'He'll play for England' - Austria boss Rangnick clears the air on future of Carney Chukwuemeka

Austria national team manager Ralf Rangnick has clarified that Chelsea midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka remains committed to the England national teams amid speculation in the  media suggesting that he has been approached by Austria to switch nationalities.

Born in Eisenstadt, Austria, Chukwuemeka is eligible to represent the Austrians, England where he was raised as well as the Super Eagles by virtue of being born to parents who are citizens of Nigerian. 

However, the English Football Association are the frontrunners for his services as he is provisionally cap-tied to the 1966 world champions and he has also made it clear his international future lies with England. 

"It's also my dream to play for my country England," Chukwuemeka said in December 2022.

"I've set my self this goal to play at EURO 2024. Obviously, I've got to keep on working hard and then we'll see what happens."

Chukwuemeka made his first competitive appearance for the Young Lions in a  European U19 Championship qualifier against Andorra in November 2021, and also has caps for England at U17, U18 and U20 levels. 

Rangnick revealed that he has his eye on dual nationals but stressed that there is nothing in the reports claiming that contact has been made with Chukwuemeka to switch his allegiance to his country of birth. 

In quotes relayed by Austrian newspaper Der Standard, Rangnick said in a media parley with the Austrian Sports Journalists' Association : "For all we know, he (Chuwkuemeka) will play for England".

Barring an injury, Chuwkuemeka is one of the Nigeria-eligible stars that will represent England at this summer's FIFA U20 World Cup in Argentina. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit : Twitter

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