Côte d’Ivoire and Crystal Palace wing forward Wilfred Zaha says he was rejected by England after appearing twice for them in friendly games.
Zaha played regularly for England at U21 level before making the step up to the senior team where he played in friendly games against Sweden in 2012 and Scotland in 2013.
In 2018 he made a u-turn and pledged his international career to the country of his descendants Côte d’Ivoire and has since established himself as a regular with the team.
“It was just like I was rejected from the England side. I didn’t get picked or even get a look in for four years,” Zaha told CNN Sport.
“Four years in football is a long time so it’s like there’s no regret at all. No one even thought about me at all.
“And Ivory Coast, even though I told them no, they still had the belief in me and still wanted me because they knew what I could do for the team.
“As for me not playing for England, I’ve got no regret at all. I’m happy with the decision I made.”
His statement should sound as a timely reminder to his club teammate Ebere Eze who only recently turned down Nigeria in favour of England where he is a member of their U21 team.
Eze is having a terrific season with Crystal Palace in the English Premier League but he has almost six players ahead of him in the pecking order of the senior national team of England under coach Gareth Southgate.
