Premier League star switches international allegiances after years of England snubs

The international break is underway and a Premier League star is in line to become the latest English-born player to represent another country after receiving his first call-up

West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has accepted his first call-up to play for DR Congo after years of being snubbed by England. Wan-Bissaka, 27, represented both countries at youth level, although he played considerably more games for England.

The Irons right-back was frequently tipped to make his Three Lions debut during Gareth Southgate’s tenure. Wan-Bissaka earned plaudits following his £50million move to Manchester United in 2019, being hailed as the best full-back in the Premier League when it came to out-and-out defending.

But Southgate was blessed with a gluttony of options for the right-back position; with Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier and Reece James all battling it out for a place. “It’s an area of the pitch where we are blessed,” the England boss explained in November 2020.

“Aaron is a very good defender, one against one he’s probably as good as I have seen, but I have to look at the balance of the team and currently there are players ahead of him.”

Born in Croydon to Congolese parents, there were always suggestions that Wan-Bissaka would opt to play for DR Congo. In 2019, however, the former Crystal Palace star suggested that he wasn’t interest in representing the African nation.

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“The aim is England,” Wan-Bissaka told the Evening Standard. “I am happy playing with England and representing England, so that is what I am going to continue doing.

“My aim is just to keep playing and improving. By improving hopefully that does not go unnoticed and that will get me the chance, the same as it did with the team (then Palace) now.”

Six years on, Wan-Bissaka has changed his stance. The 27-year-old recently became eligible to play for DR Congo and on Wednesday, West Ham announced that he’d accepted his first call-up.

Wan-Bissaka has now linked up with Sebastien Desabre’s squad ahead of two World Cup qualifiers. DR Congo are in South Sudan on Friday before welcoming Senegal to the capital city of Kinshasa next Tuesday.

Has Aaron Wan-Bissaka made the right decision? Have your say in the comments section.

Should Wan-Bissaka make his debut for DR Congo and lock in his eligibility, he’ll join a number of English-born players to play for other nations. Scott McTominay is a mainstay for Scotland, Matty Cash is part of Poland’s squad, Antonee Robinson plays for the United States and Matt O’Riley represents Denmark.

DR Congo are currently sat first in their group, having played six of their 10 matches. Should they hold onto top spot, the Leopards will qualify for a World Cup for the first time since they were known as Zaire in 1974.

Wan-Bissaka was unused substitute in West Ham’s much-needed 3-0 win away to Nottingham Forest on Sunday. He’d started their opening two games, both of which were defeats.

West Ham paid United £15million to sign Wan-Bissaka in August 2024. He made 38 appearances under managers Julen Lopetegui and Graham Potter, scoring two goals and registering five assists.

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