Arsenal star hits out after missing out on England squad place

Arsenal’s on-loan striker Folarin Balogun has hit out after he was not included in England’s latest squad.

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The 21-year-old has been in sublime form on loan at Reims this season, scoring 16 goals in Ligue 1 so far, which is only three fewer than Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.

Balogun has been a regular at Under-21 level with England but is yet to make his senior debut for the Three Lions.

The Arsenal forward, who was born in New York, has alternatives at international level as he would be able to represent the USA and Nigeria, the birthplace of his parents.

And it appears Balogun is considering his options carefully, judging by his Instagram post shortly after Gareth Southgate announced his latest England squad for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine next week.

After it was confirmed that Balogun will not be in line for his first senior England cap, the Arsenal striker wrote in a post on Instagram: ‘In life go where your [sic] appreciated. B easy.’

Speaking this week, USA’s interim manager Anthony Hudson revealed that talks are ongoing with Balogun over representing them at senior level.

‘With Flo, all I’ll say, there is open dialogue with him and his team,’ Hudson said. ‘That dialogue is continuing. That’s all I can say.’

LATEST ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal)

Defenders: Ben Chilwell (Chelsea), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Reece James (Chelsea), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), James Maddison (Leicester City), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham)

Forwards: Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Ivan Toney (Brentford)

Meanwhile, Balogun revealed earlier this season that he was open to the idea of playing for Nigeria.

“I haven’t heard anything from Nigeria, but I’m open to anything because Nigeria is very close to my heart,’ he told BBC Sport Africa.

‘My family’s from there. I always have love for Nigeria.

‘That’s a conversation that I need to have with people around me, my agent and obviously my family.

‘But if I was asked about the opportunity to play for Nigeria, then I can have that conversation. But first I need to be asked.’

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During his press conference on Thursday, Southgate explained the reasons behind the decision to include Ivan Toney in his squad, despite the Brentford striker being charged with alleged breaches of the FA’s betting rules.

‘The fact is that he is available for his club, there hasn’t been any trial or judgement as yet, so I don’t know any basis not to pick him really,’ Southgate said.

‘I think before the World Cup, Callum Wilson hit form at just the right time. He has had a little bit of an injury that has inhibited his performance in the last few weeks.

‘As soon as we named our squad, he had a brilliant game at Manchester City which is typical. He is playing really well. I like his presence in games.

‘I saw his game at Arsenal where he was outstanding and he deserves his opportunity.’

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