Sheffield United have eight players currently away on international duty during the latest break from Premier League football.
There is the Republic of Ireland quartet of John Egan, David McGoldrick, Callum Robinson and Enda Stevens. John Fleck and Oli McBurnie are with Scotland, while Mo Besic is part of the Bosnia and Herzegovina squad.
Finally, Dean Henderson has once again been called up by England following an injury to Aston Villa’s Tom Heaton. There have been calls for other Blades to be recognised by Gareth Southgate – most notably Jack O’Connell and John Lundstram.
Yet could there be some more surprising international call-ups in the future? Who in the United squad is actually eligible to play for countries other than their given nationality?
Future international recognition for these Sheffield United stars?
George Baldock
The wing-back is another who has been impressing since the Blades’ promotion to the top flight for the first time in 12 years.
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Baldock scored his first Premier League goal against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend and some are even touting him for the Three Lions.
Yet it turns out the 26-year-old could play for another country.
“Apparently I qualify for Greece,” Baldock told the Sheffield Star. “One of my grandparents was from there and that seems to be good enough.”
(Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Lys Mousset
This is a little more straightforward. Born in France to a French mother, Mousset’s father is from Senegal.
The striker was recognised by France at youth level, earning eight caps and scoring five goals for the Under-21s.
Mousset has also been excellent since joining United this summer, scoring three and assisting three so far.
Yet a senior call-up from Les Bleus still seems some way off. Perhaps he could be tempted by joining Liverpool’s Sadio Mane with Senegal?
Debunking some international myths
While there are those who do qualify for other nations, there are also some other common misconceptions.
John Lundstram
Despite his name, Lundstram does not have any links to Scandinavia. However, if he carries on playing as he has been this term – with three goals to date – then an England call-up for the Liverpudlian might not be too far off.
Jack O’Connell
Another somewhat misleading name, the Irish Mirror reports that O’Connell was actually scouted by Ireland boss Mick McCarthy.
Yet the FAI later discovered the defender does not qualify for the country.
Capped by the Three Lions at Under-18 and Under-19 level, Southgate has been keeping tabs on O’Connell as well though.
