Wynalda also said the England manager underestimated Balogun, insisting his comment is an example of ‘English arrogance’
By Kehinde Okeowo
Television commentator and former United States forward, Eric Wynalda has claimed that the Three Lions missed out on Arsenal striker, Folarin Balogun, due to the arrogance of the England manager, Gareth Southgate.
Balogun, who grew up in England, was born to Nigerian parents in the United States and therefore eligible to play for the three countries by FIFA rules.
The Gunners striker, however, opted to commit his international future to the United States after announcing last week that he would be representing the country at the senior level, despite playing for England at youth level.
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Speaking on the development on The Action Network, Wynalda noted that England missed out on the young talented striker because of Southgate’s arrogance.
He said: “Gareth Southgate has certainly made some missteps here with his comments about the talented American playing in France. Southgate said: ‘We can’t just hand out international opportunities to a player simply because we don’t want them to play for somebody else’.
“Whoops – If he could take that one back now I think he would.”
The ex-USA international went on to claim that the England manager underestimated the 21-year-old’s ability and that his comment is an example of ‘English arrogance’.
“Southgate has completely underestimated Folarin’s ability and tried to shrug it off. Sorry, but there are times where English arrogance needs to be illuminated and this is one of them,” he added.
Balogun, who is a product of the Arsenal academy, has been in top form this season for French side Reims where he is currently on loan.
And he has found the net a total of 20 times and provided three assists in 35 games in the Ligue 1.
