The senior international future of new Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam lies with the senior national team of Nigeria not with England according to a source close to the 21 year old, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
Last season was meant to be his big breakthrough at Premier League level. Coming off the back of a successful loan at Championship side Queens Park Rangers, he had been tipped to play a greater role at Villa Park. That January, manager Unai Emery decided to keep Iroegbunam ahead of experienced Belgium international Leander Dendoncker and spoke of his “belief” in the youngster’s potential.
But the decisive final step never materialised, and Iroegbunam ended the campaign with just one Premier League start and nine appearances in total.
The disappointment was why he quickly made up his mind to join Everton in a deal worth £9m in transfer fee with winger Lewis Dobbin heading in the opposite direction in a separate deal meant to improve the financial standings of both sides.
Real name Timothy Emeka Iroegbunam, he is an England U21 international who qualifies for Nigeria at senior level due to this parents who are of Nigerian descent. His senior future lies more with the African side than with England according to one of his close associates.
” Tim will play for Nigeria because we had that conversation when he was QPR last season and he didn’t hide it but he can’t call himself up. If the message comes from the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) I can tell you it will be a yes. For now his focus is on stamping his feet in the starting lineup of Everton after a very good pre season showing”, he said.
Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman
