Saints star fancies England switch.
Southampton midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin has opened the door to an England call-up, as he continues to be overlooked by France.
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The 24-year-old has been in England since arriving at Southampton from Strasbourg in 2008 and has stuck with Saints from League One to the Premier League, where he has established himself as a quietly effective performer.
Schneiderlin has been capped at under-21 level from France but with the likes of Paul Pogba, Mathieu Valbuena, Blaise Matuidi and Yohan Cabaye ahead of him in the pecking order, the Saints star is yet to earn full international recognition.
“That’s life,” Schneiderlin is quoted as saying by ITV.
“I left France very young and maybe because I played in the second division they lost me a bit and prefer other players who play in France.
“That’s not up to me, it’s people’s tastes. I just do my best.”
Schneiderlin has spent long enough in England to qualify for residency and there has been some suggestion the player could join team-mates Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw in Roy Hodgson’s squad.
Asked if he would ever consider such a move, he said: “Never say never. Some people tell me I am [eligible], yes, so I think I am.
“Don’t give me any time limit, I’ll just see. Of course it’s frustrating but I just need to keep focused and finish as high as possible and then we’ll see after the World Cup.”
The rise of his English St Mary’s teammates have given Schneiderlin hope and he says the mentality in England is different to in France or Portugal, where Saints centre back Jose Fonte hails from.
“That’s the mentality in France and Portugal,” Schneiderlin said. “More opportunities are given in England.
“In England if you have two months of playing very well you’re ready and on the list to play for England but that’s not the case in France.
“Even if me and Jose have three good years we’re still not in our national team, but that’s life.
“We just need to carry on, maybe we’re unlucky to come from France and Portugal.”