Eddie Nketiah has a ‘real opportunity’ to push himself toward his first senior England cap, amid a ‘dearth of English centre-forwards.
Fresh off a match-winning display, the Three Lions’ U21 record goalscorer may soon be part of Gareth Southgate’s plans, according to Gary Neville.
‘Nketiah you look at him and the dearth of English centre-forwards…I think he’s got a real opportunity at the moment,’ Neville said on the Gary Neville podcast, of the striker’s national team chances.
‘(Dominic) Calvert-Lewin’s not quite there at the moment. (Callum) Wilson is good, but is he going to be around another three, four five years? Harry Kane, we know, is fantastic. (Jamie) Vardy obviously is not here anymore.’
While the bright lights of Wembley may be on the minds of his supporters, Neville believes Nketiah would do well to remain focused on the promising role he is currently undertaking.
‘But at the moment, the best thing that Eddie Nketiah can do is really just contribute to this Arsenal team and this very special run that they’re on,’ he said. ‘And this very special season that they’re having.’
Nketiah’s international future is still undecided despite turning down Ghana prior to the World Cup.
While the decision was a blow to the Black Stars, Nketiah has yet to declare his intention to play for England, nor rule out ever appearing for the country of his parents.
Nketiah may not posses the same fear factor as some of the top strikers across the Premier League, Neville believes he can still cause havoc.
‘I want my strikers to not only score goals but threaten space in-behind, really give centre backs a difficult time and he’s done that in all the games that I’ve watched.
‘I thought he was fantastic today, and if you work as hard as he does, what you do is get your rewards at the right moments.’
And that he did with a 24th minute equaliser, before a stoppage time winner in the 3-2 win over Manchester United, leaving them five points clear at the top.
