Ibe: Why I Chose England Over Nigeria

Jordon Ibe has decided to commit his global future to England despite being courted by Nigeria coach Sunday Oliseh.

“I want Jordon to fight for his place in the team like everyone else”.

The African nation approached the youngster in August to try to persuade him to switch his global allegiance, but Liverpool announced on Tuesday that their player has committed himself to England in the hope of eventually receiving a call-up to the senior squad.

Ibe is eligible to play for Nigeria through his father and was courted by Super Eagles coach Oliseh, who wished the player luck after being informed of his decision. They play for the Under-21s because they want to play for England.

“It was great and I enjoyed myself”, he added. I felt as though [Liverpool team-mate] Joe Gomez and I did well.

Ibe has played in all five Premier League games this season for the Reds, starting in the first two before coming on as a substitute in the other clashes.

“You want to represent your country well”.

England’s manager, Roy Hodgson, has praised Ibe, who he said was brought to his attention by the former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard.

Ibe may well get a chance to play in the full England side sooner rather than later as Hodgson’s men have already qualified for Euro 2016 and face Estonia and Lithuania in October – with both games now labelled as a “dead rubber”.