England may be set for yet another awkward situation as a player has been called up to two different international squads.
Of course, fan’s minds will instantly go to the likes of Jack Grealish and Declan Rice when this type of situation arises.
Ironically, during the last international break, the pair faced their former nation the Republic of Ireland. Rice had featured three times for the senior team in 2018.
While Grealish played for various youth sides, despite failing to make a senior international appearance.
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The duo returned to haunt their former side as they both netted in England’s victory over Ireland in Dublin on September 7.
The match happened to be Interim Three Lions boss Lee Carsley’s first match in charge of England, which further added to the drama because he also represented Ireland 40 times during his playing days.
Just when the FA may have thought this sort of issue was behind them, a similar feat has occurred.
According to reports, Wolves’ forward Mateus Mane has been selected by the Three Lions and Portugal Under-18 sides. Both nations announced their squads for the upcoming international fixtures yesterday, in which Mane was included in both.
The 17-year-old has represented England before, after Under-18s boss Liam Bramley selected him for his last squad, coincidentally for a match against Portugal. However, Mane did play for Portugal Under-17s last season.
As the Under-18 team is a non-UEFA age group, both nations are entitled to call the player up. However, this will not work logistically with both sides playing in tournaments during the break.
The Young Lions are set to face Sweden on Friday, 11 October. A victory would see them progress to the final or a loss to the third-place play-off.
However, Portugal’s first game in their respective tournament kicks off on Thursday, 10 October, 24 hours before England’s fixture.
It is still unclear what choice the player will make moving forward. He was born in Barreiro, Portugal, but holds dual citizenship which allows him to play for England.
The youngster has impressed at club level so far this term with two goals and two assists in just three appearances in the Under-18s Premier League for Wolves.
Topics: England, Portugal, Lee Carsley
Luke Davies