England U21 boss Aidy Boothroyd believes the uncertainty surrounding the future of Nigerian born forward Ademola Lookman at Everton has unsettled him.
The 20-year-old failed to land a move to RB Leipzig, where he spent part the last six months on loan with the Bundesliga outfit. He is reportedly considering switching allegiance to Nigeria despite featuring for England’s U19 and U21.
The Everton winger featured for England’s U-21 team in their 2-1 win over Latvia on Tuesday and was subbed off after 64 minutes after he failed to sparkle in the encounter.
“I thought he was nowhere near his best,” Boothroyd was quoted on The Sun.
“He’s very talented but when there’s a lot of speculation, it can get inside a player’s head.”
Lookman has only made one substitute appearance for Everton this season which was against Huddersfield earlier this month.
He is expected to be named in the matchday squad when the Toffees host West Ham who are without a win to Goodison Park, Liverpool on Sunday.
COMMENTS
If only you pledged your allegiance to Nigeria, by now your carrier would have been better for sure, you will have even made the squad that went to world cup in Russia, we are ok, we don’t need your input now. i know very soon Tammy will also say he want to commit to Nigeria. Stay in your England, i bet you will not make their senior team.
GREAT NEWS INCOMING!
NFF Chief Confirms
Ademola Lookman Switch
Of Allegiance From
England To Super Eagles
Everton ace Ademola Lookman has pledged his
senior international future to Nigeria ahead of
England according to a chieftain of the Nigeria
Football Federation ( NFF).
Owngoalnigeria.com sort clarification on reports
about his switch of allegiance and the NFF
bigwig who spoke on the condition of
anonymity confirmed the switch is as good as
done.
” Base on our discussion with his management
team and his parents he will represent Nigeria .
He has decided to play for Nigeria. Lookman
never shut out Nigeria completely but we have
to be careful because of the experience with
Tammy Abraham “, he told
Owngoalnigeria.com.
“Coach Gernot Rohr has always wanted
Lookman. Now with the retirement of Victor
Moses, he will add to the options available to
the coach on the flanks. An announcement will
be made soon”, he concluded.
He however said he is not sure of Lookman
making the squad of the Nigerian team for next
month back to back Africa Cup of Nations
Qualifiers against Libya.
Opun all de beg we beg him, now he knw dat he cannot break into de england squad, so he want to look into nigeria. u beta remain in ur england, cuz u cannot break into nigeria squad also. we dont even need ur service. u wil be bhind onyekuru, osimhen, kalu,success, nwakali.simon. u wil be behind all these guyz dat hv not nail down their startin line up and bench.
He was born, raised and developed in England. He has won the under 20 World Cup with England. He has done very well with England’s support. I don’t know whether he even knows where Nigeria is!
If he was good enough he would be playing for England only those who cannot make the cut for England will play for Nigeria. Yes I said it! Nigeria is his second choice. However, the England coach said today that he is looking at the situation and he may play him when required in order to block Nigeria.
Having said that, the left winger will be third behind Moses Simon and Onyekuru in the pecking order and will take an injury or suspension before he will see competitive action.
I don’t see him in competition for Nigeria before 2019 and by then it may be too late
He should have declared before the World Cup for a chance to be in the team now. I do t blame him for waiting though as he is a World Cup winner and expected to go the the senior World Cup with England.