Callum Hudson-Odoi could switch his international allegiance to Ghana in future despite being capped three times at senior level by the Three Lions of England.
The 21-year-old winger paid a courtesy visit to President Nana Akufo-Addo on Monday, while enjoying his holiday in Ghana after being snubbed by the Three Lions for the upcoming European Championship.
During the meeting, Akuffo-Addo urged the pacey winger to line up for the Black Stars and implored the country’s Sports ministry to see out the possibility of convincing the youngster to play for Ghana.
“On Monday, 7th June 2021, Ghanaian-born Chelsea footballer, Callum Hudson-Odoi, paid a courtesy call on me at Jubilee House, the seat of our nation’s presidency,” the Ghana ministry of information has stated.
“Amongst others, I urged the Minister for Youth and Sports to explore the possibility of having Callum switch nationality, and play for the Black Stars.”
Hudson-Odoi has made three senior appearances for England but still eligible to done the colours of the Black Stars provided he does not add a fourth cap for the Three Lions.
“I think obviously when you’re young, you have the opportunity to play for England throughout all the years, from under 15 to 16 all the way up,’ Hudson-Odoi said, as reported by Joy Sports.
“When they obviously gave me the opportunity to come I was in the country already. It’s something that I already had in my mind, set on already playing for England.”
“So it was the thing obviously choosing Ghana or England, and at the end of the day I said I always had the right people around me who always advise me – what’s right, what’s wrong. England came and I said ‘Yeah, let me go and play for my country.
“But I said Ghana is my home as well, so we’ll see, we’ll see. You’ll never know.”
Hudson-Odoi made his senior debut for England in a European Championship qualifier against the Czech Republic in March 2019, becoming the youngest-ever player to make his debut in a competitive match for England, aged 18 years and 135 days.
Should the Champions League winner agree to play for Ghana, he will have to wait until November next year to do so as Fifa rules demand that players become eligible for a switch only three years after their last appearance for the association they wish to leave.
