odoi, England, Ghana, Nottingham Forest, Chelsea
Jack Kenmare