Wilfried Zaha has been called into the England senior squad for the friendly against Sweden in Stockholm on Wednesday evening and it is something that many are talking about.
Zaha is of course currently plying his trade with high-flying Crystal Palace in the Championship and although he has been putting in superb performances for the London club – does he really deserve a chance to play for his country just yet?
The 20-year-old does also have the option to play for the Ivory Coast as this is where he was born and some reports suggest that his inclusion in this England squad is to try and get him to play for England throughout his career.
Zaha will still be eligible to play for either country until he makes a competitive appearance for England or the Ivory Coast – so it does look as though he will have a big decision to make. It has certainly caused a stir and split some opinions between people in the world of football.
The winger’s new boss, Ian Holloway has said that he deserves the chance to play for England and that he is one of the best players he has ever worked with, whereas Joey Barton took to Twitter to express his confusion by the decision – saying he was ‘baffled’ why someone like Kevin Nolan has not been given the call by Hodgson.
Barton does have a point as well, surely someone playing in the Premier League and playing well deserves a chance over a Championship player?
Nolan has been quite brilliant for West Ham United this campaign and has already netted five times in the top flight. It seems as though Hodgson has a category of players that he has no problem in looking past.
Football betting experts may look at people such as Grant Holt and Danny Graham last season, who both were scoring goals on a regular basis, but didn’t seem to be anywhere near a call-up.
This looks like happening to Nolan as well and he can feel very unlucky not to get a chance to represent his country. Everyone will wish Zaha well of course and should he play on Wednesday, he will have the full support of the crowd. However, maybe it is time for the England boss to look at his vast amount of options in the Premier League rather than going down the leagues.
Does Zaha Deserve his England Chance?
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The level of idiocity of Hodgson rises every passing minute
Poor argument, How can Nolan and Zaha be compared? Nolan is a box to box centre mid, whereas Zaha is a young exciting winger, both completely different players.
If you have ever watched a Palace match which I am sure you haven’t you would see why he has been called up, the skill he has is something that no current top flight winger has. Maybe do some proper research and watch him before making substandard statements.
Watch him play, he is easily better than walcott and chamberlain with the technical abilities superior. Preparing for next world cup, this is the chance Hodgson has to take with the young talent he has. Sterling is another one