Dump Nigeria, stick with England

Swansea boss Paul Clement is hoping striker Tammy Abraham will commit his allegiance to England with Nigeria attempting to lure him into their fold.

Reports on Thursday suggested the Nigeria Football Federation is hopeful of persuading the England Under-21 international, who qualifies for the African nation through his father, to switch countries.

Club manager Clement insists he will play no part in the youngster’s decision, but is keeping his fingers crossed that he decides to stay where he is.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday Premier League clash with Watford, the Swans boss said: “For me, from my point of view, I hope he stays with the English national team.

“I’m not sure he’d be better off career-wise, I’m saying it because I’m English and he’s a good English talent, so you want him involved with your national team.

“Ultimately, it’s the decision of the player. In some cases, they’ll make the choice because they see a better opportunity, a chance of playing more regularly at international level and in other cases, it’s because it’s where they believe they’re from and they want to represent the country where they were born or where their parents were born and it’s in their culture.

“Whatever their reasons are, it’s down to the player to decide.

“The fact that he’s come through the English system, first at Academy level and also playing for the English national teams, I think that puts them at an advantage.”

Abraham, 19, is currently on loan at the Liberty Stadium from Chelsea and has scored two goals in seven appearances to date.

Clement has been happy with his contribution in South Wales so far, and is confident there is more to come.

He said: “He has made the biggest step of his career. I’m not surprised how he’s done so far, I think he’s done fine and he’s going to get better and better.

“The biggest step in going to the Premier League. You see it so many times, young players making the step and how difficult it is, how difficult it is for foreign players to come over and make that step into this league.

“He’s done lots of good things and he’s done some things where he could have improved, but he’s in a good environment to get the right kind of help. Myself, the coaches work with all our players helping them get better at what they’re not so good at.”