Dutch-born Ghana midfielder Edwin Gyasi has advised Chelsea Star Callum Hudson-Odoi to follow his heart amid suggestions he should switch allegiance from England’s national team to play for Ghana.
The 20-year-old Uefa Champions League winner visited Ghana, the country of his parents earlier in June, and visited a number of key stakeholders.
He paid a courtesy call on the President of Ghana Nana Akufo-Addo and President of the Ghana Football Association Kurt Okraku.
They discussed the possibility of quitting the Three Lions for the Black Stars in both meetings, Akufo-Addo urged the country’s Sports Minister to start steps for the nationality switch to take place.
Gyasi, 30, with 5 caps for Ghana, says England-born Odoi should follow his conscience and not let the warm reception received in Ghana force him to ditch England for Ghana.
“I will advise him (Hudson-Odoi) to follow his heart, rather than bowing to public pressure at this critical moment in his career,” Gyasi told Accra-based Kasapa FM.
The Chelsea Academy graduate is still eligible to switch allegiance to the West African nation.
He has made three senior appearances for the Three Lions of England since his debut in 2019.
One more outing will make Odoi permanently tied to Gareth Southgate’s side. And that has been delayed by his snub for the ongoing 2020 Euros.
According to current Fifa rules on nationality switch, the forward is entitled to make a switch to Ghana provided he has not played over three senior matches for England and all the games had come before he turned 21 (on November 7).
Also, he can only make an application three years after his last appearance for the nation he wishes to change from.