The Ghana FA are understood to be closing in on recruiting the Blues wideman
Callum Hudson-Odoi
Chelsea wideman Hudson-Odoi appears to be on the brink of turning out for Ghana, after turning his back on the England national side.
The 21-year-old has featured three times for the Three Lions, but recently rejected the chance to represent the U-21s, and may have burned his bridges with the England FA.
He remains eligible for Ghana, and—earlier this year—talked up his hopes of featuring for the Black Stars.
He’s not the only player on Chelsea’s books who could yet throw his hat into the ring for an African nation.
Trevoh Chalobah
Born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, Chalobah has represented England up to U-21 level, having originally made his debut for the U-16s way back in 2014.
He’s been made to wait to make his mark for the Blues, having been sent out on loan to Ipswich Town, Huddersfield Town and FC Lorient, but made up for lost time with a delightful goal against Crystal Palace on the first game of the season.
Malang Sarr
Yet to represent the Blues in the Premier League, despite being named by the CIES Football Observatory as one of the top five U-20 players in the world three and a half years ago.
He represented OGC Nice over 100 times in the French top flight, but his impact was limited on loan at FC Porto last term.
A French youth player up to U-21 level, the 22-year-old has been approached by Senegal, but is yet to commit to the Teranga Lions.
Charly Musonda
Injuries and—arguably—poor career decisions have limited Musonda’s ability to realise his immense potential.
He’s already featured three times in the Premier League for the Blues, and enjoyed consistent playing time on loan with Real Betis, but loan stints with Celtic and Vitesse Arnhem have led to a downplaying of expectation.
He spent six years with Belgium’s youth team, but his future is surely with Zambia, whom his father Charles represented.
Tiemoue Bakayoko
Despite making his France debut way back in 2017, Bakayoko’s career—both at club and international level—has stalled dramatically since his debut season at Chelsea.
He made 29 league outings for the Blues after arriving from AS Monaco, and subsequent loan deals with the likes of AC Milan and Napoli have done little to force him back into the France reckoning.
Is it time for the 27-year-old to finally switch to the Ivory Coast and enjoy an international future with the Elephants?
Tino Anjorin
Currently on loan at Lokomotiv Moscow, Anjorin is younger than many of the other players on this list, and may still harbour hopes of representing England at senior level.
He’s already been with the Three Lions from U-17 to U-19 level, and will be hoping to become the latest English youngster to make the most of a move abroad to force himself into Gareth Southgate’s plans.
A future with Nigeria is also on the cards for the talented six footer.
Xavier Mbuyamba
Towering centre-back who is yet to represent Chelsea after signing a three-year deal with the Blues in August 2020.
He was previously on the books of Barcelona, but injury problems have limited his ability to make an impact at Stamford Bridge despite parallels with Virgil van Dijk.
He’s represented the Netherlands at youth level, but is eligible for the Democratic Republic of Congo via his father.
Tariq Uwakwe
London-born Uwakwe has been with Chelsea since 2007, when he was still a child, but is yet to represent the Blues above U-23 level.
He spent last season on loan with Accrington Stanley, and despite representing England up to U-20 level, he hasn’t featured in an international fixture since 2017.
Could Nigeria be beneficiaries of the youngster’s drift away from the Three Lions picture?
Thierno Ballo
Exciting Abidjan-born midfielder Ballo has worked his way through the ranks with the Austria national team, where his exciting play going forward has won over many admirers.
Currently on loan with Rapid Vienna, he remains on course to feature for Austria, but the Ivory Coast ought to be monitoring the situation closely.
Source: Goal
