England rather than Nigeria , according to the
Super Eagles coach, Sunday Oliseh.
The 19-year-old Liverpool winger has represented
England at under-18, under-19, under-20 and
under-21 levels but also qualifies to play for
Nigeria through his father and has been the subject
of an international tug-of-war over his future.
Ibe has yet to play a senior game for either
country, but now looks to have his heart set on
representing England . The Nigeria coach and
former captain had reportedly visited the player at
Liverpool’s training ground last month to try to
convince him to switch his allegiance to Nigeria.
“Jordon Ibe’s family informed me by a telephone
call that he was giving priority to an England call-
up. We wish them well,” Oliseh said on Twitter.
England’s manager, Roy Hodgson , has praised Ibe,
who he said was brought to his attention by the
former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. England
face Estonia and Lithuania in their final Euro 2016
qualifiers in October, having already secured their
place at next year’s finals in France.
“He is certainly a player we like very much and
certainly a player we have our eyes on. It’s far
from impossible that he will get called up in one of
the next games,” Hodgson said.
Liverpool bought Ibe from the League Two club
Wycombe in 2012. He made his debut for the
Merseyside club in 2013 and was sent out on loan
to first Birmingham and then Derby to continue his
development.
The winger was recalled from his loan spell at
Derby in January and has gone on to make 19
appearances for Liverpool, featuring in all five of
their games this season.
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