Nigeria Not on His Mind

Nigeria Football Federation President, Amaju Pinnick, has repeatedly indicated interest in footballers with Nigerian background playing for European countries at the youth levels. He often wooed them to play for the Super Eagles. However, Pinnick may not

The NFF boss once said it had always been the dream of the present NFF board to build a young Super Eagles team that would go on to conquer the world by 2022, adding that the federation was monitoring several Nigerian players making waves in the various leagues in Europe. “The initial plan was to take our players in the various clubs, but now, what we are trying to do is what we call VIP scouting – talking to these young players that are playing abroad to play for their father land. I am yet to see a Nigerian that is regretting being a Nigerian. No Nigerian, even if they have four or five passports, they are always excited being Nigerians. I can assure you that we shall get them to play for us at appropriate time,” he assured.

However, after piloting England to their first international success since 1966, Solanke has set his eyes on playing for the Three Lions and not many doubt his ability to lead England to glory at the senior level.

After a successful World Cup winning campaign that saw him scoring four goals in six games, Solanke has been drawing praises from every corner. Despite only playing one senior game of English football during his time at Chelsea, the striker’s time at Vitesse and dominance at youth level have seen him show enough to get fans and coaches excited about his ability.

He gave Reds fans a taste of what he could do with a solid World Cup campaign for the Under-20s and being named player of the tournament. It wasn’t just in front of goal, however, that Solanke impressed as his movement; off the ball, work rate and ability to defend from the front have all been noted by his coaches.

“His pressing ability is really something pleasing about him. Defending starts from the front and he is aware of that. You cannot afford to carry anyone defensively and we certainly don’t. While forwards are the match-winners and they get the glory, the other side of it is important too. The best teams all have that. He is a really good, solid lad who is very hard-working, very humble and very talented. I think he is going to have a very good career,” Andy Edwards, England’s out-of-possession coach told Sky Sports.

Former Chelsea youth Coach, Adi Viveash was equally full of praise for the talented, young star: “I have been very lucky as I have worked with some very talented players. But Dominic is right up there at the top of that list. He is an outstanding footballer. He’s intelligent and has great movement. He plays like a No. 9 and a No. 10 put together.”

This praise echoes previous comments made by the likes of Tore Andre Flo, John Terry and Jose Mourinho who have all worked closely with the young talent.

Mourinho indeed declared two years ago that he would have failed if Solanke was not playing for England in three or four years’ time.

"My conscience tells me that if, for example, Lewis Baker, Izzy Brown, and Dominic Solanke are not national team players in a few years, I should blame myself. "‘They are