From Edu to Mikel Arteta, England managers have been trying to convince the Premier League’s foreign stars to line-up for the Three Lions, for years.
None of them have ever taken the bait, though – partly because it’s against home nation rules, but mainly because England are useless, and most players worth their salt would rather win just a handful caps for their preferred nation than pull on the Three Lions shirt a hundred times.
There are those players, however, that England could have had – players who were either born in the country, moved there at a young age, or have an English parent – but have chosen (quite sensibly) to represent another country instead.
Victor Moses
England fans probably weren't regretting this one until Conte converted him from a stuttering winger to a marauding wing-back. Moses, however, has long since snubbed the Three Lions in favour of Nigeria. Image Source: Twitter
Harry Kewell
Australia's answer to David Beckham could have lined up alongside the man himself, but opted for Australia instead, who have as many recent tournament wins as England. Image Source: Twitter
Alex Iwobi
It's going to be painful for England fans to watch the Nigerian forward - nephew of Jay-Jay Okocha - develop at Arsenal, but at least they have Oxlade-Chamberlain to fall back on. Image Source: Twitter
Wilfried Zaha
Zaha made his England debut in 2012, but they made the mistake of not tying him down with a competitive cap, and he's finally decided to make a go of it with the Ivory Coast. Image Source: Twitter
Lewis Holtby
In the England squad, Holtby would be a classy midfielder of 60 or 70 caps. For Germany, he's just the guy who isn't as good as Kroos, Gundogan, Khedira or Bender. Image Source: Twitter
Aaron Hunt
Half-English Aaron Hunt has had a solid career in the Bundesliga, but hasn't played for Germany since 2013, and probably would have found it easier competing with Andros Townsend than with Thomas Muller. Image Source: Twitter
Kevin De Bruyne
Not only would KDB be England's best player, but he'd probably be the man to finally end Rooney's painful international career. Alas, he saw the light and picked Belgium instead. Image Source: Twitter
Oliver Burke
Bundesliga star Burke is already a regular in the Scotland squad, but the winger could have played for England - and after the recent hammering at Wembley might be regretting his decision. Image Source: Twitter
Cheer up, though, England fans – you still have Jordan Henderson. Oh, and Phil Jagielka. And Danny Drinkwater. And, well, a whole host of woefully average footballers.
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