Some decided to reject the Three Lions and join the Black Stars, such as Chelsea academy product and current Brighton player Tariq Lamptey but there are also those who kept being indecisive while waiting for England national team call-up – the latest being Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah. The two are getting further and further from their dream and it won’t come as a surprise if in the near future, we see the members of Nottingham Forest and Arsenal pay allegiance to the land of their parents.The newest addition to the Ghanaian pool of talent who might be playing for the European country is Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo.The young Red Devil plans to keep his international options open until later this year despite growing interest from Gareth Southgate. The England manager watched Mainoo’s 10th successive Premier League start for United in their 2-1 win at Aston Villa yesterday, but the 18-year-old is also eligible for Ghana and in no rush to make a decision.Mainoo will accept any call-up he is offered by England having already represented them at under 16, under 18 and under 19 level, but has no immediate plans to make a definitive decision on his international career. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7873235##The Stockport-born midfield player qualifies for Ghana through his parents, with Ghana FA Board member Randy Abbey telling The Times last week that they are hopeful of persuading Mainoo to switch his allegiance to the Black Stars.Mainoo is expected to defer his decision until he is confident of breaking into the senior England squad on a regular basis, which despite his impressive performances for United is not likely to be until the autumn at the earliest.Southgate has previously shown a willingness to fast-track talented young players with dual nationality into his senior squad, with Mason Greenwood given his first cap at the age of 18 for example, but this approach is not practical with Mainoo in the short term as England do not have any competitive matches other than the European Championship until September.As previously reported by Mail Sport the FA are confident of retaining Mainoo’s services, but have not been given any guarantees. Under FIFA eligibility rules a player can change their nationality at any time if they have only played in friendlies, while those aged under 21 can also switch after three years if they have played fewer than three competitive matches.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Mainoo will not make a formal decision until he is in contention for competitive senior caps, which given the proximity of the European Championship is not expected to be until the autumn at the earliest. England have friendlies against Brazil and Belgium next month, and warm-up games against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in June, before beginning their next UEFA Nations League campaign with matches against Republic of Ireland and Finland in September.While Mainoo has impressed in a defensive midfield role for United Southgate is convinced he will develop into a box-to-box attacking player, putting him in the same bracket as Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden rather than Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips. 🚨🚨| JUST IN:Gareth Southgate is considering fast-tracking Kobbie Mainoo through the England ranks as interest in the teenager intensifies from Ghana. Southgate believes Mainoo has significant potential and is keen to accelerate his progress with England. @JamesOlley #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Woy1CmTVeP— Red Central (@RedCentrall) February 13, 2024 Given his impressive performances in recent months however, a first call-up for Lee Carsley’s under 21 squad next month for their European Championship qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg is a distinct possibility.Ghana will likely undergo a massive rebuild after a painful group-stage elimination at the recently ended AFCON 2023.
