Liverpool’s young winger has earned the attention of the Nigerian national team, and they decided to pay him a visit on Wednesday to attempt to persuade him to become a Super Eagle for his future international endeavors. At least they would keep him away from Roy Hodgson.
According to reports from The Echo, Liverpool and current England U-20 international Jordon Ibe has met with a delegation from Nigeria to discuss a possible international switch.
Ibe, a Londoner by birth, would also qualify to play for the Super Eagles because his father is Nigerian.
Under FIFA’s so-called “One Time Switch” policy, players are able to play for one country at the youth international level, and another as a senior, provided the player make the switch before their 21st birthday and before having made a competitive senior level appearance.
So far, Ibe has featured for England’s youth international squad as a U-18, U-19, and U-20. He is expected to soon make the jump to England’s U-21s.
Unless England manager Roy Hodgson decides to call up the young winger soon, Ibe will have plenty of time to ponder any possible switch as he does not turn 21 until December 5, 2016.
Regardless of his decision, all of this international attention is quite the compliment for Ibe. And from a Liverpool perspective, perhaps having him spend his international breaks away from the unwatchful eye of Hodgson is a good thing.
Former Liverpool loanee Victor Moses also played under England’s youth set up before committing to the Nigerian senior squad
