It’s been a while since any international football took place thanks to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
With the top European leagues that decided to play their seasons to a conclusion now mostly having done so in relative calm, the expectation is that internationals will shortly recommence, albeit behind closed doors.
Gareth Southgate has, for a number of years now, steered the England ship in the right direction and with the 2021 European Championship on the horizon, he will surely want to bed down his Three Lions squad as quickly as practicable over the next few friendly matches.
One player that should be interesting him is Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed a breakout season under Mikel Arteta, and at international level has already represented England as a junior and U19 player.
However, the Daily Mail report that Nigeria are preparing to snatch him from under Southgate’s nose and have him represent the Super Eagles.
The Nigerians have been successful before when targeting English youth players, such as Victor Moses and Alex Iwobi.
If Saka were allowed to follow the same path, it would be a travesty for Southgate, who will need to move quickly in order to have the player wearing the England senior team shirt.