Emile Smith Rowe breaks silence on Arsenal pal Folarin Balogun’s decision over England or USA international allegiance
ARSENAL ace Emile Smith Rowe insists Folarin Balogun has to do “what’s best for him” regarding his international future.
Balogun is currently part of England’s Under-21 side but he can also choose Nigeria and USA, who have expressed an intense interest.
The striker has been shining bright in Ligue 1 this season during his loan stint at Reims from the Gunners as he is second in the league’s goalscoring charts.
Smith Rowe insists he would love to have the 21-year-old in the Three Lions after spending many years playing with him in North London.
However, the playmaker insists that’s his decision and he needs to look after his best interest.
Smith Rowe said: “Of course [I would prefer he choose England], but obviously it’s his decision.
“That’s down to him to do what he wants to do. It would be nice if he could be with us in the summer [for the European Under-21 Championship] but like I said, that’s down to him and he’s got to do what’s best for him.”
England boss Gareth Southgate admits he is impressed with Balogun, who has scored more goals than Paris Saint-Germain superstars Lionel Messi and Neymar this season.
However, Southgate insists the centre-forward, who has registered 17 goals in 27 league appearances, will have to be patient.
The 52-year-old tactician claims Balogun has yet to make his squad due to a lack of Premier League experience.
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Southgate said: “It is up to the player to weigh up where his heart feels. Is he prepared to wait a little bit for an opportunity if he backs himself and feels he can push his way into our squad?
“Because anybody who has followed us will know that we will give young players a chance. So, we cannot go and give first-team call-ups to someone just because we don’t want them to go somewhere else.
“We like Flo. He has obviously not had an opportunity in the Premier League yet, so we have to weigh up those goals to Ivan [Toney], for example, or Ollie Watkins. Or Eddie Nketiah, who has done really well with the opportunity he has had at Arsenal.
“I know there are going to be offers as 80 per cent of our players can play for more than one country now, and we are not arrogant expecting everybody to want to come to play for England. We have to make them feel wanted and feel part of that.”