Ahead of the Euro 2020 final, Ed Dove ranks every potential Super Eagle who played for the European giants



#9 Dominic Solanke
Former Chelsea and Liverpool striker who remains eligible for Nigeria having only represented England once, in a friendly against Brazil in 2017.

Solanke, currently in the Championship with Bournemouth, has shown glimpses of his youth promise at senior level, but appears unlikely to add to his 15 minutes with the Three Lions.



#8 Fikayo Tomori
Despite reported interest from both Canada and Nigeria, the Chelsea centre-back made his England debut in 2019.

Even though his six-minute showing came in a competitive fixture, he remains eligible for the Super Eagles due to the recent Fifa change to eligibility rules.



#7 Tammy Abraham
Another recent entry—and a controversial one at that—Abraham appeared close to committing to the Super Eagles, particularly after NFF President Amaju Pinnick revealed that he was on the brink of choosing Nigeria for his future.

Ultimately, the Chelsea striker chose England, and while he has four caps to date, the presence of the likes of Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Marcus Rashford threatens to reduce his potential international impact with the Three Lions.

He was not in the reckoning for the Euro 2020 squad.



#6 Carlton Cole
The ex-Chelsea frontman acknowledged that he was approached by Nigeria, and was tempted by the prospect of playing alongside his hero, Nwankwo Kanu.

"I was called up by Nigeria last season but Chelsea told me that it was in my best interests not to go," the former striker said last year. "I could have been playing alongside Kanu. I look up to him as one of the best players in the world.

"My father is Nigerian and my mother comes from Sierra Leone but I've never been a follower of Nigeria and my interest in African football is only occasional.

"I was born in England and consider that to be my country so I want to play for them."

Cole ended his England career with seven appearances, all from the bench.



#5 Ugo Ehiogu
Late centre-back who passed away prematurely in 2017 following a heart attack at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground, where he was working as a coach.

The defender enjoyed a distinguished playing career, notably with Aston Villa and Middlesbrough alongside current England coach Gareth Southgate, and amassed four caps for the Three Lions.



#4 Gabby Agbonlahor
One of the most contentious players on this list, Agbonlahor was courted by the Super Eagles, and remains the enduring example of someone who was ultimately spurned by the Three Lions, potentially regretting what might have been with Nigeria.

He ended his international career with just three appearances—zero goals—and could have achieved so much more with the West Africans.



#3 Bukayo Saka
The latest Nigerian player to turn out for the Three Lions, Saka made his debut in the 3-0 victory over Wales last year.

He's subsequently grown into the squad, becoming a key player under Southgate and playing an influential role in England's run to the Euro 2020 final.

He could be the first player of Nigerian origin since Angelo Ogbonna of Italy to feature in a Euro final on Sunday.




#2 John Salako
The only Nigeria-born player to play for England, Salako was born in Ibadan before moving to Kent as a youngster.

He’s a Crystal Palace legend, making over 200 appearances for the Eagles, and was included in the club’s Centenary XI.

The outside left made five England appearances—all in 1991.




#1 John Fashanu
Towering, powerful striker who was a cult hero with unfashionable Wimbledon during their halcyon days at the top of the English game.

His international career, potentially due to the intense competition, was relatively brief, with two appearances a scant return for such a talented and unique frontman.

Following his retirement, Fashanu expressed regret that he hadn’t turned out for the Super Eagles instead.

"The fact is that I really wanted to play for Nigeria and I came home on three occasions but the coach said I was not good enough to make his team, and so never selected me except for one friendly match against China where I was an unused substitute,” Fashanu told Goal.

“So, it was never my fault at all and it pained me so much that I never played for my country.”

Source: https://www.goal.com/en-za/lists/ranking-every-nigerian-who-chose-to-play-for-englands-three/15iyec66n2a731mz8wormse62b#1aw0709takwdn1aiv2ahn7yc43

Never knew Dominic Solanke is from Nigeria....but on a serious note it is better to play one minute for England than play for a life time for Nigeria..

Lol, Solanke is a Yoruba name

Ever8090:
Never knew Dominic Solanke is from Nigeria....but on a serious note it is better to play one minute for England than play for a life time for Nigeria..

Na so e bad reach

Damnnn niggar
Isoright

It doesn’t always end well

Alright...

The end is near

The future is black

No need to cry and feel bad for them rejecting Nigeria, if you are in their shoes you would have done the same because Nigeria hold no promises that a country should hold, to some it have become a den of thieves, kidnappers, murderers, ritualist and scavengers. And for what it is worth this is how Nigeria is perceived worldwide and that is what it is, in recent times it have only become worse.

For a country that kills dreams and talent with no infrastructure laid down to groom the young talents, then you manage to come through and doing well on your own, only for the same country with out promise and plan that played no part in your career building to request for your services, if na you reason am, na set back e be nah, you fit even loose life representing Nigeria.

Ever8090:
Never knew Dominic Solanke is from Nigeria....but on a serious note it is better to play one minute for England than play for a life time for Nigeria..

Ahan you hate your country so bad

Ever8090:
Never knew Dominic Solanke is from Nigeria....but on a serious note it is better to play one minute for England than play for a life time for Nigeria..

Abeg see this kind mindset....

If u want to win trophies, it's better you play for Nigeria than opting for England. Naija get sense for that aspect.

I'm patriotic

60000MAh power bank for sale at cool price.Check my signature for my WhatsApp and call numbers.Pay on Delivery.

Agbolahor is most symphtetic among the list.

He would have played for long time for Nigeria, but he choose to short lived his career for England, Abraham own will worst

The major difference is the aftermath of the representation, if you play just one match for England you be entitled to have life pension, if you play all your life for Nigeria, you'll only be called ex-international.

W

The list is not complete. What about Dele Alli and Justin Fashanu?

I'd rather play a second in 3lions colours

They have a better chance of playing longer years and frequently used by the Super Eagles during the active days while their chances of breaking into the Three Lions is very slim.

Meanwhile, they get retirement benefit of £5k monthly being that they're ex-Three Lions' players.

Our national tradition wouldn't accord them any honour when the retire but the English would immortalize their memories even if they featured for 1 minutes for their national team.

Imagine you getting £5k monthly in England while most of our former players are groping in suffering and sickness without helping hands from the government.

Check here for home accessories. https://instagram.com/hseofhadassah?utm_medium=copy_link

Praxis758:
They have a better chance of playing longer years and frequently used by the Super Eagles during the active days while their chances of breaking into the Three Lions is very slim.

Meanwhile, they get retirement benefit of £5k monthly being that they're ex-Three Lions' players.

Our national tradition wouldn't accord them any honour when the retire but the English would immortalize their memories even if they featured for 1 minutes for their national team.

Imagine you getting £5k monthly in England while most of our former players are groping in suffering and sickness without helping hands from the government.

If this is true, then I don't blame them. I would do the same. Money first. Recognition and accolades after.

Most of the players played for the best club in the world... Chelsea.