Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Mick McCarthy offers thoughts on Patrick Bamford’s international prospects
Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has put the emphasis on Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford to take control of his international future.
, the straight-talking McCarthy has reportedly grown tired of chasing up Bamford and looking to get him to play in the famous green.
He : “I’m not going chasing him anymore. It was left on the back-burner and I think it’s up to Patrick. If he rings me up and he wants to play then yes.
“But let me ask you a question. If you’re an Irish player and you thought you were good enough to play for Ireland, what would you do? Would you pick the phone up? That’s what I did. If he wants to play he’s got to.”
Bamford is 25 now and despite the lack of top English strikers right now, does not look close to a senior call up into Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions plans.
He played for Ireland at Under 18 level, but has represented England – he was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire – at Under 19 and Under 21 level.
It’s understandably a tough choice for the striker, but it’s easy to see why McCarthy has left the ball in his court.
International managers have better things to do than asking players who are unsure whether to play to pledge their allegiance.